School of Nurse Anesthesia

Statement of Purpose

The School of Nurse Anesthesia offers a single degree pathway, the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP). The DNAP curriculum is a 36-month, doctoral degree program culminating in the student earning eligibility to attempt the National Certification Examination as required to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.

The Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice program is designed to prepare potential Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists to provide safe and effective anesthesia care for all populations in all settings at full scope of practice. It is designed to prepare tomorrow’s healthcare leaders with knowledge and skills to provide an evidence-based clinical practice. The DNAP program also ensures graduates understand the importance of having strong ethics, know how to behave professionally in all settings, understand good business practices, and are committed to the healthcare profession.

Based upon outcomes competencies guiding the curriculum, on completion of the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice program, the graduate will:

Build upon prior nursing education and clinical/professional experiences to develop a sound didactic knowledge base necessary to provide evidence-based, individualized, safe anesthesia care for all populations in all settings.
Think critically and express themselves clearly and correctly.
Develop nurse anesthesia clinical skills in a variety of settings among all populations.
Develop physically, socially, spiritually, and professionally.
Provide culturally appropriate perianesthesia care.
Function as a leader in intra- and interprofessional settings.
Adhere to all AANA Standards of Care.
Interact professionally with integrity and of sound professional ethics, including providing cost-effective care, displaying accountability, and analysis of outcomes to improve quality of care.
Disseminate scholarly work, including the DNAP Project.

Criteria for Admission to the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) Program

A student seeking admission to graduate study should address all inquiries to the office of graduate programs.

Applicants to the graduate program must meet all University program requirements and be accepted for admission to graduate study by the School of Nurse Anesthesia. Admission to the School of Nurse Anesthesia is competitive and will be based on evaluation of the applicant’s overall academic qualifications, clinical experience, personal references, and interview.

The University of Mobile and the School of Nurse Anesthesia accept students on the basis of academic qualifications, character, personal interview, and evidence of the potential to benefit from the University experience. The University accepts all qualified applicants without regard to race, religion, place of national origin, sex, age, or ethnic group.

Admission requirements for the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) program:

Application for admission must be complete by Novemer 1 (or other appropriate date determined by the Program Director) for each application cycle
Submission of official transcripts for all academic work attempted and all institutions attended must be submitted prior to November 1 (or other appropriate date determined by the Program Director) in order for the application complete.
Qualifying GRE score
International students:
- Students with international transcripts must provide evaluation from World Educational Services (http://www.wes.org/) for previous non-nursing coursework.
- International students must show proof of English proficiency. Applicants should request that official TOEFF test scores be sent directly to Enrollment Services.
Completion of BSN from a regionally accredited educational institution.
- Transcripts must show successful completion of
  - Anatomy (5 semester hours)*
  - Physiology (5 semester hours)*
  - College Chemistry and Lab (3 semester hours)^
  - Microbiology (3 semester hours)
  - Health statistics (2 semester hours)

*This requirement can be met by taking a two-course sequence of Anatomy and Physiology that totals 10 semester hours

^This course must be of college level and cannot be an introduction/survey course

Grade point average requirements:
- Overall = > 3.0/4.0
- Last 60 hours attempted = > 3.0/4.0
- Nursing school courses = > 3.0/4.0
- Science and math prerequisites = > 3.0/4.0
Must hold and maintain an unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse in a state or territory of the United States
Must hold and maintain or be eligible for license to practice as a registered nurse in Alabama.
Minimum of one (1) year of critical care nursing experience, subject to approval from the SNA Program Director. This experience must include managing acutely and critically ill patients that require advanced monitoring, titration of vasoactive substances, and/or care for a patient undergoing mechanical ventilation.
Submission of a clear background check and absence of criminal conviction.
Submission of health history and record of required immunizations.
Submission of record of American Heart Association BLS, ACLS, and PALS Healthcare Provider Certification.
A personal interview with the School of Nurse Anesthesia Admissions Committee, which may include Program Director, Associate Program Director, Director of Clinical Education, other SNA faculty, other UM faculty, clinical site coordinators, and public stakeholders, when appropriate.
Submission of current personal health insurance coverage.
Three reference forms from:
- Current critical care work supervisor or nurse manager who has direct knowledge of the applicant’s skills in the clinical setting and how they will translate into the DNAP role.
- A professor, faculty member, or academic advisor who can provide a meaningful assessment of the applicant’s academic record.
- A practicing CRNA who has served as a mentor and can speak about the applicant’s ability as a nurse anesthetist and potential to become a DNAP.
If the applicant has been dismissed from a nurse anesthesia training program, an additional letter of reference is required from the program administrator of every program attended
Current Curriculum Vita or resume is required. This document should include:
- Educational background including institutions, degrees awarded, degrees in progress, dates of degrees awarded and/or anticipated date of receiving degrees.
- Relevant employment history, including:
  - Job title, job description, and relevant duties performed.
  - Employment dates of each position.
- Community service and/or volunteer experience.
- Awards, publications, presentations, memberships, and honors.
- Evidence of leadership and career progression.
Personal statement of no more than two pages discussing:
- How your previous education, experience, and professional interest have prepared you to be successful in the DNAP program.
- Your professional goals and how completing the DNAP program will help you achieve your professional goals.
- Your understanding of the DNAP role and your intentions regarding service as a DNAP professional.
- Steps you have taken to prepare for success in this program.
- Your essay must be clear, succinct, and double-spaced.

Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) Progression and Retention Policies

DIDACTIC

Students matriculated in the School of Nurse Anesthesia will be dismissed from the DNAP program with a grade of “C”, “D”, “F”, or “W” in any course.

Faculty will be assigned as student advisors. Faculty advisors and program administrators will monitor student’s grades, and clinical performance at regular intervals; they will also initiate and manage remediation and performance improvement plans for students identified with low performance.

Students will take the Self-Evaluation Examination (SEE) twice during the program: in the sixth and eighth semesters. They must achieve an overall scaled score for the total test at or above the 50th percentile for second-year examinees in the sixth semester and for third-year examinees in the eighth semester. If the benchmarks are not met, the student will be placed on a remediation plan, which may result in postponement of graduation in some cases.

All DNAP students will take NA 799 Content Review & Synthesis during their final semester. As an outcome of this course, DNAP students must score an 80% or greater on the Oral and Written Comprehensive Final in order to earn a passing grade.

CLINICAL

Students matriculated in the School of Nurse Anesthesia take clinical practicum courses pass/fail. Students who receive the grade of “F” in a clinical practicum will be dismissed from the DNAP program.

Faculty will be assigned as student advisors. Faculty advisors and Pathway administrators will monitor student clinical performance at regular intervals; they will also initiate and manage remediation and performance improvement plans for students identified with low performance.

The School of Nurse Anesthesia reserves the right to require withdrawal from the graduate nursing program of any graduate student whose health, academic record, clinical performance, or behavior is judged unsatisfactory or potentially unsafe.

Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) Readmission Policies

Readmission after Dismissal/Appeal

Students who do not meet the criteria for progression and are dismissed from the DNAP program are not eligible for re-admission among any cohort in the SNA.

Readmission after Withdrawal

A graduate student who voluntarily withdraws from the DNAP program may be eligible for re-admission to a subsequent cohort in SNA. This decision is left to the discretion of the Program Director.

Graduation Application and Requirements

The Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) degree is awarded to graduate students who have completed all required courses in the DNAP curriculum and are in good standing at the University.

Students must submit an application for graduation form to the Registrar’s Office the semester prior to graduation (Semester 2, Year 3). The deadline for this application is published each semester on the University website and/or is available in the Registrar’s Office.

Programs

Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice