Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice: Admissions

Apply Through NursingCAS

Submit an application through the Nursing Centralized Application Service (NursingCAS). NursingCAS has an application processing fee. The application cycle will open December 1.

Apply at NursingCAS

Supplemental Application Fee

Applicants must also submit a non-refundable supplemental application fee of $100, which can be paid online, by check, or over the phone at Call407-303-1631. Make checks payable to AdventHealth University and ensure they are labeled as “DNAP Supplemental Fee” on the memo line (please include your name on the memo line as well). Mail checks to AdventHealth University, Attn: Financial Services, 671 Winyah Dr, Orlando, FL 32803.

Online Payments:

Fee payment for applicants with an AHU student ID

Fee payment for applications without an AHU student ID

Bachelor's Degree or Higher

Submit evidence of at least one of the following degrees from a regionally accredited institution:

• Bachelor of Science degree (or higher) in Nursing (BSN, MSN, DNP, etc.)

If an applicant is currently enrolled at a regionally accredited institution and is scheduled to complete a degree prior to the anticipated enrollment at AHU’s DNAP program, he or she must provide a current transcript prior to an admission interview, and then provide a final official transcript upon completion of the degree and prior to enrollment.

Pre-Requisite Courses

Applicants must have completed the following pre-requisite courses:

• STAT 215 Elementary Statistics (or equivalent; at least 3 credits), with a grade of B or better, within 5 years prior to start date of program = May 20XX deadline
• Chemistry - a Biochemistry OR Organic Chemistry course (at least 3 credits), with a grade of B or better, within 5 years prior to start date of program = May 20XX deadline

Minimum Cumulative GPA

Present a minimum cumulative grade point average, inclusive of both undergraduate and graduate coursework, of 3.2 on a 4.00 scale.

A minimum natural science grade point average, inclusive of both undergraduate and graduate coursework, of 3.0 on a 4.00 scale.

Admission GPAs will be calculated based on credits and grades from regionally accredited institutions only. Cumulative GPA calculation is based on the last 60 credit hours. Calculation of Science GPA is all sciences courses taken. 

Critical Care Nursing Experience

Applicants must demonstrate a minimum of two years of current critical care nursing experience before the commencement of the program. It is important to note that any duration spent in an orientation within the critical care area will not be counted towards fulfilling this two-year requirement. Applicants are required to be actively employed full-time in Critical Care (ICU) at the time of submitting their application and remain fulltime until start date of program.

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 US. 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 (such as pulmonary artery catheter, CVP, arterial); cardiac assist devices; mechanical ventilation; and vasoactive infusions [such as norepinephrine, epinephrine, vasopressin, dobutamine, nicardipine, nitroglycerin]. 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. PACU, "Emergency Room" or "Emergency Department" do not count as ICU experience.

Mental and Physical Requirements

DNAP residents must meet the mental and physical requirements for the DNAP program as follows: 

• Stamina: residents may be required to stand or be on their feet for long periods during surgical procedures. They need to have the physical stamina to handle the demands of lengthy surgeries.
• Manual dexterity: Residents often need to perform delicate tasks, such as inserting and manipulating medical equipment, administering medications, and monitoring vital signs. Good hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills are essential. Must have tactile ability sufficient to perform palpation functions of physical examination and/or those related to therapeutic intervention.
• Physical strength: Residents may need to assist in moving and positioning patients, which can require physical strength. They may also need to help lift heavy equipment or supplies.
• Visual acuity: Sufficient to observe and assess a patient, discriminate color, and depth, read, and accurately complete reports, and visualize diagnostic/monitoring equipment in dim light.
• Hearing to motor: Sufficient to assess patient health needs, to monitor various equipment and background sounds, and to communicate by telephone.
• Mobility: Residents should be able to move swiftly and easily within the operating room or other medical settings. This includes the ability to rapidly bend, twist, and reach to access equipment or assist patients. Have mobility sufficient to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces.
• Communication: Residents must have English communication skills sufficient to interact professionally with others in both verbal and written formats. They must also possess reading skills appropriate for understanding patient charts, reports, and orders, and be able to speak English in a clear and concise manner.
• Endurance: Residents may work long hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays. They should have the endurance to handle these demanding schedules and be alert and focused during their shifts without distraction. 
• Physical health: Residents must maintain their physical health and fitness to meet the demands of their profession. Regular exercise, good nutrition, and proper rest can help optimize physical performance.
• Critical thinking: Possess critical thinking skills sufficient to think clearly and act appropriately in stressful situations.
• Interpersonal Skills: Possess interpersonal skills sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds.

