Nurse Anesthetist MSN Track

Admission Requirements
Application Deadline
How to Apply
Application Processing & Other Expectations
Program Curriculum
Additional Technical Admission & Retention Standards
Administrative Policies & Procedures
Accreditation

Profession & Program Description

There are nearly 30,000 Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) in the nation today. They administer over 65% of the anesthesia in the United States. In some rural states, that percentage is significantly higher.  They are licensed in all states and serve as commissioned officers in all branches of the military as well as the United States Public Health Service. Studies conducted by the federal government have detailed the need for many more CRNAs in the U.S. today.

Our nation has a significant shortfall of these invaluable Nurse Specialists. The administration of anesthesia by nurses is not a new development in health care. They have a long and distinguished history. Nurses were first specialists in the administration of anesthesia and their history dates to the 1800's.

The first organized program to teach the administration of anesthesia was not founded until the early 20th century. In 1915, chief nurse anesthetist Agatha Hodgins established the Lakeside Hospital School of Anesthesia in Cleveland, Ohio. This program was open to graduate nurses, physicians, and dentists. The training was 6 months, and the tuition was $50.00. A diploma was awarded on completion. In its first year, the program graduated 6 physicians, 2 dentists, and 11 nurses. Later, in 1918, it established a system of clinical affiliations with other Cleveland hospitals. The only post-graduate training just for physicians in circa 1920 was a one-month course in Ohio conducted by E. I. McKesson. Obviously, many factors have changed since then and the number of anesthesia specialists, both physicians and nurses, has increased since then. The length and cost of programs has also increased.

About the program

Anesthesiology Nursing is a clinical specialty track within the School of Nursing at the University of North Florida.  The School of Nursing has several innovative Advanced Practice specialty areas. Anesthesiology Nursing is the latest Advanced Practice track to be added to the MSN program. With over 18,000 students, UNF is a major component of the State University System of Florida. UNF houses an extensive number of academic programs, including more than 80 programs at the Master's and Doctoral levels.

The CRNA curriculum is an extremely rigorous academic and clinical undertaking. It consists of a seven (7) semester continuous program of full-time graduate study. The program is approved by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs.  Graduates are eligible to take the National Certification Examination to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) as well as to obtain the ARNP (in nurse anesthesia) credential from the Florida Board of Nursing.

This program is the only university-based program in Florida preparing CRNAs outside the greater Miami metropolitan area. The total amount of in-state tuition and fees for the entire program is currently approximately $30,000. This amount is subject to change. Clinical sites include both military and civilian healthcare facilities.  Sites include community hospitals and the only Level-I trauma unit in northeast Florida. 

 

This is a limited and competitive admissions program, and it is expected that the number of applicants will exceed the available positions.  Application materials will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee, and those selected for interview will be invited.

Applicants to the MSN program must meet general University requirements for admission to graduate studies.  In order to be considered for the MSN Anesthesiology Nursing Advanced Practice Track, the interested applicant must meet these additional requirements:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a nationally accredited program (or other appropriate discipline) from an accredited institution*
• A minimum of one year experience as a Registered Nurse in a critical care setting
• Admission to the graduate nursing program
• Minimum score of 1000 on the GRE (combined verbal and quantitative)
• Written statement of academic and professional goals
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from undergraduate nursing major (last 60+ hours)
• Current Licensure as a Registered Nurse in Florida
• Successful completion of Health Assessment, Statistics, and Research Courses within the past 10 years
• References and interview will be required

*RNs who have a baccalaureate degree in a discipline other than nursing may also be eligible for admission through the MSN Bridge option.  For these students the bridge courses are integrated into the Anesthesiology Nursing curriculum, thus not lengthening the program of study.  As an alternative, bridge courses may be taken prior to admission to the program and prior to beginning Anesthesiology Nursing courses. 

Although ACLS and CPR certification is not required to apply, ACLS and CPR are required prior to enrollment. PALS will be required prior to graduation. Transfer students from another Nurse Anesthesia Program must request a letter from the Program Director of their previous program that they were in good standing at the time of withdrawal. Applicants with prior graduate work should note the University limits the number of transfer credits to 6 semester hour credits. Only credits earned at regionally accredited institution will be considered for transfer.

Application Deadline

The annual Nurse Anesthetist MSN application deadline is November 15 of every year.  This is the deadline by which to submit all application materials to the UNF Graduate School.

How to apply

     1. UNF Graduate Application for Admission

         Online
            Create a login name and password.  Login and select the University of North Florida from the drop down list of schools,              then select the graduate application.  Select “Nurse Anesthetist, MSN” as your major.  Leave the major specialization             area blank.

         Paper 

     2. Graduate Student Update Form (for returning applicants/students)

All applicants are responsible for ensuring that applications, necessary application fees, transcripts, test scores, and supplemental materials are submitted directly to the UNF Graduate School at 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224.  Receipt of materials may be verified with the Graduate School at 904.620.1360.  All materials must be received by the application deadline for consideration.  Do not submit materials to the School of Nursing unless requested to do so please.

Basic & Supplemental Materials

Please submit the following items to:

The Graduate School
University of North Florida
1 UNF Drive
Jacksonville, FL  32224

1. $30 Application Fee (payable to UNF)
2. Official transcripts from all colleges attended
3. Office GRE scores from ETS
4. Current curriculum vita or resume
5. Copy of Florida RN license
6. Position paper, no longer than 500 words in length, describing why you have chosen to seek admission to a Nurse Anesthesia Program an how you have prepared yourself for that undertaking
7. Three (3) Letters of Reference from individuals qualified to render an opinion regarding your qualification to undertake the study of anesthesia and nursing at the graduate level

All applicants are responsible for ensuring that materials are submitted directly to the UNF Graduate School by the deadline.  Receipt of materials may be verified with the Graduate School at 904.620.1360.  All materials must be received by the application deadline for consideration. 

In addition to the above items, please submit (mail or fax) the following to:

• Unofficial transcripts
• GRE scores

Administrative Policies & Procedures (pdf)

The Administrative Policies/Procedures Manual is designed to reflect the Standards and Guidelines Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (2004) and to meet the needs of Program administrators, faculty and students. The manual is divided into two compoments: (1) policies/procedures related to administration and fcaulty; and (2) policies/procedures related to curriculum and students.

Program Curriculum

Accreditation


The University of North Florida is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of the University of North Florida. Individual contact to the Commission on Colleges about the University of North Florida accreditation status should occur only if there is evidence that appears to support significant noncompliance with a requirement or standard.

UNF School of Nursing, including the MSN Program, is fully accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (61 Broadway, 33rd Floor New York, NY 1000 {800-669-1656}) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530 Washington, DC 20036-1120,(202) 463-6930.

The UNF Nurse Anesthetist Program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA) of Nurse Anesthesia Education Programs (222 S. prospect Ave, Park Ridge, IL 60068 {847-692-7050}).

Contact the School of Nursing

School of Nursing
Brooks College of Health