MSN to DNP Nurse Anesthesiology

Develop advanced nurse anesthesiology knowledge and leadership skills to improve healthcare outcomes, expand evidence-based practice and influence health policy.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) Program at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) is designed to prepare graduates with the advanced nursing knowledge and leadership skills to improve health care outcomes and to provide evidence-based nursing across diverse health care settings and systems. The curriculum focuses on providing nurses with the solid science foundation needed to enhance critical reasoning judgment in the management of complex health care situations. Core and specialty courses provide knowledge, skills and attributes essential for fully accountable practice in today's health care environment. Emphasis is on innovative and evidence-based nursing practice to meet the demands associated with the increasing complexity of the health care system, improving the safety and quality of patient care delivery, and influencing health care policy.

The curriculum for the MSN to DNP Nurse Anesthesiology major is for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) who hold a master of science in nursing degree. Students may satisfy the requirements of the MSN to DNP Nurse Anesthesiology major curriculum upon completion of 37 credit hours over 6 semesters (24 months) of part-time study.

FGCU School of Nursing receives $678,109.00 HRSA grant for the Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) Learn More

Have Questions? Want to Apply? We Can Help!
Call 239-590-7505

Accreditation
Toggle More Info
Institutional Accreditation
Information on FGCU institutional accreditation is available at www.fgcu.edu/accreditation
The D.N.P. program at FGCU is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://ccneaccreditation.org)

The FGCU Nurse Anesthesiology Program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), 10275 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 906, Rosemont, IL 60018-5603; http://coacrna.org ; telephone (224) 275-9130. The program's next accreditation review by the COA is October 2022.

Public Notice: Posted December 9, 2022
Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) is seeking national reaccreditation of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) in 2023. CCNE site visitors will conduct an onsite visit on February 15, 2023 thru February 17, 2023.

Program constituents, including students, alumni, representatives from clinical agencies, and the public, are invited to submit comments concerning the DNP program’s qualifications for accreditation status. CCNE will share comments with the site visitors before the visit, and at no time will comments be shared with the Florida Gulf Coast University, the DNP Program, or the Board.

This notification indicates that written third-party comments will be received by CCNE 21 days before the scheduled onsite evaluation and must be received by CCNE by January 25, 2023.

All comments are to be directed by email to: thirdpartycomments@ccneaccreditation.org or if you prefer, mail comments to:

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Attn: Third-Party Comments
655 K Street, NW, Suite 750
Washington, DC 20001
Admissions Information
Toggle More Info
Getting Started
Applicants must submit an application online per the individual program’s instructions below. Please contact Graduate Admissions at 239-745-GRAD or graduate@fgcu.edu for additional information about the application process. Satisfaction of minimum University and program requirements does not guarantee admission to a graduate program. Applicants should check with the program for the most up to date admission requirements prior to commencing the application process.
All applications to the MSN to DNP Nurse Anesthesiology major must be submitted through the FGCU Office of Graduate Admissions. A supplemental School of Nursing application must also be submitted through NursingCAS

The School of Nursing conducts a competitive admissions process. The following are the minimum requirements for admission. Satisfaction of minimum University and program requirements does not guarantee admission to a graduate program.

Students will be admitted in the Summer semester of each year. Application priority deadline is July 1. The application deadline for receipt of all application materials is December 15 prior to the year in which entry is sought. Admissions interviews are conducted by invitation during the months of October and November. Application materials received after December 15 will be considered on a space available basis.

