Dec 12, 2024  
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

Nurse Anesthesiology, D.N.P.


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This Major shares core requirements with the Nursing, D.N.P.  

Please note – students admitted to this major for Summer 2025 must meet the new national standards and accreditation requirements, which will be listed in the 2025-2026 Graduate Catalog.  Contact the director of your program at the College of Nursing for more information if needed.


The Major in Nurse Anesthesiology leading to a Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) degree prepares its graduates for careers as nurse Anesthetists. Successful completion of the Doctor of Nursing Practice’s Nurse Anesthesiology degree program qualifies students to take appropriate national certification examinations and apply for state licensure.

Graduate Major Objectives:

  1. Develop, implement and evaluate new evidence-based practice approaches to caring for patients in the peri-anesthetic environment.
  2. Ensure accountability for quality care and patient safety for varied patient populations, displaying sensitivity to various cultural norms in the application of scientific principles of care.
  3. Demonstrate the ability to apply appropriate analytics for the evaluation and application of scientific evidence toinform clinical practice.
  4. Utilize technological information systems to evaluate outcomes of care, healthcare delivery and qualityimprovement
  5. Provided the leadership necessary to develop health care policy in order to improve patient safety, improve health care financing, reducing the barriers to pain management and improving patient access to care.
  6. Develop trans-disciplinary teams who collaboratively address the health care needs of individuals and populations.
  7. Analyze epidemiological, bio-statistical, environmental and occupational data for the development,implementation and evaluation of programs of population health.
  8. Provide clinical practice incorporating bio/psycho/social, cultural, economic, ethical and scientific principles.

 

Accreditation: 
Council on Accreditation of Nursing Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA)
 

Admission Information

Must meet University Admission and English Proficiency requirements, as well as requirements for admission to the major and requirements listed in the introductory portion of the college catalog section.

  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing or the equivalent degree in nursing from a foreign institution.
  • Must meet University Admission GPA requirements.
  • 3.00 minimum Nursing GPA.
  • 3.00 minimum Nursing Prerequisite GPA
    Required Undergraduate Coursework includes: Pathophysiology (3 credits), Pharmacology (3 credits), Anatomy and Physiology (6 credits), Chemistry (3 credits), Statistics (3 credits) – with a grade of B or Better. If prerequisite science coursework is greater than ten years old, repeating or supplementing with a refresher course at the undergraduate level is highly recommended.
  • Minimum Quantitative and Verbal combined score of 292 and mininum 3.00 Writing score on Graduate Record Examination (GRE), taken within five years of application
  • Current unencumbered license as a registered nurse and/or advanced practice nurse in the state of Florida before October 30th. Students must have a RN license in the United States prior to admission.
  • Three letters of recommendation, indicating potential for graduate study, from persons who can attest to the applicant’s academic ability, clinical competence, and commitment. The Nurse Anesthesiology Major requires one letter from each of the following: current nursing supervisor, CRNA or physician anesthesiologist, current or prior nursing faculty.
  • Personal statement of goals
  • Current resume or curriculum vitae
  • A minimum of one current year (12 months) of experience as an RN in an aggressive adult and/or pediatric Intensive Care Unit (ICU) must be completed prior to matriculation into the program.
  • Current Basic Life support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are required.
  • Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) Certification and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) is highly recommended.

    “A critical care area is defined as one where, on a routine basis, the registered professional nurse manages one or more of the following: invasive hemodynamic monitors (such as pulmonary artery catheter, CVP, arterial); cardiac assist devices; mechanical ventilation; and vasoactive infusions. Examples of critical care units may include but are not limited to: Surgical Intensive Care, Cardiothoracic Intensive Care, Coronary Intensive Care, Medical Intensive Care, and Pediatric Intensive Care. Those who have experiences in other areas may be considered provided they can demonstrate competence with managing unstable patients, invasive monitoring, ventilators, and critical care pharmacology.”
    ‐ Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Programs.
     
  • Current Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life support (PALS) Certifications must be maintained while in program.
  • A personal interview with the CRNA Program Panel is required
  • Statement of good physical, mental, and emotional health to be verbally provided during interview.

Curriculum Requirements


The D.N.P. in Nurse Anesthesiology requires completion of the credit hours required by the Major. Sequencing of courses is particularly important and academic advisors work with students to design full‐time program plans in the major. The classes contain the principles and practices in all applications of Anesthesiology. The Nurse Anesthesiology major is independent of the USF academic calendar. During certain rotations in the clinical phase, weekends, nights, and 24‐hour rotations will be expected.

Total Minimum Hours - 94 Credit Hours Post-bachelors

  • Shared Core Requirements - 15 Credit Hours
  • Additional Required Courses - 75 Credit Hours
  • Doctoral Project - 4 Credit Hours

Additional Required Courses (75 Credit Hours)


Comprehensive Qualifying Examination


Comprehensive competency testing is done through two mechanisms. Currently this requirement is typically fulfilled during the final semester of study and consists of:

  • One is a comprehensive oral boards examination which is evaluated by a faculty panel.
  • The other mechanism is through the Self‐Evaluation Exam (SEE) which is created by the NBCRNA for Nurse Anesthetists who oversees national certification and professional licensure. The SEE is required twice during the major.

Doctoral Project (4 Credit Hours Minimum)


Dissertation


This is a clinical program; no dissertation is required

Course Sequence


The following is the scheduled course sequence.  This is subject to change pending faculty availability.  Students should confirm the sequence as part of their advising and Program of Study.

Total Credit Hours: 94
Estimated Clinical Hours: 3600

 

Summer Semester 1

     Semester Total     12    

Fall Semester 2

     Semester Total    12  

 
Spring Semester 3

     Semester Total    16  

 
Summer Semester 4

     Semester Total    12    

Fall Semester 5

     Semester Total    13    

Spring Semester 6

     Semester Total    8    


Summer Semester 7

     Semester Total     8    


Fall Semester 8

     Semester Total    7    


Spring Semester 9

     Semester Total    6    

 

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