Program Overview

Program Description

The Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) program at Florida State University Panama City is a comprehensive, 36-month doctoral curriculum designed to prepare future nurse anesthesiologists for advanced clinical practice and leadership in anesthesia care. The program is rooted in evidence-based practice, professionalism, and critical decision-making, equipping students with the knowledge and hands-on skills needed to safely deliver anesthesia across a wide range of surgical and procedural settings.

Program Structure

Students are immersed in an integrated curriculum that balances advanced didactic coursework with high-fidelity simulation and robust clinical training. The program includes a Scholarly Inquiry Project, where students investigate relevant clinical or quality improvement topics and present their work at local or national professional meetings.

Clinical Training

With access to over 40 clinical sites across Florida and the Southeast, students gain diverse experiences in a variety of healthcare systemsfrom major academic medical centers to rural hospitals. This ensures well-rounded exposure to all patient populations, case complexities, and anesthesia techniques.

Accreditation

The program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Mission Statement

The mission of the Florida State University Nurse Anesthesia Program is to advance the science and practice of anesthesiology through rigorous scientific education, evidence-based clinical practice, and the integration of clinical training into real-world careultimately serving the health and well-being of citizens at both the local and national levels.

Graduation Requirements

In addition to standard Florida State University graduation requirements, students must satisfactorily complete all courses with a 3.0 or better grade point average on a 4.0 scale and complete the clinical case requirements as set by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).

Faculty

The program is led by a dedicated and nationally recognized faculty, including:

• R. Kyle Hodgen, DNP, ACNP, CRNA, LtCol, USAF (ret.)
• Lonnie Hodges, DNP, APRN, CRNA, CHSE, LtCol, USAF (ret.)
• Gerard Hogan, DNSc., APRN-BC, CRNA, FAANA, LtCol, USAF (ret.)
• Jason Smith, DNAP, APRN, CRNA
• Scott Stewart, DNAP, APRN, CRNA
• Stacey VanDyke, DNP, APRN, CRNA, FAANA, LtCol, USAF (ret.)

Academic Calendar

The program's academic calendar ensures that course objectives are met. Clinical practicum courses follow a 365 calendar rather than the FSU academic calendar. Anesthesia clinical practicum placement will begin prior to the official beginning of the semester and continue through term breaks.

Admission

The Nurse Anesthesia Program admits 34-36 students once a year. The application deadline for consideration of a spot in the DNAP cohort commencing Summer 2026 is January 15, 2026.

Tuition

Tuition is the same for both in-state and out-of-state students, making this high-quality program both accessible and competitive.

Program Outcomes

Graduates of the DNAP program are eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination and consistently achieve a 100% first-time pass rate and 100% employment within six months of graduation.