Graduate Certificate

This highly innovative online program consists of four courses to be delivered sequentially over two consecutive semesters. The concepts presented in each course will establish a framework of knowledge intended to impart the certified registered nurse anesthetist with the necessary background to understand and treat pain utilizing effective and relevant evidence based guidelines.

The curriculum in each course will address the concept of pain beyond the traditional views of interpretation and modulation of nociceptive impulses. Pain evolves not only from tissue damaging stimuli, but may also serve as a consequence of the way stress, sleep, and central autonomic nervous system tone affect brain function.

Course Number	Course Name	Credit Hours	Modules
NGR 6470 (Spring Enrollment)	Assessment and Psychology of Pain (online)	3	Advanced Pain Physical Assessment: Performing an Advanced Pain Assessment Physical Assessment Assessment and Interpretation of Diagnostic and Radiologic Studies Comprehending Psychiatric Pain Associated Co-morbidity and Addiction Prevention Strategies for the Reduction of Post-Surgical Pain Assessment Diagnosis and Treatment of Pain Associated with Musculoskeletal Conditions Assessment Diagnosis and Treatment of Headache and Facial Pain Assessment Diagnosis and Treatment of Pain Associated with Neuropathic Conditions Evaluating Pain Relief Measures in Clinical Practice
NGR 6471 (Fall Enrollment)	Concepts of Pain Pathophysiology (online)	3	Basic Mechanisms of Pain Part I Basic Mechanisms of Pain Part II Phases of Pain Common Neuropathic Pain Syndromes Commonly Encountered Painful Conditions Genetics of Pain Interdisciplinary Pain Management End-of-Life Care Pain Management
NGR 6472 (Fall Enrollment)	Pharmacology of Pain Management (online)	3	Pharmacology of Pain Management: Relationship of the Neurophysiology of Pain and Appropriate Pharmacological Management for Patients. Mechanisms of Analgesia and Clinical Indications for the use of Opioids in Pain Management Mechanisms of Analgesia and Clinical Indications for the use of Antipyretic Analgesics, Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors, and Corticosteroids. Mechanisms of Analgesia and Clinical Indications for the use of Antidepressant, Muscle Relaxants and Anticonvulsant Medications for Pain Management Mechanisms of Analgesia and Clinical Indications for the use of Topical Agents and Local Anesthetics for Pain Management Mechanisms of Analgesia and Clinical Indications for the use of Complementary and Integrative Pain Management Treatments Multimodal Therapeutic Regimens for Pain Management: Combining Pharmaceutical Agents with Complimentary Pain Management Strategies Wellness and Professional Responsibilities for the Health Care Provider: Principles of Opioid Addiction and Detoxification
NGR 6473C* (Spring Enrollment)	Interventional Procedures/Simulations in Pain Management *Please Note: Partially online; student must come to campus for a weekend simulation activity at the Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation – CAMLS. Student must have taken NGR 6470 & 6471 before enrolling in the class.	3	Radiation Safety Transitioning from Evaluation to Intervention Performing Injections of Joints, Bursas, Muscle and Fascial Planes with and without Ultrasound Acute Pain Management with the Use of Ultrasound Guided Regional Anesthesia Interventional Procedures for Treating Pain in Cervical and Thoracic Spine Interventional Procedures for Treating Pain in the Lumbar Spine Interventional Procedures for Treating Pain in the Sacrum, Coccyx, and Pelvis. Common Pharmacological Agents Used in Interventional Procedures and Professional Aspects of Practice.
Total		12

Application Process 

Please visit the Innovative Education’s Graduate Certificates website for the application process and online application for admission. (Note: the application process for fall admission will initiate in mid-December the year prior to the start of the program.)

Program Specific Additional Materials (required to be submitted): 

1. Official transcript from a Nurse Anesthesia program
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Letter of Interest
4. Reference letter from a supervising clinician/clinical colleague
5. Copy of an active NBCRNA card

Submit Additional Materials to:

University of South Florida
Graduate Certificates
USF Innovative Education
4202 E. Fowler Ave., LIB608
Tampa, FL 33620

Application Deadlines

Visit the Innovative Education's Graduate Certificates, How To Apply page for the current deadlines.

Admission Requirements:

Applicants must have a master/doctoral degree from an Accredited Nurse Anesthesia Program and be a Board Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist with a minimum of two years experience at the program start (yearly in August). A minimum 3.0 GPA on all graduate level course work.

Prerequisites:

Practicing nurse anesthetist (CRNA)

Tuition and Fees*:

The Pain Management certificate program follows the same tuition structure as our Nurse Anesthesia program. Note: In-state and out-of-state tuition is the same.

