Program Mission
The mission of Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University’s Nurse Anesthesia Program is to provide diverse learners with the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver safe, equitable and evidence-based, patient-centered care at the highest level of advanced nursing practice. The program develops leaders and scholars who transform systems of care by improving the quality of care and patient outcomes in a variety of healthcare settings. The program achieves this mission through the creation of an environment that promotes professional socialization, embraces diverse cultures and learning styles, recognizes achievement and promotes excellence while exemplifying the mission and traditions of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady.
Program Level Student Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
Upon completion of the DNP-NA program, the graduate will be able to:
- Integrate nursing science, advanced levels of systems thinking and accountability in designing, delivering and evaluating evidence-based practice to improve healthcare quality;
- Demonstrate leadership by applying principles of organizational and systems theory, to envision, design, evaluate and manage health organizational systems;
- Translate research and generate evidence to guide improvements in practice and outcomes of care;
- Incorporate healthcare information systems and patient care technologies to improve and transform programs of care and care systems;
- Influence healthcare systems through the design, implementation and evaluation of healthcare policies;
- Collaborate interprofessionally in the development and implementation of practice models, peer review, practice guidelines, healthcare policy, standards of care and scholarly projects;
- Generate, implement and evaluate health promotion/disease prevention interventions and strategies to address gaps in the care of individuals and populations;
- Apply critical thinking and requisite knowledge to provide safe, ethical, evidence-based anesthesia care services to culturally-diverse individuals across the lifespan.
Program Length and Enrollment Requirements
The DNP-NA program is a 3 year continuous program that requires the completion of 100 credit hours, including a final DNP project, anesthesia lab experience with high fidelity simulation and task trainers, and 2500 clinical hours. The first two semesters of the program are delivered via distance education in order to allow the registered nurse the ability to continue practice in the critical care setting. After the first two semesters the program requires continuous didactic and clinical instruction to provide the requisite number of anesthesia cases, classroom hours, and clinical hours for each student. Due to the intensity of the program, it is recommended that students do not work once they begin anesthesia (ANES) courses in the first Fall semester.
Students are required to attend full-time in the sequence listed in the curriculum plan. There are currently no provisions for part-time study. Students who have a break in enrollment must re-apply for admission.
To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Baccalaureate or higher degree in nursing from an accredited ACEN or CCNE accredited school of nursing college or university
- Cumulative undergraduate weighted grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
All attempted courses will be factored into the undergraduate grade point average calculation
- Minimum of 1-year full-time recent experience as a registered nurse in an adult critical care unit (2 years recommended)
Recent experience is defined as within the previous two calendar years. Critical care experience in other areas (i.e. PICU, NICU) may be considered provided the applicant demonstrates competence with managing unstable patients, invasive monitoring, ventilator management, and critical care pharmacology
- Current, unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse (RN) in any state with eligibility for licensure in Louisiana;
- Current Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certifications
- Completion of application requirements by July 1st as stated in the graduate application instructions
- Submission of three professional letters of recommendation (one (1) from current immediate supervisor; one (1) from peer)
- Ability to meet and comply with the DNP-NA Core Performance Standards; and
- CCRN certification required for reapplication
English Proficiency Requirement
In addition to meeting all other applicable requirements for admission, non-native speakers of English must demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency. This can be demonstrated by submitting any one of the following: an SAT verbal/critical reading score of at least 430; an ACT English subtest score of at least 18; a Duolingo English Test score of at least 105; an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test score of at least 6.5; or a TOEFL iBT (internet-based test) score of 79 or paper-based test with sub scores each being 20 or higher.
Admission Process
Admission to the Nurse Anesthesia program occurs once each year. The application deadline is July 1. Classes begin in January of the following year. Admission to the Nurse Anesthesia program is competitive and is based on the stated admission requirements. Applicants must ensure their applications are complete by the published deadline to be considered for an interview. Qualified applicants are interviewed by program representatives. Once admitted to the program and prior to beginning coursework, the student must obtain unencumbered RN licensure in the State of Louisiana and PALS certification.
Year 1 - Spring
| NURS 6245 | Professional Aspects for DNP | 2 |
| NURS 6315 | Advanced Practice Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice | 3 |
| IPGC 6315 | Applied Biostatistics and Epidemiology | 3 |
| IPGC 6125 | Bioethics | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Year 1 - Summer
| NURS 7360 | Leading and Managing Health Care Systems | 3 |
| NURS 7340 | Decision Science and Informatics | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
Year 1 - Fall
| ANES 7310 | Physical Science in Nurse Anesthesia | 3 |
| ANES 7425 | Advanced Anatomy, Physiology and Pathophysiology I | 4 |
| ANES 7435 | Principles of Anesthesia Practice I | 4 |
| NURS 6340 | Advanced Health Assessment and Health Promotion | 3 |
| NURS 6410 | Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nursing | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
Year 2 - Spring
| ANES 7455 | Advanced Anatomy Physiology and Pathophysiology II | 4 |
| ANES 7445 | Advanced Pharmacology for Nurse Anesthesia | 4 |
| ANES 7465 | Principles of Anesthesia Practice II | 4 |
| NURS 7320 | Health Care Policy and Policy Advancement | 3 |
| ANES 7340 | Anesthesia Skills and Simulation Lab | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
Year 2 - Summer
| ANES 7710 | Clinical Practicum I | 4 |
| ANES 7375 | Principles of Anesthesia Practice III | 3 |
| NURS 6350 | Theoretical and Philosophical Foundations of Nursing Science | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 10 |
Year 2 - Fall
Year 3 - Spring
Year 3 - Summer
Year 3 - Fall
Clinical Courses = 1 credit hour = 120 hours
Lab Course = 1 credit hour = 45 contact hours
In order to meet DNP-NA degree requirements, students must:
- Satisfactorily complete all required courses;
- Satisfactorily complete a DNP Project;
- Satisfactorily complete all requirements of the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) and the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA).
- Pass the NBCRNA Self-Evaluation Exam (SEE) with a minimum score of 435.
- Clearance of all indebtedness to Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University, including the return of all materials borrowed from the University Library.
Licensure
Requirements for professional licensure and certification can vary by state and can change without notice. All students should consult the state licensing body in the state in which they reside or seek to be licensed to ensure that the degree they earn will meet requirements for licensure in that state.
https://franu.edu/offices-services/distance-education/licensure-disclosures
Accreditation
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice - Nurse Anesthesia program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation for Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), 10275 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 906, Rosemont, IL 60068-5603 via the web at www.coacrna.org, or by email: accreditation@coacrna.org. The program received 10 years of continued accreditation in October of 2018 and is scheduled for its next consideration of continued accreditation in Fall 2028.
The program is fully approved by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing (17373 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70810, (225) 755 7500, http://www.lsbn.state.la.us)