Nursing (Nursing Anesthesia), D.N.P.

Nurse Anesthesia Program

The College of Nursing offers the nurse anesthesia program which is 36 months of full time study to prepare advanced practice nurses in leadership positions in health related organizations. The purpose of the nurse anesthesia program is to prepare doctoral prepared graduates with the advanced knowledge in the area of clinical specialization of nurse anesthesia. 

Admission Criteria:

Admission to the DNP program depends upon sufficient enrollment, university resources, and qualifications of applicants. A select number of applicants will be admitted to the program based on the following criteria:

1. Bachelor of Science or Master of Science in Nursing from a fully accredited, National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, college or university in the United States.
2. Cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or better (where A = 4.0).
3. Completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing sections) within the past five years. An analytical score of at least 3.0 on the GRE is required.
4. Minimum of one year of experience (at the time of application) in an area of intensive care nursing after successful completion of National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. ICU is preferred.
5. Completion of an approved graduate statistics course achieving a grade of B or better.(The course must have been completed within the past 5 years.)
6. A current unencumbered license to practice nursing in any state with eligibility for licensure in Mississippi.
7. Proof of current certification of advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) and pediatric advanced life support (PALS).
8. Completion of the official application materials and payment of application fees by the stated deadline.
9. Personal interview with Admissions Committee (if invited).
10. Proof of immunization against hepatitis B and MMR, recent health examination, and TB skin test yearly.
11. Proof of criminal background check and drug screening.

Advanced standing is not granted to students even if they have attended another nurse anesthesia program. The BSN-DNP program is a uniquely integrated curriculum that builds on past education and experiences and progresses from basic to complex. All students must complete the program in its entirety in the sequence listed.

Academic Progression

In addition to the USM graduation criteria, to be eligible for graduation from the Nurse Anesthesia Program, the following criteria must be met:

1. Satisfactory completion of all academic courses with a minimum GPA of 3.0. A grade of “B” or higher must be attained in all anesthesia specific courses.
2. Satisfactory completion of clinical experiences as required by the Nurse Anesthesia Program AND the COA/NBCRNA
3. Satisfactory achievement of program terminal objectives
4. Satisfactory completion of all academic and clinical assignments including, but not limited to, care plans, evaluations, capstone project etc.
5. All clinical records must be completed and submitted to the Nurse Anesthesia Program (e.g. Medatrax records)
6. Satisfactory clinical performance
7. Satisfactory completion of the Capstone Project in Anesthesia
8. Successful completion of the comprehensive exam with a minimum grade of “B”  given in the last semester of the program
9. Successful completion of the Self Evaluation Exam (SEE)
10. Satisfactory completion of all requirements of the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs and the National Board on Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists.
11. Current ACLS/PALS, and unencumbered MS RN license on file with the Nurse Anesthesia Program.

Self Evaluation Examination (SEE)

Students are required to pass the Self Evaluation Examination, given by the NBCRNA, to be eligible for graduation. Students are responsible for scheduling the SEE and paying all associated fees.

Comprehensive Examination

In the last semester prior to graduation, all students are required to pass the Comprehensive Examination with a minimum score of 80% to demonstrate mastery of the content necessary to enter practice as safe, competent nurse anesthetists and to fulfill degree requirements.

Research and Scholarly Integrity Education

All faculty holding Regular or Associate graduate faculty status, must complete CITI training modules required by the Graduate School and their departments. All graduate students must complete the CITI training modules required by the Graduate School and their departments the first semester they are enrolled in graduate school. The RSIE policy and training information are found on the Graduate School web page –www.usm.edu/graduate-school. Contact the Dean of the Graduate School if you have any questions regarding the policy of training information.