Program Admission Requirements
In addition to the Graduate School Admission Requirements , Nurse Anesthesia program applicants must possess a B.S.N. from a regionally accredited college or university, and nationally accredited (National League for Nursing-NLNAC) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) nursing program. Overall grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale based on the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework. They must present a satisfactory score on the General Test of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) and have completed undergraduate or graduate courses in basic statistics, general chemistry and research with a “C” or better in each. Three professional references with one being from a current or recent immediate nursing supervisor. A personal interview is also required. Must possess Basic, Pediatric, and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification (BCS-PALS-ACLS) and licensure or eligibility for licensure as a professional nurse in North Carolina. Applicants must have a minimum of one year of full-time critical care experience (2,080 hours) within the two years prior to application.These hours exclude time spent in orientation or work performed in a supervisory role.Patient care must be direct and involve the application of critical thinking skills, independent decision-making, working with vasoactive drugs, ventilators, invasive monitors, interpretation of EKG data, hemodynamic waveforms, and laboratory values. Other valuable experience could include active participation in codes, acute airway management, administration of sedatives and nondepolarizing muscle relaxants. Acceptable critical care units include in order of preference: Surgical, Neuro-Trauma, Cardiothoracic, Cardio Vascular, Medical, Cardiac, Pediatric or Neonatal Intensive Care. Experience that does not apply includes: Emergency Room, flight Nursing, Operating Room, Post-Anesthesia Care Unit, ICU Step-down or transition areas, Radiology/Cath. Lab, Most Medical Coronary Care Units. Selection will be based on the applicant’s qualifications including prior success in undergraduate and graduate studies, recency of courses taken (e.g. science coursework less than 5 years old), scholarly accomplishments (publications, research), communication skills, additional certifications (e.g. CCRN), and overall potential for professional growth. Exception to any of the admission requirements will be considered on an individual basis. Meeting minimum requirements for admission does not guarantee acceptance for an interview or enrollment into the competitive graduate program.
Highly qualified applicants may be review and offered early acceptance prior to the application deadline. Classes are typically filled following the application deadline. Pending seat availability, highly qualified applicants may be reviewed and offered admission beyond the application deadline.
Program Description
The Nurse Anesthesia Program will provide students with academic and clinical experiences that lead to an M.S. degree. The 28 month program is full-time and requires a minimum of 66 course credits. New classes will be admitted in January of each year for the spring semester. The program will require travel to assigned clinical facilities in Western North Carolina including weekend and call rotations. A written comprehensive exam will be required during the final semester. The research requirement is a two-hour project that is to be completed during the final semesters of the program. Students selecting the thesis option will be exempt from the research project requirement.
In addition to the academic requirements, students are expected to adhere to the technical and professional standards of the program. For the most up to date information regarding these standards, program suspension, and termination refer to the program’s website linked from the College of Health and Human Sciences.
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