DNP Nurse Anesthesia
Admission Requirements

PROGRAM ADMISSION

Residents applying to the DNP Nurse Anesthesia Program should have the requisite skills and demonstrated potential to navigate the academic rigors of a doctoral nurse anesthesia educational program. Residents should be mature adult learners with the ability, initiative, and flexibility to learn and work independently and collectively in online, onsite, and clinical environments. Additionally, residents should have a reasonable level of technology literacy prior to the start of classes. These demonstrable attributes prepare residents for the demands of a challenging hybrid curriculum and a dynamic profession.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

1. Hold a baccalaureate or graduate degree in Nursing from a regionally accredited institution.
2. Hold an unencumbered license as a registered nurse and/or as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) in the United States (US), or its territories or protectorates. Licensure will be verified by Nursys or licensure verification system provided by individual state boards of nursing.
3. Hold current certifications in BLS, ACLS, and PALS upon application to the DNP NAP or complete the requirements prior to program matriculation.
4. Applicants must have been employed full-time for a minimum of one year, or its part-time equivalent (total 2080 hours), within the past two years in a critical care setting at the time of application to the South College DNP NAP.
   • During the application process, the length of critical care experience must be verified in the required letter of recommendation from a critical care supervisor.
5. Applicants must have status as a U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident.
6. Cumulative GPA for all post-secondary work is required to be a minimum of 3.0.
   • If GPA requirement not met, applicant may appeal in writing to the Nurse Anesthesia Program Admissions Committee.
7. Science specific courses minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required.
   • If GPA requirement not met, applicant may appeal in writing to the Nurse Anesthesia Program Admissions Committee.
8. Hold a current certification as a Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN).  An alternate critical care specialty certification may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
9. Submission of the following:
   • Three letters of recommendation.
     • One must be from a current employer/critical care supervisor who can confirm the length of applicant’s experience in critical care nursing.
     • At least two of the letters must be from healthcare providers.
   • Two occasions documented with the applicant shadowing a CRNA or an anesthesiologist. One MUST be with a CRNA. A minimum of 16 hours of shadowing time is required. Submit completed Shadow Verification Form.
   • Current resume or CV.
   • Personal statement (600 words max) describing the applicant’s rationale in their pursuit of a practice doctorate in nurse anesthesia and possible future roles as a CRNA.
   • Criminal background and drug screening.
   • Practice Survey.
     • Submit completed Practice Survey Form.
   • Employment Verification Form.
10. Complete admissions interview.
11. Post-interview selection by the DNP NAP Admissions Committee.
12. Completion of all pre-matriculation requirements.

Applicants are selected for interviews based on a holistic evaluation of their application and supporting documents. If an applicant is selected to go forward after initial admissions application review, there will be additional requirements for an in-person interview and appropriate health and  background screenings, as well as verification of the applicant’s ability to meet program technical standards. Please refer to the Program Requirements for additional details.(https://www.south.edu/programs/doctor-of-nursingpractice-with-a-concentration-in-nurse-anesthesia/admissions-requirements/program-requirements/)