The purpose of the DNP-NA program is to prepare the baccalaureate registered nurse for the highest level of advanced nursing practice with a specialization in nurse anesthesia to provide safe and equitable patient-centered care. Graduates of the program are prepared to meet state, regional, and national needs as doctorally prepared advanced practice nurses in leadership positions 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 Examination offered by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA).
• The DNP-NA admission cycle is open annually from February 1 to July 1.
• Interviews will be conducted in-person during the following dates: August 3-4, August 7-11, and August 14-16, 2023.
To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Note: 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
Candidates who satisfactorily meet these criteria may be invited for an evaluated interview.
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.
Other factors considered for admission to the program:
Last Admission Cycle DNP-NA Statistics:
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.
As a premier advanced practice nursing educational program, the Nurse Anesthesia Program at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University will meet the following program goals:
Upon completion of the DNP-NA Degree Program, the graduate will be able to:
Our faculty members are highly-skilled professionals with diverse backgrounds and a comprehensive blend of clinical practice, content expertise, leadership, and educational experience.
Document Title | Type | File Size | |
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Document Title: DNP NA Program Handbook 2022 23 | Type: pdf | File Size: 647.263 KB | Download |
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University has financial aid counselors available to assist students with the financial aid process. All students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form available at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Semester | Credit Hours | Tuition/Fees | Course Fees | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 9 | $ 5,825.00 | $ 6,759.25 | |
2 | 6 | $ 4,110.00 | $ 4,965.50 | |
3 | 18 | $ 15,738.35 | $ 16,908.85 | |
4 | 18 | $ 16,977.75 | $ 729.00 | $ 18,877.25 |
5 | 10 | $ 9,018.95 | $ 9,979.45 | |
6 | 12 | $ 11,008.65 | $ 12,021.65 | |
7 | 11 | $ 10,943.35 | $250.00 | $ 12,180.10 |
8 | 7 | $ 6,963.95 | $ 7,845.70 | |
9 | 9 | $ 8,953.65 | $ 250.00 | $ 10,137.90 |
*Total | 100 | $ 89,539.65 | $ 1,229.00 | $ 99,675.65 |
*Tuition costs do not include textbooks or any additional costs associated with this program.
The DNP-NA doctoral class of 2022 had a 90% first-time pass rate on the NBCRNA NCE, a graduation rate of 94% and an attrition rate of 6%. Since the August 2005 inception of the Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia (MSNA) program at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University, there have been 421 graduates. Of these graduates, 398 passed the National Board of Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) National Certification Exam (NCE) on the first attempt (95%). Employers consistently rate the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University MSNA and DNP-NA graduates as excellent practitioners with a broad knowledge base who demonstrate competency in administering anesthesia in all specialty areas. Additionally, graduates indicate the program prepared them to function as competent anesthesia providers. Alumni of Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University’s nurse anesthesia program, serve in leadership roles for state associations and several hold positions within the program as faculty. Employment rate as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist for the Class of 2021 is 100% at 6-months post-graduation.
HRSA Grant
For several years the Program has applied and received funding through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Nurse Anesthetist Traineeship (NAT) grant program. The NAT Grants are awarded to accredited institutions that educate registered nurses to become nurse anesthetists; recipient institutions, in turn, disburse funds to students in the form of traineeship support.
In 2020 the program was awarded a three year HRSA NAT Grant. The program utilizes HRSA NAT grant funding to allow for expanded clinical rotations that allow SRNAs to (Address Substance Use Disorders in Underserved Populations). For this academic year students rotating to enrichment rotations will receive a total of $35,993.00. All funding from the grant is awarded to DNP-NA students as a stipend to offset the expenses incurred by students in the clinical setting. Students receive this funding when matriculating into clinical enrichment rotations.
FMOL Sisters Graduate Scholarship
In 2018, the DNP-NA program was awarded the FMOL Sisters Graduate Scholarship. In 2021, the program was once again awarded the FMOL Sisters Graduate Scholarship for an additional three years. The program will receive $80,000 annually from this scholarship. The program utilizes these scholarships to allow for expanded clinical rotations in rural and underserved areas where students are supervised by practitioners seasoned in the delivery of rural health care. Such rural clinical rotations expose the student learner to the importance of rural health care access, potentially increasing the number of graduates that go on to practice in rural and underserved areas. The scholarship money is awarded directly to the DNP-NA student. By offering financial assistance via grant funding, the expenses incurred by the student for rural clinical education and experiences can be partially offset. All students in the DNP-NA Cohorts that graduated in December 2021 and those projected to graduate in December 2022 have received scholarship funding.
Additionally, program administration and faculty have been granted endowments, which provide students with state-of-the-art simulation equipment and experiences. The Program hosts an annual regional anesthesia workshop by Maverick Medical Education, which offers the students hands-on instruction in ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve blockade and POCUS. The DNP-NA program is also home to simulation equipment purchased through endowments, including Intelligent Ultrasound's, Hi-fidelity ultrasound simulators for transesophageal (TEE) and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), and ORSIM, a portable virtual bronchoscope trainer.
Regional Accreditation
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University.
Nurse Anesthesia Program Accreditation
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University's Nurse Anesthesia program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), 10275 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 906, Rosemont, IL 60018-5603 and can be reached at 224-275-9130, via the web at https://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 for continued accreditation in Fall 2028. A list of the educational programs accredited by the COA can be located here.
State Board of Nursing Accreditation
The Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University Doctor of Nursing Practice-Nurse Anesthesia 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/
Licensure
Requirements for professional licensure and certifications can vary by state and can change without notice. All students should consult the state licensing body in the state in which they reside to be licensed to ensure that the degree they earn will meet requirements for licensure in that state.
Non-Discrimination Statement
The University assures free and equal access for all qualified persons without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, pregnancy status, or military status in the admission to, participation in, or employment of its programs and activities. The University will provide reasonable accommodations for students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Students wishing to self-identify are required to contact the Office of Student Affairs. If a student believes that he or she has been discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, pregnancy status, or military status, that student should report the matter to the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, who will seek to assist the student with the resolution of the complaint as described in the Student Complaint and Grievance Procedure.
With support from the Louisiana State Board of Regents and Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, FranU is proud to announce the 2021 FMOL Sisters Graduate Scholarship recipients from the DNP-NA program.
Didactic courses = 1 credit hour = 15 contact hours
Clinical courses = 1 credit hour = 120 contact hours
Lab course = 1 credit hour = 45 contact hours