All anesthesia specialty courses will be held at the Union Square Campus (USC) in Greensboro. The USC building is a state-of-the-art nursing education building outfitted with technology classrooms, labs, simulation space, and an OR suite. Additional amenities include easy access parking, student lockers, a student lounge with refrigerators and microwave, and student study areas.

PREREQUISITES FOR ADMISSION

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a program accredited by the National League for Nursing (NLNAC) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Minimum 3.2 GPA
• Completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) within five years of application.
• Basic Life Support (BLS); Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) & Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification
• CCRN certification*
• Satisfactory completion of an undergraduate Health Assessment course
• Satisfactory completion of undergraduate Chemistry (three semester hours)
• Satisfactory completion of an undergraduate course in Statistics. High School AP coursework and “testing out” at college acceptance is not accepted.
• A minimum of one year of continuous full-time acute care experience in a critical care setting
• A minimum of 2 shadowing experiences with a CRNA. The CRNA should document the shadowing experience, sign and date and give to the applicant.

* Applicants will not be considered for an interview until they have received their CCRN certification.

While enrolled in the program, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA to be successful. UNCG DNP Nurse Anesthesia Concentration does not consider “average” students to be successful candidates. Only students showing strong academic ability will be considered for admission.

Students receive the required clinical practicum experience under the instruction/supervision of CRNAs and anesthesiologists. The hours of practicum vary in order to offer a wide variety of clinical experiences and to enable the student to correlate theory and practice. Graduate and clinical clock hours average approximately 35 hours per week per semester. Additional time is required for preoperative and postoperative visits, care planning, and independent study. The time committed to study, class, and practice may consume over 60 hours per week.

Admission to the Nurse Anesthesia Concentration program is on a competitive basis. Students are chosen on the basis of their academic record and general fitness for the study of anesthesia nursing. All students accepted to the program must furnish, before enrollment, complete immunizations, vaccinations, licensure, TB testing, flu shots, drug screen, and background check as requested by UNCG Graduate School.

The UNCG DNP Nurse Anesthesia Concentration program does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion, creed, veteran status or any factor protected under state or federal law in its programs, activities, or any protected classes required to maintain our accreditation with the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policy:

Nancy Shedlick, DNAP, CRNA
Program Administrator
UNCG Graduate School of Nursing
DNP Nurse Anesthesia Concentration
124 East Gate City Blvd
Greensboro, NC 27406
336-553-6084

The Occupational Safety and Health Act, which is applicable to the clinical sites at which RSNA students are required to work, specifically states that the religious exemption from medical examinations, immunizations, or treatment does not apply if requiring that a person undergo these activities is necessary for the protection of the health and safety of others.

UNCG DNP Nurse Anesthesia will start accepting applications July 1, 2020 to Oct. 1, 2020, for matriculating August 2021.
UNCG’s DNP Nurse Anesthesia Concentration application process is completed through the Graduate School at UNC Greensboro.

Note: For applicants applying to the CRNA program for Fall 2021 admission, the following prerequisite requirements have been suspended, not waived, and are due before any offer of acceptance can be completed: GRE scores, the shadowing of a CRNA for two days requirement, and current BLS, ACLS, and PALS certifications. To clarify, these requirements have been suspended but are still required. This was put in place due to the testing centers and AHA certification classes being closed. The testing centers are open, and classes are being held. To be  most competitive, it is recommended that you have these required items as soon as possible, before your application is submitted if possible.  A complete application is still required and in your best interest. 

Apply online via The Graduate School website (Apply Now) to start the process. The UNCG deadline for applications to attend the UNCG DNP Nurse Anesthesia Concentration Program is Oct 1, 2020, for the 2021-22 academic year. The application fee for UNCG Graduate School is $65.00. Your application is your responsibility and email is an integral source of communication with the DNP Nurse Anesthesia Concentration program. Please check your email at least daily. You must list three references. One reference should be for your immediate supervisor and another one for a professional colleague that you have worked with. The third reference is your choice. While the UNCG DNP Nurse Anesthesia Concentration program does not have a separate “application”, we do have requirements for admission which are included in the Graduate School application and detailed under the Prospective Students link above.

If an applicant is qualified for an interview, they will be contacted to schedule it as soon as their application is complete to the DNP Nurse Anesthesia Concentration Program. Please remember, all applications are reviewed carefully and not all applicants will qualify for an interview.

If you are selected for an interview, the interview dates will start the first week of November 2020.

Prerequisites for admission to UNCG’s Graduate School can be found on their website: UNCG Graduate School of Nursing.

An official GRE score report must be sent to UNCG school code 5913. This is required for the DNP program regardless of GPA (unless you have an MSN in which case it is waived for admission to the DNP program).

If you are currently enrolled in course work to meet prerequisites, verification of completion must be submitted to the Graduate School before an interview will be considered.

For all eligible applicants, personal interviews are required. The DNP Nurse Anesthesia Concentration Program will only interview applicants who meet prerequisites for admission. The DNP Nurse Anesthesia Admissions Committee reviews the credentials of each applicant and an invitation for a personal interview may be extended to the qualified applicants. Submitting an application by the application deadline does not guarantee an interview. Specific dates for interviews are predetermined and interviews are only conducted on these dates. Following the interview dates, final admission decisions are made. Admission to the DNP Nurse Anesthesia Concentration program is for the beginning of the following Fall semester. Full-time participation in the program is required; therefore, students are urged to plan finances carefully to avoid the need for employment. It is very important to monitor the status of your application through your email.

