Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Program
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Admission Requirements

Admission is limited and very competitive. The number of applicants surpasses the number of positions. Admission for Fall 2012 is closed. Fall 2013 admissions open on May 1, 2012. The deadline for admission consideration for the fall 2013 class is February 15, 2013. Please note that admission for the CRNA program is rolling. We will continually review applications as they are completed.
Applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered for admission to the program:
  1. Application to University South Florida Graduate School.
  2. A Bachelor of Science with a concentration in Nursing from a regionally accredited program. Applicants with a bachelor degree in a related discipline will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Applicants with a bachelor degree in a related discipline must also complete the below coursework.
    Health Assessment (2) NUR 3066 Physical Examination and Assessment
    Health Assessment (1) NUR 3066L Clinical Experience in Assessment
    Nursing Research (3) NUR 4165 Nursing Inquiry
    Community Health (3) NUR 4636 Community/Public Health Population-focused Nursing
    Community Health (3) NUR 4636L Community/Health Nursing Clinic
    Leadership (3) NUR 4807C Leadership & Transitions

    A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (based on a 4.0 system); recommended science GPA of 3.0.

  3. Required undergraduate coursework.
    Courses Credits
    Pathophysiology 3
    Pharmacology 3
    Anatomy and Physiology 6
    Health Assessment 3
    Chemistry 3
    Statistics 3

    **USF RN-BSN Patho/Pharm Update Course (3 credits) meets the Pathophysiology and Pharmacology Requirement**

    It is highly recommended that the above undergraduate coursework be 3 credit hours in length with a grade of B or better. If prerequisite science coursework is greater than ten years old, repeating or supplementing with a refresher course at the undergraduate level is highly recommended.
  4. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) taken within five years of application. Competitive score on the GRE.
  5. Curriculum Vitae or resume
  6. A minimum of two current years of experience as an RN in an aggressive critical care unit must be complete prior to matriculation into the program.
    Critical care is defined as medical intensive care, surgical intensive care, cardiovascular intensive care, coronary critical care, or neurology intensive care. Critical care experience is also defined as daily or full-time contact with patients in intensive care units, use of invasive monitors, continuous cardiac monitors, ventilators, vasoactive infusions, and life-threatening pathophysiology. Emergency room, operating room, post-anesthesia, and obstetrics are not accepted as critical care experience.
  7. Unrestricted Registered Nursing license to practice in the United States at the time of application. A Florida license will be required prior to the start of the clinical phase.
  8. Current BLS, ACLS, Certifications (must be maintained while in program). The CCRN, and PALS is highly recommended.
  9. Three favorable evaluations or recommendations. The recommendations should include one from each of the following sources:
    1. Current clinical supervisor evaluating clinical competence.
    2. Academic faculty member familiar with your academic performance and potential for graduate level coursework.
    3. CRNA, Anesthesiologist, or RN who can evaluate your potential as an anesthesia provider.
  10. Goal statement.
  11. Statement of good physical, mental and emotional health- to be completed during interview.
  12. A successful personal interview with the CRNA Program Panel may be required.
  13. International students whose native language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in the English language. A TOEFL composite score of 550 for the paper test or 213 for the computer-based test is strongly recommended for admission to the graduate program.
Disclaimer:
Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Acceptance into the program will be reserved for the best-qualified applicants who fulfill all admission requirements.

Individuals with a documented history of substance abuse:

The anesthesia profession is recognized as having one of the highest rates of substance abuse among all healthcare professions. As a result of this, persons who have a history of substance abuse are strongly urged to seek professional growth in a direction other than nurse anesthesia. If you have a history of substance abuse, are in or have completed a recovery or treatment program, we strongly urge you to consider the serious risks to yourself involved in entering the anesthesia profession. We suggest you consult your counselor, therapist or other health care professional for guidance, and strongly urge you to consider an alternative professional pathway within the nursing profession.

We acknowledge that substance abuse is an accepted disease and, as such, individuals with a history of substance abuse who wish to pursue a degree in nurse anesthesia may do so in accordance with the guidelines set forth. All students must perform in accordance with accepted professional behavior standards and ethical codes of conduct at all times. Violations of these principals and guidelines are grounds for immediate dismissal without the right of appeal.

The College of Nursing reserves the right to recommend the withdrawal or dismissal of any student whose health, conduct, academic or clinical performance is below the standards of the College of Nursings Nurse Anesthesia Concentration.