MSN to DNP Nurse Anesthesiology Major Application Requirements:
- Submit an FGCU Graduate Admissions Application and satisfy all applicable university admissions requirements.
- In NursingCAS, provide unofficial transcript(s) for all colleges and universities attended, including a master’s degree in nursing transcript from a CCNE or Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) nursing program and an institution that maintains accreditation by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting body (https://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html) or equivalent foreign institution.
- Provide evidence of successful completion of an entry-level, COA-accredited nurse anesthesia educational program.
- Provide evidence of National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) certification and current recertification as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).
- Show evidence of a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
- Provide copy of an unrestricted Florida APRN license and certification as a nurse anesthetist, or eligibility for APRN license and certification as a nurse anesthetist in Florida.
- Provide a current resume or curriculum vitae.
- Provide personal statement of professional goals in 350 to 500 words.
- Show completion of the following prerequisite courses:
  
  Graduate level nursing courses with a grade of "B" or better: Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, Physical Assessment, and Research
  
  Undergraduate level course with a grade of “C” or better: Statistics
- If applicable, applicants who have attended but not completed another DNP or doctoral nursing program must provide an official transcript from that program and a letter of good standing from the dean of the school of nursing (or designee) that also addresses potential for success in a DNP program.
- Provide a signed copy of the FGCU School of Nursing Core Performance Standards Receipt and Acknowledgment form.
- Admissions interview, by invitation, with the Nurse Anesthesia Admissions Committee.
- Three professional references that indicate your potential for doctoral study, clinical proficiency, and academic competence: one from the applicant's supervisor, one from the applicant's academic faculty, and one from a registered nurse, CRNA, or physician familiar with the applicant's professional expertise.
- International students must demonstrate English language proficiency in accordance with University regulation.
Additional Requirements:
ACLS, BLS, and PALS are not required for application to the program but are required to have been completed before the student begins the program. All students must maintain current APRN licensure, CRNA certification, and ACLS, BLS, and PALS certification while in the program. All students must provide evidence of current immunizations and tuberculosis screening throughout the program. All students must complete level one and two background checks and drug and alcohol screening prior to formal admission to the program. Additionally, further immunizations, background checks, and drug screening may be required during the program. Details on these procedures will be given after applicants are interviewed and conditionally accepted.
Program Requirements
Toggle More Info
Program Requirements for the 2024-2025 Catalog Year
Program Progression and Additional Graduation Requirements
Students admitted to the D.N.P. Nurse Anesthesiology major via the M.S.N. to D.N.P. entry path must meet major-specific progression, clinical practice, D.N.P. Project, and graduation requirements. See the D.N.P. Nurse Anesthesiology Guidebook, General Graduate Academic Policies, and FGCU Graduation Requirements.
- Students must follow a Program of Study approved by the Program Director or designee.
- Earn a minimum of 37 credits of doctoral level coursework.
- A cumulative GPA of 3.0 for coursework in the program.
- Completion of all courses with a grade of "B" or higher, or "S" (Satisfactory) where applicable.
- Completion of D.N.P. Clinical Practice requirements.
- Completion of D.N.P. Project Requirements.
- Submit an application for graduation by the semester deadline listed in the FGCU Academic Calendar.
- Students must register for a minimum of one credit during the semester in which they apply for graduation.
- Earn more than 50% of the credits toward the degree through FGCU.
Program Requirements
Required Courses in the Major (37 credits)

NGR 6712 Foundations of Nursing Educ. (3)
NGR 6872 Nursing Information Management (3)
NGR 7473 Regional Anesthesia/Pain Mgmt (3)
NGR 7492 Prof Role-Nurse Anesthetist (3)
NGR 7846 Biostatistics & Epidemiology (3)
NGR 7856 Evidenced-Based Trans. Research (3)
NGR 7891 Fin & Mgmt-Anesthesia Practice (3)
NGR 7895 Health Policy (3)
NGR 7899 Organization Syst. & Leadship (3)
NGR 7949L DNP Clinical Practice (4 total)*
NGR 7974 DNP Project (6 total)*

*Credits are spread over varying semesters
Total Credits Required: 37 HRS
Course Descriptions
Toggle More Info
Official Course Descriptions

Search for official course descriptions by using the Course Description Search utility.

Go to the Course Descriptions Search Web page, then follow these steps:
1. Select an Academic Year from the TERM dropdown (required)
2. Select a course prefix from one of the SUBJECT dropdowns (required)
3. Enter search words in the TEXT field (optional, but will narrow the search results)
4. Press Search
Course Schedule
Toggle More Info
Getting started with the Course Schedule Search

Search for program courses by using the Course Schedule Search utility.

Go to the Course Schedule Search Web page, then follow these steps:
1. Select an Academic Year from the TERM dropdown (required)
2. Select one or more of the search options to narrow your results (for example, CAMPUS, COLLEGE, DEPARTMENT, LEVEL, PREFIX*, COURSE ATTRIBUTE**). For virtual or web courses, select VIRTUAL in the CAMPUS field.
3. Press Search.
*A course prefix is a three-letter designator for a major division of an academic discipline (for example, ACG for Accounting , BSC for Biological Science, ENC for English Composition). See the Degree Requirements page for a list of courses (with prefix and number) that can be used to fulfill degree requirements.

**A course attribute identifies specific characteristics of courses that can be used in a Degree Evaluation to satisfy a degree requirement. (Course attribute examples are Humanities courses - GEHM and Social Science courses - GESO.)
Learning Outcomes
Toggle More Info
Graduates will:
1. Collaborate and communicate with other healthcare professionals to provide high quality, ethical patient-centered care that meets current standards of best practice.
2. Lead inter-professional teams to design, implement, and evaluate complex clinical practice strategies based on theoretical, scientific, and ethical knowledge.
3. Integrate advanced critical reasoning and judgment in the management of complex clinical situations and systems in a selected area of advanced practice nursing and organizational systems.
4. Implement health care delivery models and strategies designed for increased safety and quality improvement in health promotion, clinical prevention and population health.
5. Employ an evidence-based framework and information technology to evaluate and develop strategies and interventions to improve health status, access patterns, and identify gaps in care of diverse patients, populations, and organizations.
6. Advocate for change in health care practice and health care environments through policy development, implementation, and evaluation.
Tuition, Fees, and Financial Assistance
Toggle More Info
Progression and Additional Graduation Requirements
Toggle More Info
Students admitted to the MSN to DNP Nurse Anesthesiology major must meet major-specific progression, clinical practice, DNP Project, and graduation requirements. See the DNP Nurse Anesthesiology Guidebook, Graduate Student Handbook, General Graduate Academic Policies, and FGCU Graduation Requirements.
- Successful completion of a minimum of 37 credit hours of doctoral level course work.
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater in the DNP program.
- Completion of all courses with a grade of "B" or higher, or "S" (Satisfactory) where applicable.
- Completion of DNP Clinical Practice requirements.
- Completion of DNP Project requirements.
- Students must follow a Program of Study approved by the Program Director or designee.

FGCU CRNA FAQs

Toggle More Info

Q1: What counts as ICU experience?

A : Any ICU (Ex. given: CTICU, Trauma ICU, Neuro ICU)

Q2: When should I have completed 1 year of ICU experience?

A: You should have a minimum of one full year of ICU experience by the time classes begin in the Summer semester.

Q3: Is the GRE required?

A: Yes, taken within five years of application with a preferred minimum score of: 153 verbal, 144 quantitative, and a minimum of 3.5 out of 6 on the essay portion.

Q4: Which chemistry courses and labs are recommended for the prerequisite?

A: We recommend you complete 2 chemistry courses and 1 lab (Ex. given: Chem 1, Chem 2, Bio Chem, Organic Chem and 1 lab of either one)

Q5: Is it required to have completed a second chemistry course before applying?

A: No but must be completed at an accredited institute and ideally before classes begin. Evidence of your Unofficial transcript must be sent to the program as the student matriculates prior to the start of the program. Official Transcripts will be required, after admission.

Q6: What is the Tuition for In-state and Out-of-State?

A: Tuition and Fees- Information on Tuition, Fees and estimated total Cost of Attendance is available on the Office of the Bursar web site.

Q7: Are there any additional student fees?

A: Yes, lab fees, living expenses, books, and other resources for a successful experience. See the table provided below.

Q8: Which credits can transfer over?

