College of Nursing

Nurse Anesthesia Admission FAQs

• Q1: What is your admission class size?

  A: We admit approximately 30 students per annual, fall admission.

• Q2: How long has USF had a CRNA program?

  A: The USF Nurse Anesthesia Program received accreditation and admitted its first class in 2006. In 2011, the program had a standard 5-year review from the Council on Accreditation for Nurse Anesthetists, and at that time was awarded a maximum 10-year national extension on accreditation.

• Q3: What is the pass rate of USF graduates on the CRNA boards?

  A: Much of this information can be found on our website, along with the Nurse Anesthesia Handbook (also found on our website). The handbook can give much more insight as well. As of our most recent graduating cohort in December, 2012 our overall pass rate is 100%, with a first time pass rate of 92%.

• Q4: What is the hire rate of current and previous graduating classes?

  A: We have a 100% employment rate.

• Q5: What is the employment of graduates within six months of graduation?

  A: Our most recent graduates are employed by some of the most well-known facilities in the Tampa Bay area: James A. Haley VA Medical Center, Bayfront Medical Center, Florida Hospital, and the Baycare Health System.

• Q6: How is USF’s Nurse Anesthesia program accredited?

  A: The University of South Florida is accredited by Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) to award degrees at the baccalaureate, master's, specialist, and doctoral levels.
  
  Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
  1866 Southern Lane
  Decatur, GA 30033
  (404) 679-4500
  
  The USF College of Nursing is accredited by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
  
  Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
  One Dupont Circle, NW Suite 530
  Washington, DC 20036-1120
  202-887-6791
  
  The USF College of Nursing has Florida Board of Nursing approval.
  
  Florida Board of Nursing
  4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C02
  Tallahassee, FL 32399-3257
  850-488-0595
  
  The Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia Concentration is accredited by The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs
  
  The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA)
  222 S. Prospect Avenue
  Park Ridge, Ill. 60068-4001
  Main Number: 847-655-1160
  Fax: 847-692-7137
  Email: Accreditation@coa.us.com

• Q7: Many programs do a front loaded (heavy academics in the beginning of the program) and more full time clinicals towards the end of the program, is this how USF's program is structured?

  A: The Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia is a challenging full-time, 28-month, 72-credit academic and clinical endeavor. This concentration consists of seven continuous semesters starting annually in August. During the first three semesters, you will follow the university’s academic calendar. These semesters do include a majority of the didactic courses coupled with a component of simulation experience, and a shadowing experience where the student will be in the hospital approximately one day a week. Once you begin full-time clinical the last four semesters of the program, your schedule will be independent of the college calendar, and your didactic course load will decrease to reflect the increase in clinical hours.

• Q8: During our last semester in clinicals will SRNAs still be on a one to one ratio with a CRNA/Anesthesiologist or will one CRNA/Anesthesiologist be over seeing two or more SRNAs?

  A: Students will be ensured a 1:1 clinical supervision ratio throughout their Junior year, and during specialty rotations in their Senior year. This is in their best interest of clinical education. We do also want our students to build up autonomy in their Senior year so they will be assigned to a 1:2 clinical supervision ratio when it is appropriate.

• Q9: I was amazed by the new CAMLS facility, will all of our classes and simulation labs take place at that location?

  A: All Anesthesia classes and simulation will take place at CAMLS. Three classes during the first and second semester will take place at USF Tampa's College of Nursing. These are non-nurse anesthesia specific courses, for example Fundamentals of Statistics for Clinicians.

• Q10: I also had a few questions for a recent graduate or senior student, would it be possible for you to put me in contact with someone?

  A: We have current students attend the interviews to allow the applicants a chance to ask questions during the tour, as well as a student panel interview to allow the applicant to ask additional questions. If you accept admission, you will be matched with a junior or senior student who will reach out and answer any additional questions you may have. We respect our current student’s extremely busy schedules and do not allow applicants to contact them, as we want them to focus on their personal success.

• Q11: Is it permissible to take CRNA curriculum prior to formal admission at USF or at another regionally accredited institution?

  A: USF’s Nurse Anesthesia is a full time lock-step program, and that all cohorts take all their courses together. We do not allow students to transfer in any of the 72 credit curriculum courses.

• Q12: Is a live orientation required?

  A: Yes, a live, day long orientation is required for each formally admitted student. This usually occurs between late June and early August.

• Q13: If I accept admission, what is the deposit?

  A: We do not require an admission deposit. You simply need to return your Intent to Enroll form in by the specified deadline.

• Q14: What does the status "Recommended for Admission" mean?

  A: The College of Nursing cannot admit students to the university, this responsibility lies within the Graduate School. This status means that the college has recommended an individual for admission to the graduate school. The graduate school will process this request and unless there are issues (such as criminal or academic dishonesty history, and/or false information on the application) the graduate school will admit the student and send the formal notification to the student.

• Q15: What does the status “Alternate” mean?

  A: The status of “Alternate” indicates that an applicant has not been recommended for acceptance, but instead as an alternate. The alternates are not ranked. If admission seats become available, the admission committee will review all alternate packets and make admission decisions. The student will be first notified through SOAR, email, then formal notification through the graduate school. If you do not wish to be considered as an alternate for the program, please send an email indicating this information to the programs admission counselor/advisor.

• Q16: How much is tuition for this particular program?

  A: USF students will receive unique, cutting-edge training including the latest in high fidelity simulation, virtual OR practice, first choice in clinical placements, experiences at our state-of-the-art Center for Advanced Medical Learning Simulation (USF CAMLS), and mentorship by anesthesia leaders across the Tampa Bay region. This is a 72 credit hour curriculum at approximately $800 per credit hour for tuition and fees (including both in-state and out-of-state tuition).