Nurse Anesthesia: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the application deadline?

September 1, 2009 for the class starting in September 2010.? The 2010 application will be available approximately April 1, 2009.

How many students do you accept each year?

10

What are the application requirements for nurse anesthesia?

The application for 2010 will be online approximately April 1, 2009. While you are waiting for the application, you can start planning for the application process. Listed below are the DNP application requirments for nurse anesthesia.

• Current nursing license
• Prior Education: BSN or entry-level Master of Nursing
• Grade Point Average (GPA)
• Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores: The GRE must have been taken after October 1, 2003.
• English language proficiency (see www.nursing.umn.edu/PhD/Admissions/TOEFL/home.html for more information)
• Immunizations (see www.bhs.umn.edu for more information)
• Two essays:
  • Summary of Proposed Capstone Leadership Project
  • A second essay to be chosen from a provided list
• Personal interview
• Curriculum vitae
• Three Admission Reference Forms with corresponding letters of reference (will be available online)
• Two Clinical Performance Evaluation Forms (will be available online)
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended
• Clinical experience in high-acuity adult surgical critical care preferred (minimum of 1 year). Other critical experience considered on an individual basis.

Why are you starting the class in fall, rather than summer?

To be in synch with the other advanced practice areas of study, we will be starting new classes in the fall.

What do you look for in an applicant?

The typical successful applicant has an undergraduate GPA of 3.4 to 4.0, approximately three years of high-acuity adult surgical critical care experience, good personal references, and knowledge about what a CRNA does on a daily basis. With the implementation of the DNP curriculum, the Admissions Committee will look for evidence of leadership potential. We look at each applicant individually, and make a decision based on all the criteria.

How many applications do you get each year?

Each year we receive between 60-100 applications for the 10 available positions. It is not unusual for applicants to apply more than once before gaining acceptance into the nurse anesthesia area of study.

When will I know if I am granted an interview?

Nurse anesthesia faculty review applicant files in early September; interviews are conducted in October. All applicants receive a letter informing them of whether or not they are granted an interview.

Do you interview all applicants?

We are unable to interview all qualified applicants. Typically, we interview 30 applicants for the 10 positions.

When do you select the class?

Shortly after the last interview, we make a preliminary class selection. The class selection is then reviewed and approved by the Graduate Admissions and Progressions Committee. The Graduate Admissions and Progressions Committee then notifies all applicants of their status (admitted, wait list, not admitted). This process typically takes place by late November or early December.

Do you have a waiting list?

Yes, we have a waiting list for the each class. If you are on the waiting list, you will know your position on the list. The waiting list does not carry over to the next year.

Who should complete the clinical performance reference forms?

The Clinical Performance Evaluations Forms should be completed by your supervisors or colleagues who are familiar with your clinical skills.

Are there any classes I can take ahead of time?

If you are accepted into the nurse anesthesia area of study, you can take certain classes before the program actually starts in the fall term. Please contact Dr. Fagerlund for more information about which courses you can take.

What is your pass rate on the National Certification Examination?

Our pass rate for graduates taking the National Certification Exam one time is 94%. For graduates taking the National Certification Exam twice, the pass rate is 99%

Do students administer regional anesthesia in your program?

Yes, students administer regional anesthesia in this program. Students also insert arterial lines and central venous lines.

Does the program run year around?

Yes, the 36-month nurse anesthesia program runs year around. Students register for classes during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Students get a 2-week winter break, 1-week spring break, and 1-week summer break each year of the program.

What is your attrition rate?

The 10-year attrition rate for 1999-2008 is 1.1%

Are your graduates able to find jobs upon graduation?

Except for an occasional graduate who, at graduation, is deciding which job offer to accept, 100% of our graduates have jobs on the day of graduation.

What are some of the resources available for funding my education?

Students in the Nurse Anesthesia Area of Study may receive a stipend from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The stipend is determined on a yearly basis as federal funds become available. To receive the stipend, students must complete paperwork to become temporary VA employees. This paperwork is completed after acceptance into the Nurse Anesthesia Area of Study.

Nurse Anesthetist Traineeship

The University of Minnesota School of Nursing requests funds from the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Nursing, on a yearly basis. These funds, as part of the Nurse Training Act, are awarded to second-year students in the Nurse Anesthesia Area of Study if congress appropriates the money. The award amount varies each year. These funds are a grant and do not have to be paid back.

Sign-On Bonuses

The shortage of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) has prompted many employers (primarily hospitals) to award significant sign-on bonuses in return for some years of service to the awarding hospital. Often the sign-on bonuses are paid during school to offset tuition and living expenses.

Loans

Students typically take out educational loans because it is difficult to work while completing the Nurse Anesthesia Area of Study. Here is the link for financial aid information: www.onestop.umn.edu/onestop/financialaid.html.

Office of Multicultural and Academic Affairs

The nurse anesthesia area of study encourages applications from students with diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds. Please view the Office of Multicultural and Academic Affairs Web site for information on scholarships and tuition adjustments: www.oma.umn.edu/scholarship.html.