A: You will need to contact the Program Director to discuss, but typically courses that can be transferred should be within the 6,000 to 7000 level.

Q9: What do I need to provide to transfer my credits?

A: You will need to provide Proof of Syllabus, transcript, homework assignments and university catalog. Keep in mind this is on a case-by-case basis.

Q10: FGCU is a hybrid program, when do students attend in-person classes on campus?

A: After the first summer session C, the students will be expected to be on campus at least once a week until graduation.

Q11: Do you provide housing or know of where I can get information if moving from another state or country?

A: We do not provide housing.

*Rough Estimate of Expenditures

Below are the costs outlined through the course of your nurse anesthesiology education. Fees and changes to the needs of the program are subject to change. This is the best estimate of fees associated with your education. Fees and timing of fees may also change at any time.

Below is the list of courses with a fee attached. The student will be charged the fee when they take each course.

These numbers are rough estimates of costs throughout your time in the FGCU NA program.

The numbers below are not set in stone, however, if changes are made, it would be only to lower not increase any of the fees to the program or the course.

DNP-NA	Course Number	Fee Amount	Fee Type
Fall
Semester V	NGR 5433L	$244.00	Course Fee
Semester VIII	NGR 5436L	$265.00	Course Fee
Semester III	NGR 6002L	$11.00	Course Fee
Spring
Semester III	NGR 5431L	$313.00	Course Fee
Semester VI	NGR 5434L	$333.00	Course Fee
Semester IX	NGR 5437L	$279.00	Course Fee
Summer
Semester IV	NGR 5432L	$329.00	Course Fee
Semester VII	NGR 5435L	$368.00	Course Fee
	NGR 6400	$5,689.00	Program Fee; Due in May before you begin school

Outside Fees - These fees are based on 2022 rates; these fees may fluctuate depending upon outside factors and the economy.

Mandatory Valley Anesthesia Review

This is what you can expect from Valley Anesthesia Education in your 3-year nurse anesthesia program at FGCU. Year One: Receive all your digital and print materials to study for success from DAY ONE. Year Two: Receive in-person instruction on-campus before your Year Two Self-Evaluation (SEE) Exam (not mandatory) at a greatly reduced price. In Year Three, we will provide your mandatory board review course. Furthermore, you will have the comfort of knowing you have our Valley Pledge, which means we are not happy until you are officially a CRNA. Throughout this process, the Valley Team is always available to you for study strategizing.

The Valley Anesthesia Education course materials will be incorporated throughout the curriculum. The investment you make now will help support your success throughout your entire program and promote your success on the National Certification Exam (NCE).

Year One: Pay $350.00 for all the mandatory course materials. Mandatory. You are welcome to attend the May in-person and on-campus course review for $340.00 (not mandatory).
Year Two: Pay $340.00 for an in-person and on-campus course review before your SEE. (not mandatory)
Year Three: Pay your balance of $500.00 to attend your mandatory NCE review course.

Valley provides access to the latest digital versions of our course manual (aka the SWEATBOOK) and MemoryMaster. Should we update our materials during your 3 years of education, you can update to our latest print version of the manuals for the cost of printing and shipping (currently $65.00 for both). Digital updates are always FREE.

Mandatory Attendance at 1 FANA Annual Meeting Conference (Fall of Second Semester): Registration $175.00, plus Room, Transportation, Food

Prodigy Anesthesia Review: 1-year subscription beginning the last full year of your program $175.00

Books: Market pricing varies

Potential Additional Costs:

Three SEE exam costs from semesters VI, VII, & IX will be covered in the program fees. If the student does not meet the required SEE exam score outlined in semesters Vi, VIII, & IX, the student will be responsible for paying for additional attempts on the SEE exam until they meet the standard. Cost of a SEE exam =$265.00 per attempt.

NCE exam: The NCE exam is covered by the student program fees, if the student does not successfully pass the NCE, all other attempts and review fees will be the responsibility of the student.

Program Fees Cover: (Subject to change at any time)