Doctor of Nursing Practice: Nurse Anesthesia Track (BSN to DNP)

The Doctor of Nursing Practice: Nurse Anesthesia Track (BSN to DNP) is designed for post-BSN students seeking doctoral preparation for advanced practice as a Nurse Anesthetist. The curriculum provides students with the specialized knowledge and skills necessary to care for diverse patient populations across the lifespan. Graduates of the program are prepared to assume clinical leadership roles in health-related organizations to improve systems of care, patient outcomes, and quality of care. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to sit for the National Certification Exam (NCE) offered by the National Board on Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA).

Successful completion of the nurse anesthesia program requires a substantial time commitment averaging 55-64 hours per week (includes class time, clinical, and study time) during the 36-month program. The curriculum is designed for 36-months of full-time study. Historically, given the rigorous nature of the program, students find it difficult to subsidize their educational expenses through part-time employment.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the BSN-DNP track requires approval by the Graduate Nursing Admission, Progression, and Graduation Committee. Admission of applicants is based upon the following criteria:

1. BSN from a CCNE or ACEN accredited nursing program.

2. Official transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate course work. (Transcripts must be mailed directly from previous institution(s) to the Admission Office.)

3. Minimum required GPA of 3.0 for undergraduate work and 3.5 for any graduate work.

4. Proof of active, unrestricted license to practice nursing in Kentucky and/or compact states.

5. A minimum of one year (two years preferred), current, continuous full-time employment as a registered nurse in a critical care* setting.

6. Critical Care Registered Nurse certification REQUIRED

7. Current Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification required for application. Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) must be obtained prior to clinical rotations.

8. Three professional letters of reference (at least one must be from current employer/direct supervisor).

9. Personal statement describing career goals and interests in graduate study.

10. Proof of shadowing experience (on form provided) with either a CRNA or an anesthesiologist.

11. Successful interview with members of the Nurse Anesthesia Admission Committee for selected applicants.

12. Non-refundable matriculation fee of $1,000 if accepted into the program. Matriculation fee will be applied to the student’s account on admission. If the applicant chooses not to enroll in the program, the matriculation fee will be forfeited.

13. After acceptance, documentation of clinical requirements including immunizations, physical examination, background check, drug test, health insurance, and other documentation as needed.

14. All candidates who are accepted to the BSN-DNP Nurse Anesthesia track will be expected to sign the Technical Standards Acknowledgement prior to beginning course work and to reaffirm upon reentry after any leave of absence from Bellarmine University (see Technical Standards Policy for the BSN-DNP Nurse Anesthesia Track).

15. Additional information is required from international applicants; see the DNP admission application form for more information.

16. Language Proficiency: Language proficiency is required to ensure that students within the department of nursing are able to communicate with a diverse population.

The department of nursing accepts one of the following as evidence of required language proficiency. Only official score reports will be accepted.

• TOEFL-iBT (internet-based test) and receive a total score of 83 or higher AND a score of 26 or higher on the speaking test OR

• IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and receive a total band score of 7 or higher AND a speaking band score of 8 or higher OR

• Language training at an approved center. Bellarmine University recognized the following standards and centers: English Language Services level 112 (http://www.els.edu/en); Interlink Level 5 (http://interlink.edu/); Intensive Language Program at Indiana University Level 6 (http://iep.indiana.edu/); and other centers may be approved at the discretion of the Admission, Progression and Graduation committee of the Department of Nursing.

International students who are exempt from language proficiency requirements are the following:

• Students who are citizens of or have completed a degree from a TOEFL exempt country.

• Students who have a secondary or high school diploma earned in TOEFL exempt countries.

• International students who have completed at least one year of full-time university study or its equivalent (i.e., a minimum of 24 earned credit hours or its equivalent and earned a 2.0 GPA) in a TOEFL exempt country.

*Critical care is defined by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) as: “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 United States. 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 (e.g., pulmonary artery, central venous pressure, and arterial catheters), cardiac assist devices, mechanical ventilation, and vasoactive infusions. 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….” (Standards for Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Programs, Practice Doctorate, 2016).