Nurse Anesthetist MSN Track
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.
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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
Nurse Anesthetist 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 one of several university-based programs in Florida. 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 in the State of Florida. Sites include community private based hospitals, two Level-I trauma centers and an office based CRNA practice.
Admission
Requirements
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 Nurse Anesthetist Advanced Practice Track, the interested applicant must meet these additional requirements:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a nationally accredited program, based on AACN’s Essentials of Baccalaureate Education (or other appropriate discipline from an accredited institution)*
- A minimum of one year experience as a Registered Nurse in an acute 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
- References and interview will be required
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*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 Nurse Anesthetist Program 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 Nurse Anesthetist 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 considere for transfer.
Important Dates
Graduate Nursing Application Deadlines (pdf)
How to apply
THERE IS NO SEPARATE NURSING APPLICATION AT UNF; PLEASE APPLY USING ONE OF THE APPROPRIATE FORMS PROVIDED IN THE BELOW SECTION AND SUBMIT IT TO THE ONE STOP CENTER (UNDERGRAD PROGRAMS) OR GRADUATE SCHOOL (MSN, RN-MSN, FNP CERT, & DNP PROGRAMS). THANK YOU!
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.
Application Processing & Other Expectations
**Note that effective immediately for applications to any nursing program. A valid, current email address must be provided when completing the application form. Current UNF students will only be contacted at their school email accounts. Transfers will be contacted at the email address provided on the application since UNF email accounts are not generated until admission is granted. For written applications please use clear, large print to avoid errors. We will contact applicants regarding missing application items at the email address on file. Official decision letters will go via US Postal Service.
Basic & Supplemental Materials
Please submit the following items to:
The Graduate School
University of North Florida
1 UNF Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32224
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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.
Important Supplemental Admission and Progression Information
1. Program Curriculum (na curriculum)
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Administrative Policies & Procedures (pdf)
The Administrative Policies/Procedures Manual is designed to reflect the Standards for Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (Revised 2007) and to meet the needs of Program administrators, faculty and students. The manual is divided into two components: (1) policies/procedures related to administration and faculty; and (2) policies/procedures related to curriculum and students.
3. Additional Technical Admission & Retention Standards
Accreditation
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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 NAP 904.620.2628
School of Nursing
Brooks College of
Health
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