Admission is limited and very competitive. The number of applicants surpasses the number of admission seats. The applicant is responsible for compiling and submitting the complete set of materials. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Applicants must meet University Admission and English Proficiency requirements, as well as requirements for admission to the major, listed below.

Please consult the Graduate Catalog for more information.

Please review the 2024 Nurse Anesthesiology Open House for detailed program information.

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.

Technical Standards
The practice of nurse anesthesiology is physically, mentally, and emotionally challenging. All applicants to the nurse anesthesiology program must meet technical standards required for nurse anesthesiology practice. The provision of safe, competent anesthesia services requires that practitioners demonstrate cognitive, technical, observational, and behavioral skills. Students need to have the physical and emotional endurance to adapt to a demanding graduate program. Applicants must have all required abilities to successfully progress through the DNP in Nurse Anesthesiology.

For a complete list of abilities, please review the Consolidated Student Handbook (Appendix A3- p.11).

Individuals with a Documented History of Substance Abuse:
The anesthesiology profession is recognized as having one of the highest rates of substance abuse among all health care professions. As a result, persons who have a history of substance abuse are strongly urged to seek professional growth in a direction other than nurse anesthesiology. 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 personal risks 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 anesthesiology 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 principles 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 Nursing's Nurse Anesthesiology program.

Important Information:

All admitted nursing students are required to complete a background check, immunization verification, and drug screening. Additionally, students will be required to provide proof of current health insurance. Admitted students will be provided with the steps to complete this process.

Note: This requirement is not the same as the USF Student Health Services (USF Health Form) and cannot be submitted as a substitute.

The DNP Program Curriculum can be found in the USF Graduate Catalog.

Applicants who meet the admission requirements should complete the steps below to successfully apply:

Submit a Graduate Admissions Application

• USF Graduate Admissions Application
• For all questions, contact USF Admissions Office at (813) 974-3350 or visit its website
• Note: Do not upload supplemental documentation; please bypass these sections of the application (e.g., test scores, transcripts and personal statements)

Submit a NursingCAS Application

• NursingCAS Application
• Students must have their USF ID number (Example: U12345678) before starting the NursingCAS application.
• Select your intended term of entry.
• Create a NursingCAS account and submit the application with fee.
• Submit all official transcripts to NursingCAS.
• Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
• High school transcripts are not required.
• Submit all supplementary materials in the NursingCAS application. Do not send transcripts or additional documents to USF Admissions unless specifically requested.
• For technical questions regarding your NursingCAS account, please contact NursingCAS at 617-612-2880 or nursingcasinfo@nursingcas.org. Please refer to the Application Deadlines tab for reference if you do not see your desired term of entry in NursingCAS.

Required Documentation: All documentation (e.g., transcripts, resume, certifications, etc.) must be submitted to NursingCAS by the deadline in order for applications to be considered.

Interview Requirement: In addition to fulfilling the application requirements, a personal interview with faculty will be required.

Learn more by attending an information session and application workshop.

International Admissions

• Foreign Transcripts: All coursework and degrees completed outside the United States require a course-by-course evaluation from an approved evaluating agency. Foreign transcript evaluation services are approved by the USF Graduate School. Please note that the Florida Board of Nursing maintains its own list of approved evaluating agencies.Transcript evaluations must be received at the College of Nursing in their original sealed envelopes by the deadlines posted.
• English Language: Applicants from countries where English is not the official language must demonstrate English proficiency. Please see USF Graduate Catalog for more information or contact USF Office of International Admissions.

Applicants Rights and Responsibilities:

Applicants have the right to be treated in a respectful, timely, and truthful manner. Applicants have the right to have their applications evaluated with the same degree of consideration as any other applicant. Applicants have the responsibility to inform the concentration administration of any changes in their application packets. Applicants are required to submit applications and material by the stated deadline and to be truthful in the applications, as well as in all communication.

Desired Term: Summer 2026

Application Open: February 15, 2025
Priority Deadline: August 15, 2025*
Deadline to Apply: January 29, 2026

*Applicants who are invited to interview prior to August 15th will receive priority consideration for seats in the DNP Nurse Anesthesiology program.