Program Description
As of 2021, Florida State University has been approved by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) to offer the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) program. Graduates of the DNAP program shall receive a doctoral degree, be an expert in research-based anesthesia clinical practices, be eligible for the CRNA exam, and shall acquire knowledge, skills, and competencies including patient safety, individualized perianesthetic management, critical thinking, and communication skills needed for their professional role.
The DNAP curricular framework was developed with the required standards set forth by the COA, as well as additional coursework that will best develop graduate students into independent advanced practice nurses prepared to enter the workforce. The courses are sequenced in a manner that helps students to blend didactic knowledge with clinical application and culminate in the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and independent critical thinking that are required to practice as a CRNA. Each graduate student will be actively engaged in a scholarly inquiry project which will ultimately be presented at the local and/or national level to a body of peers.
The Nurse Anesthesia Program admits 30 students once a year. The application deadline for consideration of a spot in the DNAP cohort commencing Summer 2023 is January 15, 2023. Please note that you will need to apply for the Summer 2023 term (Graduate 2023-2024) which will open August 1, 2022.
Summer 2023 Applicant Interview Dates: TBD
Accreditation
Initial accreditation was granted January 21, 2015 by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). This agency is identified by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) as a nationally recognized accrediting agency for the accreditation of institutions and programs of nurse anesthesia at the certificate, master’s, or doctoral degree levels in the United States, its territories, and protectorates. In June 2015, the university was notified that the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Board of Trustees reviewed the university’s materials seeking approval of the Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia degree program and approved the program to be included in the scope of the university’s current accreditation.
In June 2020, the COA decided to extend Florida State University's Nurse Anesthesia Program accreditation through May 2021. This extension will enable the program to participate in a virtual accreditation review and follow-up visit in Fall 2020 so that the COA has time to deliberate its continued accreditation decision at the May 2021 meeting.
In June 2021, the COA approved our continued accreditation for the maximum time allowed of 10 years effective May 19, 2021. The program will be scheduled for it’s next consideration of continued accreditation in Spring 2031.
The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) requires that all students matriculating into a Nurse Anesthesia educational program on January 1, 2022 or thereafter be enrolled in a program approved by the COA to award a practice doctoral degree. The program's proposal to offer the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice degree was approved by the COA in February 2021, and the inaugural doctoral cohort commences in the Summer semester of 2021. Further information regarding this transition may be obtained by contacting the program at (850) 770-2420 or svandyke@fsu.edu.
The Council on Accreditation’s contact information is as follows:
- 10275 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 906
- Rosemont, IL 60018-5603
- Phone: (224) 275-9130, Fax: (847) 692-7137
- Email: Accreditation@coa.us.com
Mission Statement
The mission of the Florida State University Nurse Anesthesia Program (NAP) is the advancement of the human sciences through a philosophy of passion infused scientific education, application of clinical education and practice for the betterment of citizens in the community both locally and nationally.
Program Academic Calendar
The Program’s academic calendar ensures that course objectives are met. Clinical practicum courses follow a 365 calendar rather than the FSU academic calendar. Anesthesia clinical practicum placement will begin prior to the official beginning of the semester and continue through term breaks. A record for each student is maintained by NAP Administration.
DNAP
Semesters 1 through 4 of the DNAP program follow the academic calendar of the university (as well as all non-lab or non clinical courses). Lab or clinical courses follow a 365 calendar.
Summer 2022
- Semester 4 dates are : May 9 through July 29
Fall 2022
- Semester 5 are: August 22 through December 9
Spring 2023
- Semester 6 are: January 9 through May 5
MSNA*
Semesters 6 and 7 of the MS program follows a 365 calendar. (Lab or clinical courses)
Summer 2022
- Semester 6 dates are: May 9 through July 29
Fall 2022
- Semester 7 are: August 22 through December 9
*Last MS cohort graduates
Graduation Requirements
In addition to standard Florida State University graduation requirements, students must satisfactorily complete all courses with a 3.0 or better grade point average on a 4.0 scale and complete the clinical case requirements as set by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).
Nurse Anesthesia faculty
Stacey VanDyke, DNP, CRNA
Bayside C-117-A
(850)770-2421
svandyke@fsu.edu
Gerard Hogan, DNSc, CRNA, ARNP-BC
Bayside - 118
(850) 770-2425
ghogan@fsu.edu
Lonnie Hodges, DNP, CRNA
Bayside C-112
(850) 770-2054
lwhodges@fsu.edu
Scott Stewart, DNAP, CRNA
Bayside C-118
(850) 770-2423
sstewart3@fsu.edu