During semesters six (6) through nine (9), MTSA students may have the opportunity to participate in a mission trip located outside the United States. The mission program at MTSA helps to fulfill the mission statement of the school. MTSA will accommodate scheduling for a limited number of students to take part in the MTSA-sponsored mission trips. MTSA may provide limited financial support to students for their participation through limited fundraising activities. All participation is voluntary. Students may be allowed to participate in mission trips not sponsored by the MTSA mission program.
MTSA Procedure for Mission Trips
- MTSA may financially sponsor student participation in a limited capacity.
- MTSA may be able to accommodate scheduling for a limited number of students to take part in some mission trips.
- Students are never permitted to participate in mission trips as the sole or primary anesthesia provider and must be accompanied by qualified CRNA and/or anesthesiologist supervisors.
- A valid passport is required to participate in a mission trip.
- Students are not permitted to record any anesthetics or procedures performed on mission trips in their case logs, as the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Programs (COA) does not allow these to be counted toward their required numbers of cases and procedures.
- The logistics associated with scheduling and accommodating requests are complex, and students should understand that not all requests may be honored.
- Any student who has been on any type of probation or suspension during the program is not eligible to participate.
- Mission trips will be approved only during semesters six (6) through nine (9). After the Senior Schedule is published, specialty rotation sites are confirmed, and the “vacation drawing” has occurred, the student may make a request for participation in a mission trip.
- A complete description of the mission trip, mission sponsors, and itinerary must be submitted with the request. After review by the Program Administrator and review of the clinical schedules, the requests may either be granted or denied.
*Any days during the trip that are not spent in the operating room or clinic will be counted as vacation days. (I.e. excursions, tours, safaris, beach days, etc.)