AdventHealth Critical Care Nursing Program: Launching Your Career in Nurse Anesthesia

AdventHealth University stands as a beacon for those dedicated to healthcare as a ministry, and its Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) program is a testament to this commitment. Built upon a foundation of strong critical care nursing experience, this program is designed to elevate experienced nurses into highly skilled Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). For those seeking a rigorous and faith-based path to advanced practice nursing, the AdventHealth DNAP program offers a comprehensive and transformative educational journey.

Mission and Values: Healthcare as Ministry

The DNAP program at AdventHealth University is deeply rooted in the institution’s mission of extending the healing ministry of Christ. This mission is evident in every aspect of the program, shaping its objectives and guiding its curriculum. The program aims to:

• Prepare Expert CRNAs: Graduates are equipped to provide exceptional nurse anesthesia care to diverse populations across all ages and in various healthcare settings.
• Doctoral-Level Education: The program delivers a robust doctoral curriculum, ensuring graduates are leaders in the field.
• Accreditation Excellence: Maintaining a high-quality program that consistently meets and exceeds accreditation standards is a core commitment.
• Certification Readiness: The curriculum is meticulously designed to prepare students to successfully achieve national certification in nurse anesthesia.
• Professional Development: Students are nurtured into professional roles, embracing the responsibilities and ethics of advanced practice.
• Evidence-Based Practice: Graduates are trained to critically evaluate and integrate the latest research findings into their anesthesia practice.
• Leadership in Healthcare Ministry: Developing healthcare leaders who embody Christian healing values and serve with compassion is a central program goal.

This mission statement underscores the unique character of the AdventHealth DNAP program, distinguishing it as more than just a path to a career – it’s a calling to serve with specialized skills and a compassionate heart.

Program Overview: A 36-Month Intensive Journey

The Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice program at AdventHealth University is an intensive, full-time commitment spanning 36 continuous months. This rigorous schedule is necessary to provide the comprehensive didactic education and extensive clinical experience required to become a competent and confident CRNA.

Key Program Features:

• DNAP Degree: Upon successful completion of the 127 graduate semester hour program, students are awarded a Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice degree, signifying their advanced expertise and scholarly capabilities.
• Integrated Curriculum: The curriculum seamlessly blends health sciences and nursing sciences, providing a holistic understanding of patient care in anesthesia.
• Research Integration: Students are trained to be not just practitioners, but also scholars who can understand and apply research to enhance their practice and the field of nurse anesthesia.
• Diverse Practice Settings: The program prepares graduates to confidently practice in a wide array of settings, including those serving underserved communities, addressing critical healthcare needs where they are most urgent.
• CRNA and APRN Eligibility: Graduates are eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination to become Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and to apply for state licensure as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), where required.

Intensive Block Format:

Unlike traditional academic calendars with distinct trimesters and breaks, the DNAP program operates on a continuous block format, especially during the clinical practicum sessions. This structure ensures students accumulate the necessary clinical hours and case experience mandated by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). While demanding, this format is crucial for comprehensive training. Pre-scheduled vacation time, typically in one-week increments, is strategically incorporated throughout the year to provide necessary breaks. Detailed dates regarding registration, course drops, and health requirements are available in the AdventHealth University Academic Catalog.

Policies and Expectations: Professional Standards

The DNAP program maintains high standards of professionalism and academic integrity, detailed in the DNAP Student Handbook Supplement. By accepting admission, students agree to adhere to all program policies. Key policies pertinent to applicants include:

• Health Insurance: Continuous health insurance coverage is mandatory for all students participating in clinical rotations, ensuring their well-being and compliance with healthcare facility requirements.
• No Transfer Credit: To maintain the program’s integrity and curriculum standards, transfer credits from other institutions are not accepted. Similarly, auditing of graduate coursework is not permitted.
• Program Transfers: While prior enrollment in other nurse anesthesia programs doesn’t guarantee transfer admission, individuals can apply as new applicants to the AdventHealth DNAP program, meeting all current admission criteria.
• Non-Discriminatory Policy: AdventHealth University and the DNAP program uphold a strict non-discriminatory policy, ensuring equal opportunity for all applicants regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, age, or disability, consistent with legal standards. The program is committed to assessing applicants based on their ability to meet the essential tasks and functions of a nurse anesthetist.
• Academic Integrity: Students are expected to uphold the highest levels of academic integrity, as outlined in the AHU Academic Catalog. Any misconduct or behavior jeopardizing professional performance may result in denial of admission or removal from the program.
• Computer Requirements: Students are required to possess a laptop meeting specific technical requirements to access online learning platforms, course materials, and testing systems. Daily access to email and electronic communication is essential, and students are responsible for maintaining their technology.
• Working Outside of the Program: The DNAP program demands full-time dedication. Outside employment, especially as an RN, is strongly discouraged due to the program’s rigorous demands. If students choose to work, it must not interfere with academic or clinical performance, and working as a nurse anesthetist while in the program is strictly prohibited and grounds for dismissal.

Admission Requirements: Qualifying for the DNAP Program

Admission to the AdventHealth DNAP program is highly competitive. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee an interview or acceptance. The program seeks individuals with strong academic backgrounds and significant critical care nursing experience who demonstrate the potential to excel in nurse anesthesia.

