NAP Admissions Requirements

Admission to the DNAP program is a two-fold evaluation process. The Office of Admissions determines eligibility for admission to the University and the academic department or college determines admissibility to the degree program. Final admission to the University is subject to approval by the Office of Admissions.

Please note that the Nurse Anesthesia Program does not accept transfer students. Further, because the program is cohort based, it does not offer advance standing or accept transfer graduate credits.

Departmental application requirements to be met prior to the published deadline:

  • Baccalaureate or Master's degree in Nursing (BSN or MSN) obtained from a regionally accredited institution of higher education in the United States.
  • Chemistry – One semester of general college-level chemistry is required within 5 years with a grade of B or better.  A course in organic and/or biochemistry would be a good choice for a second chemistry course.
  • An upper-division grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or greater on a 4.0 scale.
  • Registered Professional Nurse (RN) license that is current, valid, unrestricted, in one jurisdiction of the United States.
  • Registered Professional Nurse (RN) current experience of at least one year in a critical care setting, such as Surgical Intensive Care, Cardiothoracic 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. Traditional adult ICU experience (CVICU, SICU, and MICU) will be considered first.
    • The Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) was implemented in Florida on January 19, 2018 – visit the Florida Board of Nursing website for future updates about the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact. The Florida Board of Nursing website is located here: http://floridasnursing.gov/
  • A competitive Graduate Record Examination (GRE) taken within 5 years of application. A score of more than 300 combined is recommended.
  • References from
    • an immediate supervisor familiar with your critical care RN work
    • a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). This person does not have to be familiar necessarily with you or your RN work. Simply arrange some time to discuss nurse anesthesia with this CRNA.
  • Current health certifications:
    • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification
    • Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
    • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification (preferred but required upon admission)
    • Current Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) certification (encouraged)
  • Drug Screen/Background Check/Fingerprints will be performed once accepted into our program. These will be completed through CastleBranch at the applicant's expense (code will be provided). Offer is contingent upon the successful completion and favorable results of a criminal background check with fingerprints. Failure to comply with this requirement or to pass the drug screen will automatically end the applicant’s admission process.
  • Immunization record/titers:
    • TB Skin Test
    • Communicable Disease Requirements: Evidence of immunity to Rubella (German Measles), Rubeola (Red Measles), Mumps, Varicella (Chicken pox)must be provided:
    • Hepatitis B Vaccination Series
    • Seasonal Tdap Vaccine
    • Seasonal Flu

Application Process

  • Apply to Florida State University by the academic deadline. (See FSU’s graduate admissions requirements for deadlines and more information)
  • Pay the $30 application fee (non-refundable, payable to Florida State University)
  • Send official transcripts from all colleges or universities previously attended, including a bachelor’s degree in a nursing
    • Official transcripts must be sent directly from all post-secondary education to Florida State University in Panama City, Florida. (Student copies are NOT accepted).
    • Transfer credit posted on the record(s) of other institutions is not accepted in lieu of transcripts from the original institution. Official transcripts for these credits must be submitted.
    • Transcripts are considered official when they bear the official seal and signature and are sent from the issuing college/university directly to Florida State University. The Office of Admissions will obtain FSU transcripts or official transcripts already on file. Submit official transcripts to:
      Florida State University
      PCC Office of Admissions
      4750 Collegiate Drive
      Panama City, Florida 32405-1099
  • Submit competitive GRE scores taken within five years of application.
    • To schedule your GRE, please visit www.ets.org/gre
    • Arrange to have your official GRE score sent directly to Florida State University. The GRE reporting code is 5219.
    • GRE scores are considered official when sent directly to the Office of Admissions from the testing agency. Examinee copies are not considered official
  • Submit the following credentials and documentation directly to the online departmental application.
    • Curriculum Vitae: A summary of your education, professional history and qualifications that includes recent full-time work experience, or its part-time equivalent, as a registered nurse in a critical care setting for at least one year
    • RN license: Current, valid, unrestricted, professional nursing license in one jurisdiction of the United States
    • Two (2) recommendations: A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist reference and Immediate Supervisor reference are required from a current or previous immediate supervisor familiar with your critical care RN work experience. You will need your recommenders’ email addresses to add to your online application.
    • Driver’s License: Current, valid unrestricted driver’s license from the United States.
    • Current health certifications:
    • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification
    • Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
    • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification (preferred but required upon admission)
    • Current Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) certification (encouraged)
    • Employment Verification (pdf) This form must be filled out and then uploaded into the portal during the application process.

Following receipt of all the application materials and screening for the University requirements, eligible applications will be forwarded to the Program Review Committee. The Review Committee will further screen the applications for program specific requirements and extend an invitation for a personal interview to qualified applicants. After interview of all applicants, the Review Committee will make its recommendations for program admission.

* Admission is on a competitive basis for a limited number of positions. As a result, applicants may meet minimum admission requirements, but may not be selected for a personal interview or admission.

Admitted Students