Development, Programs, & Services for Students

The Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia (MTSA) recognizes that Student Development Services are essential to the achievement of the educational goals of the institution. Therefore, in keeping with its Mission of preparing quality nurse anesthetists, MTSA provides services that facilitate the overall development of these students. All students at MTSA fit the definition of adult learners. Each has been a practicing professional registered nurse prior to entering this graduate program. Student services provided are specifically tailored to meet the needs of this distinctive group of students.

Services generally considered in the student development area at MTSA for both on and off-campus students include, but are not limited to:

• Advisement in academic and clinical areas,
• Maintenance of student records,
• Assistance with Financial Assistance procurement,
• Provision of information to new students before enrollment related to available housing in the area, upon the student’s request,
• Provision of a list of required and optional textbooks prior to enrollment with suggestions for reading,
• Provision of liability insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 annual and $3,000,000 aggregate,
• Provision of work related accident insurance policy,
• Requirement for students to carry health insurance,
• Arrangement for presentations related to purchase of disability insurance prior to graduation and/or employment,
• Organization of limited social functions,
• Provision of comfortable classroom facilities with state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment,
• Provision of a learning resource center, multiple small group study spaces, and wireless internet access,
• Provision of student lounge space with a kitchenette,
• Provision of an exercise space with exercise equipment,
• Initial coordination of a peer mentoring program where second-year students choose new enrollees as peer mentees and are available for advice and to answer questions about life at MTSA,
• Completion of applications for Nurse Anesthesia Traineeship Grants. If approved, the monies are distributed equitably to students within the grant guidelines.
• Provision of a “Prayer Board” where students may place prayer requests or praises for prayers answered,
• Notification of graduates of their individual scores on the National Certification Examination compared with the scores of their class as a whole and the nation.

Many of these services are published annually in the MTSA Catalog and Student Handbook. By the provision of these services, it is the goal of MTSA to make the program as accommodating to students’ needs as possible. The student services offered at MTSA are evaluated annually by students. The Evaluation Committee meets each semester and reviews the results of all evaluations. Oversight of Student Development Services is one of the functions of the Vice President of Academics of MTSA.