Key Admission Prerequisites:

1. DNAP Application & Fee: Submit a complete application through NursingCAS (www.nursingcas.org) and pay a non-refundable supplemental application fee.
2. RN/APRN License: Possess a current, unencumbered RN or APRN license from a US state or territory. Eligibility for Florida licensure is required at the time of application, even if the current license is from another state.
3. Bachelor’s Degree: Hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or a Bachelor’s degree in a related science field (e.g., Biology, Chemistry). A BSN is preferred, but applicants with a BS in a related field and an Associate’s in Nursing may be considered. Degrees must be from regionally accredited institutions.
4. Prerequisite Coursework: Complete all prerequisite courses with a grade of B or better within ten years of the application deadline.
5. Official Transcripts: Submit official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions. GPAs are calculated based on regionally accredited institutions. Non-disclosure of attended institutions can lead to denial or dismissal. Transcripts from international institutions require evaluation by WES.
6. Minimum GPA: Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale, encompassing both undergraduate and graduate coursework.
7. GRE Scores: Submit official GRE scores taken within the last 5 years. The GRE requirement may be waived for applicants with a prior graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution.
8. Critical Care Nursing Experience: Possess a minimum of one year of recent (within the last 3 years) critical care nursing experience prior to program enrollment. Two or more years of recent intensive critical care experience, particularly with adult populations, is preferred. Critical care experience must be in a critical care area within the US, its territories, or a US military hospital, involving management of invasive hemodynamic monitors, cardiac assist devices, mechanical ventilation, and vasoactive infusions. Examples include Surgical, Cardiothoracic, Coronary, Medical, Pediatric, and Neonatal ICUs.
9. BLS & ACLS Certifications: Submit current Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications from the American Heart Association.
10. Mental and Physical Requirements: Meet specific mental and physical requirements necessary to perform the duties of a nurse anesthetist, including visual acuity, hearing, speech, physical strength and mobility, fine and gross motor skills, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills.
11. Professional Resume: Submit a current professional resume highlighting relevant experience and qualifications.
12. AHU DNAP Practice Survey: Complete and submit the AHU DNAP Practice Survey form.
13. Personal Essay: Write an essay outlining reasons for choosing nurse anesthesia, attending a Christian faith-based institution, and specifically choosing AdventHealth University.
14. Letters of Recommendation: Submit at least three letters of recommendation, including one from a CRNA shadowed, one from an immediate supervisor, and one from a RN/APRN coworker.
15. English Language Proficiency: For applicants whose native language is not English, provide evidence of English language proficiency.

Admission Interview Process:

Following application review, the most qualified candidates are invited for an interview. The interview day includes the Health Sciences Reasoning Test (HSRT) to assess critical thinking skills and a personal interview with the DNAP Admission Committee. The committee evaluates candidates based on academic records, clinical experience, commitment to nurse anesthesia and the missions of AHU and the NAP, maturity, and interpersonal skills. Successful completion of the interview process is mandatory for admission.

Post-Acceptance Requirements and Program Progression

Requirements for Admitted Students:

Upon acceptance and before enrollment, admitted students must fulfill several requirements, including:

1. Meeting continued mental and physical requirements.
2. Providing evidence of required degrees.
3. Obtaining a Florida RN license (if not already held).
4. Passing criminal background checks.
5. Providing satisfactory drug test results.
6. Meeting health and immunization requirements, including Hepatitis B, Influenza, MMR, Varicella, Tdap, and TB screening.
7. Providing proof of health insurance.

Failure to complete these requirements may result in rescission of the acceptance offer.

Program Progression and Academic Standards:

The DNAP program is a structured, lock-step curriculum. Students progress through the program by:

• Achieving a grade of 3.0 or better in all DNAP-labeled courses.
• Maintaining an average grade of 3.0 or better in non-DNAP-labeled courses, with no more than one non-DNAP-labeled course grade between 2.00 and 3.00.
• Receiving a “Pass” grade in all clinical practicum courses.

Academic Failure and Readmission:

Academic failure, defined by grades below “B” in DNAP courses, a GPA below 3.0, or failing grades in multiple non-DNAP courses, leads to dismissal from the program. Students dismissed for academic failure may reapply for future cohorts but must undergo the standard application process. Readmission is not guaranteed and may involve a modified curriculum.

Graduation Requirements: Achieving DNAP and CRNA Eligibility

To graduate from the DNAP program and become eligible for the National Certification Examination for CRNAs, students must:

1. Fulfill all AHU and DNAP program requirements for the DNAP degree.
2. Meet all requirements of accrediting and approval bodies for licensure and certification.
3. Achieve a grade of 3.0 or better in all DNAP-labeled program courses.
4. Maintain an overall GPA of 3.00 or better across the 127 credit hour curriculum.
5. Achieve a grade of 3.00 or better in non-DNAP-labeled courses, with no more than one “C” grade permitted.
6. Receive a “Pass” grade in all clinical practicum courses.
7. Administer the required number of cases in each clinical category.
8. Complete the DNAP Scholarly Project and professional portfolio.
9. Hold current BLS, ACLS, and PALS certifications.
10. Possess a current, unencumbered Florida RN license.
11. Complete all coursework within 72 months of program entry.

Curriculum: Comprehensive DNAP Education

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The AdventHealth University Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice program offers a rigorous and rewarding path for critical care nurses seeking to advance their careers and serve in a specialized and impactful role. Grounded in Christian values and committed to academic excellence, the program prepares graduates to be leaders in nurse anesthesia, providing compassionate, expert care and embodying the healing ministry of Christ.