CRNA programs focus on technical standards and fit for safe practice. These  standards typically include the ability to:

• Maintain sustained attention and vigilance in high risk situations
• Make rapid, safe clinical decisions
• Manage stress in prolonged, intense environments 
• Demonstrate emotional regulation and professional judgment
• Perform safely in clinical settings without impairment 

English Language Proficiency

Provide evidence of English language proficiency for applicants whose native/primary language is not English (see English Language Proficiency section in the current AHU Academic Catalog).

Interview

Successfully complete the interview process. Please note that interviews are arranged by invitation only.

Interview Process

Submission of an application does not guarantee an interview. The personal interview helps to provide a realistic evaluation of eligibility for admission into the program, as it may assess oral communication skills, professional behaviors and attitudes, ability to interact in a group, emotional intelligence, leadership abilities, knowledge of the profession, ability to solve problems, and motivation to pursue a complete career in nurse anesthesia. The Admission Committee consists of CRNA faculty and DNAP leadership. The primary requirement for admission into the DNAP program is the applicant’s ability to benefit, as appraised by the DNAP Admission Committee, to successfully complete the 36-month curriculum. Applicants should have strong academic records as evidenced by their cumulative grade point average, demonstrated consistency of academic performance, and strong clinical experience. The committee is interested in determining the candidates’ base knowledge of physiology, invasive monitors, care of ventilated patients, and their knowledge of the drugs they commonly administer in ICU. A firm and clear commitment to the nurse anesthesia profession and to fulfilling the missions of AHU and the DNAP are additional criteria which are assessed through the interview process and the personal essay. Qualities such as maturity and effective interpersonal relationships, as determined from the letters of recommendation and the interview, are also important admission criteria. Each member of the DNAP Admission Committee is given the responsibility to score conscientiously after each applicant’s interview. Scores are collected immediately following the interview. All applicants should dress in professional attire for the interview with the DNAP Admission Committee. All applicants who are offered letters of acceptance must successfully complete the interview process. (Interviews are by invitation only.)

Official Transcripts

Submit current official transcripts from all undergraduate and/or graduate institutions attended, in accordance with the guidelines in the current AHU Academic Catalog. Failure to disclose all colleges or universities previously attended could result in denial of application of submission or dismissal.

We kindly encourage DNAP applicants to complete Statistics and Biochemistry/Organic Chemistry through regionally accredited institutions that meet the program’s academic standards, as courses from Portage Learning or Geneva College are not accepted for the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice program at AHU.

Transcripts from institutions outside the United States must be evaluated by World Education Services (WES). Refer to the Admission Information in the AHU Academic Catalog

If you’re currently enrolled in any course at a regionally accredited institution at which you have previously taken any other courses, you must provide an updated transcript prior to an admission interview and then provide an official transcript upon completion of the course and prior to enrollment.

Nursing License

Residents must possess current, unencumbered Florida RN licensure prior to enrollment in the DNAP program, and must maintain current licensure throughout the DNAP program. The cost for maintenance of licensure is the responsibility of the student as it will be for the rest of your professional career as a CRNA and APRN/RN. 

BLS, PALS, and ACLS Certification

Submit current Basic Life Support (BLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification through the American Heart Association with application. The student/resident is required to maintain this certification throughout the 3-year program.

Critical Care Registered Nurse Certification (CCRN)

Successful completion of the Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) certification is a mandatory prerequisite for enrollment in the program. CCRN must be completed prior to submission of the application. 

Resume

Submit a current professional resume.

DNAP Practice Survey

Submit the completed DNAP practice survey.

Download DNAP Practice Survey (PDF)

Essay

Submit an essay outlining reasons for choosing to become a nurse anesthetist, for choosing to attend a Christian faith-based institution, and for choosing AdventHealth University, specifically.

Recommendations/Evaluation Forms

Submit three recommendation/evaluation forms through NursingCAS.org. One recommendation must be from an immediate Nursing Manager that the applicant has shadowed; one recommendation must be from the immediate supervisor, and one recommendation must be from a current APRN/MD co-worker. Recommendations from friends or family members are not accepted. Only NursingCAS recommendation/evaluation forms will be accepted. Written letters of recommendation are not accepted.

Shadow Verification Form

Submit the completed Shadow Verification Form.

Required to have 24 hours shadowing: three (8 ) hours or two ( 12) hour shifts with in one year of date of the application (May 31 – June 1).

Download Shadow Verification Form (PDF).