The Doctor of Nursing Practice – Nurse Anesthesiology Program (NAP) is a 104-credit BSN to DNP program with a 36-month, full-time plan of study. The entry to practice DNP degree offers students a hybrid schedule format using a combination of on and off-campus content delivery throughout the program. In this program, you will gain the requirements necessary to be eligible for the National Certification Examination (NCE).
The highest level of training
At Mary Baldwin University, we train nurses to administer anesthesia as full-service providers in various healthcare environments. The emphasis of the program is to prepare future anesthesia providers who will have advanced scientific nursing knowledge, leadership skills to improve healthcare outcomes, provide safe, high-quality and evidence-based care, have a commitment to personal integrity, and provide culturally competent care.
Cost and Financial Aid
MBU’s Office of Financial Aid lists DNP program tuition rates for 2021-22 and is happy to answer any questions.
In addition, $2,000 is available to support costs related to student DNP projects.
Nurse Anesthesiology Program Mission
The Nurse Anesthesiology Program curriculum strives to prepare students who can develop collaborative relationships with other healthcare providers where patients are cared for in an environment in which patient’s rights to dignity and self-determination is respected. The students will attain this goal via didactic, simulation, and clinical experiences through an interprofessional approach to learning, development of critical decision making, problem-solving skills, and be responsive to the needs of the healthcare community.
A Path to Becoming a Full-Service Provider
The supportive learning environment will foster the development of an advanced practice provider who provides culturally competent care and incorporates physiological and scientific knowledge to develop evidence-based nurse anesthesiology practice decisions. The program will develop graduates that foster a commitment to personal integrity, professional responsibility, and ethical behavior of the highest caliber. Graduates will be prepared to function as competent and safe advanced practice providers in the perioperative environment:
- As teachers to other students and nurse anesthetists.
- As creative, capable, and culturally sensitive leaders in the healthcare community.
- And with the fundamental knowledge of research and its application in anesthesia to provide care using evidence-based practice.
Nurse Anesthesiology Admission Requirements
The following criteria are considered when reviewing all graduate applications for admission:
- Current unrestricted RN and/or an APRN license in the Commonwealth of Virginia or state participating in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) or be eligible for licensure in Virginia.
- Earned BSN from an accredited CCNE or ACEN School of Nursing.
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale for baccalaureate nursing degree and subsequent graduate work.
- Curriculum Vitae.
- Personal statement (no more than 500 words) about short-term and long-term goals after completion of the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.
- Completion of application for admission.
- Official transcripts to all post-secondary educational institutions. Transcripts should include 8 credits of anatomy & physiology with lab, 3 credits of chemistry (The chemistry can be general, organic, or biochemistry), 3-4 credits of microbiology, and 3-4 credits of pharmacology.
- Three letters of recommendation from professional references with current knowledge of professional and/or academic skills. One recommendation must be from the applicant’s immediate supervisor.
- Completion of undergraduate or graduate statistics course.
- Current AHA Certification: BLS, ACLS, and PALS
- Minimum of one year (two years preferred) current, continuous full time or part-time equivalent, critical care experience* as a registered nurse within two years of application.
- Critical care certification (CCRN) is strongly recommended.
- Completion of critical care checklist with clinical supervisor signature.
* Critical care experience must be obtained in a critical care area within the United States, its territories or a US military hospital outside of the United States. During this experience, the registered professional nurse has developed critical decision making and psychomotor skills, competency in patient assessment, and the ability to use and interpret advanced monitoring techniques. A critical care area is defined as one where, on a routine basis, the registered professional nurse manages one or more of the following: invasive hemodynamic monitors (e.g., pulmonary artery, central venous pressure, and arterial catheters), cardiac assist devices, mechanical ventilation, and vasoactive infusions. Examples of critical care units may include but are not limited to, surgical intensive care, cardiothoracic intensive care, coronary intensive care, medical intensive care, pediatric intensive care, and neonatal intensive care. Those who have experiences in other areas may be considered provided they can demonstrate competence with managing unstable patients, invasive monitoring, ventilators, and critical care pharmacology.
Note: Due to the competitive nature of the admission process applicants should understand that meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission into the program. Applicants will be screened, and the most qualified individuals will be invited for an interview.
Important Dates
Application Deadline
Completed applications must be received by the School of Nursing Admissions Office by December 15 to be eligible for admission the following fall. Applications will be open via NursingCAS on September 1st.
Interview Dates
Admission interviews will take place in January. Upon successful submission of all applicant materials, the Admissions Office will contact eligible applicants with further information about the interview.
On-Campus Orientation
All new admits must attend a mandatory program orientation session on campus in August.
Progression and Graduation Requirements
Students admitted to the Doctor of Nursing Practice – Nurse Anesthesiology Program must meet major-specific progression, clinical practicum, DNP Scholarly Project, and graduation requirements. See Nurse Anesthesiology Program policies, General Graduate Academic Policies, and Criteria for Graduation.
Students enrolled in the Nurse Anesthesiology Program will be recommended for graduation and eligible to take the National Certification Examination administered by the National Board of Certification & Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists when they:
- Complete of all course and practicum requirements for the NAP as set forth by the accrediting bodies for licensure and certification.
- Complete all course requirements with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Receive a “Pass” grade in all practicum courses.
- Complete all nurse anesthesiology courses with a grade of “B” or better.
- Administer a minimum of 650 anesthetics.
- Participate in a minimum of 2,000 clinical hours.
- Administer all required numbers of clinical cases and experiences for each category as set forth by the Council on Accreditation for Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).
- Possess a current ACLS, BLS, and PALS certifications and an unencumbered VA license.
Background Checks and Drug Testing
Following admission, successful completion of a criminal background check and drug testing will be required (at students’ expense) for participation in clinical practicum courses. Failure to pass one of these tests may prevent the student from successfully completing the clinical practicum requirements and, therefore the program. In addition, before a student begins a program of study, it should be noted that a conviction of either a felony or misdemeanor (other than parking/speeding violations) is considered part of the eligibility for the National Certification Examination (“Ethical Concerns”) and may result in denial of licensure as a nurse practitioner in Virginia (and other states) required to practice as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.
Accreditation
Mary Baldwin University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice – Nurse Anesthesiology Program at Mary Baldwin University is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), 10275 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 906, Rosemont, IL 60018-5603, phone: 224-275-9130, website address: www.coacrna.org.
