Program Overview

Introduction to the Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesiology Program

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Nurse Anesthesiology at the University of South Florida (USF) is a rigorous, 94-credit, nine-semester, full-time program designed to prepare registered nurses to become advanced practice providers with expert scientific knowledge, evidence-based skills, and the ability to practice autonomously across all anesthesia settings. The program partners with the Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation (CAMLS), a state-of-the-art simulation experience, which is integrated into the curriculum.

Program Overview

• The DNP in Nurse Anesthesiology program is USF’s highest clinical practice degree in nursing.
• It prepares students to become Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) in diverse settings.
• The program includes cutting-edge tools, such as human anesthesia simulation, and an integrated classroom and clinical environment.
• Students gain advanced clinical judgment, systems thinking, and the skills to serve as CRNAs.

Admission Requirements

• Admission is highly competitive.
• Applicants must meet University Admission and English Proficiency requirements.
• Specific criteria for admission to the major include:
  • Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from an accredited institution and CCNE or ACEN-accredited Nursing program or the equivalent degree in Nursing from a foreign institution.
  • Overall GPA must meet USF Graduate Admissions requirements.
  • Minimum 3.0 Nursing-specific GPA.
  • Completed graduate application to the University of South Florida.
  • Completed and “verified” NursingCAS application by the published deadline.
  • Prerequisite courses with a B- grade or lower must be retaken.
  • Recommended to retake courses older than 10 years.
  • Prerequisite courses include:
    • Anatomy and Physiology (6 credits).
    • Statistics (3 credits).
    • Chemistry (3 credits).
    • Pathophysiology (3 credits).
    • Pharmacology (3 credits).
  • 1 year of full-time ICU experience by the time the program begins.
  • Personal Statement.
  • GRE within the past 5 years.
  • Minimum combined verbal/quantitative score: 292.
  • Minimum writing score: 3.0.
  • Three letters of recommendation.
  • Current unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse in the state of Florida before classes begin.
  • Certifications: Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN).
  • A virtual personal interview is required for admission.

Curriculum

• The program is a full-time lock-step program, which requires that all cohorts take all their courses together.
• The curriculum includes a comprehensive education in anesthesia care, from major hospitals to rural clinics.
• For full details, please refer to the USF Graduate Catalog.

Application Process

• Applicants who meet the admission requirements should complete the following steps:
  • Submit a USF Graduate Admissions Application.
  • Submit a NursingCAS Application.
  • All required documentation must be submitted to NursingCAS by the deadline for consideration.
• A personal interview with faculty is also required.

International Admissions

• Foreign Transcripts: Coursework and degrees completed outside the U.S. require a course-by-course evaluation from a USF Graduate School–approved agency.
• English Language: Applicants from countries where English is not the official language must demonstrate English proficiency.

Technical Standards & Health Requirements

• Nurse anesthesiology is physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding.
• All applicants must meet the technical standards required for safe, competent anesthesia practice.
• Students must have the physical and emotional endurance to succeed in the rigorous DNP Nurse Anesthesiology program.

Substance Abuse Considerations

• The anesthesiology profession has one of the highest rates of substance abuse among healthcare fields.
• Individuals with a history of substance abuse are strongly encouraged to explore alternative nursing pathways.

Health, Conduct & Performance

• The College reserves the right to recommend withdrawal or dismissal for students whose health, conduct, academic, or clinical performance falls below program standards.

Important Information

• All admitted students must complete the following before the first week of class:
  • Background check.
  • Immunization verification.
  • Drug screening.
  • Proof of current health insurance.

Scholarships & Financial Aid

• At the USF College of Nursing, scholarships and financial aid are available to assist nursing students in achieving their academic goals.

Student Handbook

• The Nurse Anesthesiology Student Handbook provides comprehensive procedures, guidelines, and essential information for students enrolled in the Nurse Anesthesiology Program.

Graduate Certificate

• The Advanced Pain Management Fellowship at USF College of Nursing offers an innovative certificate for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists.

FAQs

• Program Structure: The admission class size is approximately 60 students annually.
• Program History & Accreditation: The USF Nurse Anesthesia master's program received accreditation and admitted its first class in 2006.
• Admissions & Requirements: The status "Recommended for Admission" means that the college has recommended an individual for admission to the graduate school.
• Student & Alumni Engagement: Current students attend interviews to allow applicants a chance to ask questions during the tour.
• Outcomes & Success Metrics: The first attempt pass rate on the National Certification Exam (NCE) for the most recently graduated DNP Nurse Anesthesiology Major cohort was 95.5%.

Our Faculty

• Michelle Canale, DNP, CRNA, APRN, FAANA: Assistant Dean and Director, Nurse Anesthesiology Program.
• Sierra Gower, PhD, CRNA, APRN: Instructor, Nurse Anesthesiology Program.
• Karla Maldonado, DrAP, CRNA, APRN, FAANA: Assistant Professor and Assistant Director, Nurse Anesthesiology Program.
• John Maye, PhD, CRNA, APRN: Professor, Nurse Anesthesiology Program; Director, Affiliated Fellowships and Pain Management Education Coordinator.
• Erik Rauch, DNP, CRNA, APRN, NSPM-C: Assistant Professor, Nurse Anesthesiology Program.
• Eleanor Rawson, DNP, CRNA, APRN, CHSE: Assistant Professor, Nurse Anesthesiology Program.
• Kenneth Wofford, PhD, CRNA, CHSE, FAWM, DiMM: Associate Professor, Nurse Anesthesiology Program.
• Sarah Jingying Zhang, PhD, CRNA, APRN: Associate Professor, Nurse Anesthesiology Program.
• Cindi Dabney, PhD, DNP, CRNA, APRN: Assistant Professor, Nurse Anesthesiology Program.
• Mayte Diaz, DNP, CRNA, APRN: Assistant Professor, Nurse Anesthesiology Program.
• Adam Davies, DNP, CRNA, APRN: Assistant Professor and Simulation Coordinator, Nurse Anesthesiology Program.