Tuition: $800 per credit hour

Fees: Additional university fees, including distance education fees, are also applicable to the Pain Management program.

For more information, please visit the University Controller's Office for the Current Graduate Rates (state, local and other fees).   

Student Expenses: Travel, hotel accommodations and meals

*Please Note: The tuition and fee information listed above is for estimation purposes and can be subject to change.

(1) What is the purpose of the fellowship?

To provide nurse anesthetists with a fundamental understanding of the pathophysiology, pharmacology, assessment, and intervention relevant for the treatment of chronic pain through academic and simulation/cadaver experiences.

(2) What is the mission of the fellowship?

To improve patient care and accessibility to care through knowledge and education regarding advanced pain management.

(3) What courses will I take and how will it benefit me as a CRNA provider? 

The curriculum will provide a strong base in concepts of pain pathophysiology, pharmacology of pain management, assessment and psychology of pain, and interventional procedures/simulations in pain. Graduates will be prepared to meet the growing demand for pain management and develop opioid sparing strategies improving the treatment of pain. See the Curriculum tab above for a complete list of courses. 

(4) How are the courses structured?

Each of the four courses is composed of eight modules. Each module contains (1) course, (2) modules, and (3) presentation objectives. Each module also contains at least one and sometimes two faculty-developed video presentations with several supporting videos to build on learning concepts. Each module has additional instructional materials with learner activities and assessment outcomes all carefully aligned with the objectives of the course. Learner activities and assessment outcomes are advanced and reflective of a graduate education curriculum with development of manuscripts, power point presentations, discussion board posting, quizzes, and final exams.
 
(5) Will I have to come to Tampa? 

Students are required to come to the CAMLS training facility during the spring semester (usually 1st week of March) for a three-day simulation/cadaver experience.  Under faculty supervision, students will be evaluated as they perform interventional procedures on simulators and human cadavers and as they perform a physical examination on a standardized patient. Visit the CAMLS website for hotels, directions, and parking details.

(6) What is the simulation center like in Tampa?

The CAMLS training facility provides hands-on instruction and assessment to ensure learner competency.  Examples of the learning modalities include standardized patients, ultrasound equipment, fluoroscopy equipment, a CT scanner, cadavers, animal models, and a variety of low and high-fidelity simulation models. Visit the CAMLS website to learn more and explore the facility. 

(7) Is the fellowship accredited? 

The fellowship has received a five-year accreditation through the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs and is accredited through July 2022.

(8) When are tuition payments due?

The fall semester tuition is due the week before classes start (3rd Monday in August) and is one half of the total. The remaining tuition is due for the spring semester and must be paid between Dec. 10 and Jan. 3. 

Note: The university closes for a winter break (typically Dec. 24 - Jan. 1). Please check the Registrar's Academic Calendar for more details.

(9) When can I apply?

The fellowship will accept up to 30 students yearly on a rolling admission basis. You can apply anytime after Feb. 1 of the year you want to matriculate. Each class or cohort will start in August and graduate the following May.

(10) Will the program make me eligible for the NSPM Examination?

The program meets the academic and simulation course requirements to sit for the NSPM examination. However, attendance in the fellowship will only provide one of the three required letters of reference required to sit for the examination. The additional two letters will have to be obtained from clinical practice associates or mentors you work with within the pain field. The student is instructed to obtain the NSPM handbook from the NBCRNA to identify all the requirements. As you read the content of the NSPM examination and the content of the USF Simulation-Based Academic Fellowship in Advanced Pain Management note that approximately 80-85 percent of the content is covered in the fellowship. The prospective fellow would have to find additional resources to cover the gaps.

(11) Will there be a final examination?

The fellowship will utilize the simulation/cadaver experience in March as part of the didactic outcome assessments. The simulation experiences will ensure that retention and application of knowledge has occurred. Each fellow will be graded on their performance of a physical examination with a standardized patient as well as several interventional procedures performed on either a simulator or cadaver.

(12) Can I find a pain mentor to work with clinically?

Although it is not a formal part of the fellowship, some individuals may be referred to pain providers in different locations to facilitate more practical experiences. In most cases, this is done after graduation.

(13) Can I use my VA benefits?

Yes, contact the Office of Veteran Success.  Start this process as early as possible to avoid any delays.

For additional information visit the Innovative Education Office at: http://gradcerts.usf.edu

Note: Admission to a graduate certificate program does not imply automatic acceptance into a graduate degree program.

All information contained on this page is for informational purposes only.