Advanced Pain Management Fellowship
Program Overview
Advanced Pain Management Fellowship
The Advanced Pain Management Fellowship at the USF College of Nursing redefines how pain is understood and treated. Moving beyond traditional views that link pain solely to tissue damage, the program emphasizes physical, psychological, and social factors that shape the pain experience—an approach critical to addressing the nation’s $560–635 billion annual pain-related costs.
Program Description
This innovative advanced pain management certificate for certified registered nurse anesthetist providers offers the following features:
- Rigorous clinical and academic fellowship program
- Five sequential courses over three consecutive semesters
- Evidence-based guidelines in understanding and treating both acute and chronic pain
- Focus on the concept of pain beyond traditional views of interpretation and modulation of nociceptive impulses
Certification Details
Application Process
The application process involves submitting the following materials:
- A copy of your transcript from a Nurse Anesthesia program
- Curriculum Vitae
- Letter of Interest
- Reference letter from a supervising clinician/clinical colleague
- Copy of an active NBCRNA card
- Copy of current nursing license
Application Deadlines
The application for Fall 2026 admission is currently open and will close on June 1, 2026.
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 is required.
Prerequisites
Practicing nurse anesthetist (CRNA)
Tuition and Fees
The Pain Management certificate program follows the same tuition structure as our Nurse Anesthesia program. Tuition and fees are subject to change, and students should visit the University Controller's Office for the current graduate rates.
Curriculum
This highly innovative online program consists of five courses to be delivered sequentially over three 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.
Curriculum Requirements (15 credits)
- NGR 6471 Concepts of Pain Pathophysiology (3 credits, online)
- NGR 6472 Pharmacology of Pain Management (3 credits, online)
- NGR 6470 Assessment, Radiology, and Psychology of Pain (3 credits, online)
- NGR 6473C Interventional Procedures/Simulations in Pain Management (3 credits, partially online)
- NGR 6474C Pain Management Clinical Residency (3 credits)
Course Sequence
For this special program, class size is limited to 30 students each year. The course sequence is available in the Graduate Catalog.
Course Delivery & Location
The certificate program is online and requires a two-day simulation/cadaver experience at USF CAMLS in Tampa, FL, and on-site clinical residency.
FAQs
- What is the goal of the fellowship? The goal of the Advanced Pain Management Fellowship Program is to provide nurse anesthetists with a fundamental understanding of the pathophysiology, pharmacology, assessment, and interventions relevant for the treatment of pain through academic and clinical experiences.
- What is the mission of the fellowship? To improve patient care and accessibility to care through knowledge and education regarding advanced pain management.
- 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 for pain management.
- How are the courses structured? The first four courses each have eight modules, with faculty-developed video presentations, supporting videos, and learner activities.
- Will I have to come to Tampa? Students are required to come to the CAMLS training facility during the spring semester for a two-day simulation/cadaver experience.
- What is the simulation center like in Tampa? The CAMLS training facility provides hands-on instruction and assessment to ensure learner competency, with standardized patients, ultrasound equipment, fluoroscopy equipment, and simulation models.
- 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 May 2027.
- When are tuition payments due? Tuition payments are due the fifth day of each term.
- When can I apply? The fellowship will accept up to 30 students yearly on a rolling admission basis.
- Will the program make me eligible for the NSPM Examination? The program meets both the academic and simulation course requirements to sit for the NSPM examination.
Program Team
The Advanced Pain Management Fellowship team includes:
- John Maye, PhD, CRNA — Fellowship Director
- David W. Hart, DNP, CRNA, NSPM-C
- J. Benjamin Campbell, MS, CRNA, NSPM-C, LtCol (ret), USAR
- Brian T. Gegel, DNAP, CRNA
- W. Keith Barnhill, Ph.D, CRNA, ARNP
- Steve Marquardt, MSN, CRNA, NSPM-C
- Lisa Pearson, CRNA, NSPM-C
- Brian Bielicki, DNAP, CRNA, NSPM-C
Program Overview
The Advanced Pain Management Fellowship at the USF College of Nursing is a highly innovative online program that provides certified registered nurse anesthetists with the necessary background to understand and treat pain utilizing effective and relevant evidence-based guidelines. The program consists of five courses delivered sequentially over three consecutive semesters, with a focus on the concept of pain beyond traditional views of interpretation and modulation of nociceptive impulses. The fellowship is accredited through the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs and is designed to prepare nurse anesthetists to meet the growing demand for pain management and develop opioid-sparing strategies to improve the treatment of pain.