For questions regarding the application process, please email Betty Coats at BJCoats@uncg.edu.

Course Semester	Course Title/(Delivery Method(/[Credits]	Clinical Hours
Year 1
Semester I – Fall	NUR 727 – Basic Principles of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (Campus) [5 cr.] NUR 728 – Physics and Mechanics of Anesthesia Delivery Systems (Campus) [1 cr.] NUR 728L – Lab: Physics and Mechanics of Anesthesia Delivery Systems (Campus) [1 cr.] NUR 729 – Health Assessment for Nurse Anesthesia (Campus) [1 cr.] NUR 729L – Lab: Health Assessment for Nurse Anesthesia (Campus) [1 cr.] NUR 730 – Neuropathophysiology of Nurse Anesthesia (Campus) [3 cr.]
Semester II – Spring	NUR 714 – Informatics in Healthcare (Online) [3 cr.] NUR 751 – Pharmacology of Nurse Anesthesia I (Campus) [1 cr.] NUR 771a – Clinical Practicum in Nurse Anesthesia I* (Campus) [6 cr.] NUR 732 – Advanced Principles of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (Campus) [4 cr.]	360 Hrs – (Nur771a)*
Semester III – Summer	NUR 705 – Utilization of Research and Evidence-Based Practice (Online) [3 cr.] NUR 771b – Clinical Practicum in Nurse Anesthesia I (Campus) [8 cr.]	480 Hrs – (Nur771b)*
Year 2
Semester IV – Fall	NUR 753 – Cardiovascular Pathophysiology for Nurse Anesthesia (Campus) [3 cr.] NUR 754 – Pharmacology of Nurse Anesthesia II (Campus) [1 cr.] NUR 772 – Clinical Practicum in Nurse Anesthesia II (Campus) [6 cr.] NUR 898a – Applied EBP & Translational Methods Project I (Campus) [1 cr.]	360 Hrs – (Nur772)*
Semester V – Spring	NUR 756 – Respiratory Pathophysiology for Nurse Anesthesia (Campus) [3 cr.] NUR 757 – Pharmacology of Nurse Anesthesia III (Campus) [1 cr.] NUR 773a – Clinical Practicum in Nurse Anesthesia III (Campus) [6 cr.] NUR 818 – Biostatistics and Epidemiology Principles for Advanced Practice Nurses (Hybrid) [3 cr.] NUR 898b – Applied EBP & Translational Methods Project II (Campus) [1 cr.]	360 Hrs – (Nur773a)*
Semester VI – Summer	NUR 752 – Biochemistry for Nurse Anesthesia (Campus) [1 cr.] NUR 755 – Cell Pathophysiology for Nurse Anesthesia (Campus) [1 cr.] NUR 773b – Clinical Practicum in Nurse Anesthesia III (Campus) [8 cr.] NUR 898c – Applied EBP & Translational Methods Project III (Campus) [1 cr.]	480 Hrs – (Nur773b)*
Year 3
Semester VII – Fall	NUR 759 – Pharmacology of Nurse Anesthesia IV (Campus) [1 cr.] NUR 774 – Clinical Practicum in Nurse Anesthesia IV* (Campus) [6 cr.] NUR 819 – Effective Leadership for Practice (Online) [3 cr.] NUR 898d – Applied EBP & Translational Methods Project IV (Campus) [1 cr.]	360 Hrs – (Nur774)*
Semester VIII – Spring	NUR 620 – Law, Policy, and Economics of Healthcare (Online) [3 cr.] NUR 820 – Seminar for Nurse Anesthesia Advanced Practice (Campus) [1 cr.] NUR 758 – Pathophysiology of Abdominal Systems for Nurse Anesthesia (Campus) [3 cr.] NUR 775a – Clinical Practicum in Nurse Anesthesia V* (Campus) [6 cr.] NUR 898e – Applied EBP & Translational Methods Project V (Campus) [2 cr.]	360 Hrs – (Nur775a)*
Semester IX – Summer	NUR 775b – Clinical Practicum in Nurse Anesthesia V* (Campus) [7cr.] NUR 797 – Clinical Integration Concepts (Campus) [1cr.]	420 Hrs – (Nur775b)*

The University of North Carolina DNP NA Concentration Program Respects the Following Rights:

APPLICANTS HAVE THE RIGHT TO:

• Be treated with respect and to expect their application to be reviewed fairly and without discrimination.
• To receive accurate information about the program, the University and clinical sites.
• To be informed of graduate success on the National Certification Examination.
• To speak with faculty and/or students currently in the program.
• To receive a letter from the Program Administrator about the admission decision.

APPLICANTS HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY:

• Of ensuring the application and supporting documentation is accurate and complete and received by the University and the program.
• For notifying the program if he/she wishes to withdraw from the application process.
• For assessing and exploring financial aid, monetary stipends or monetary clinical work contracts.
• For accepting or refusing to accept an offer of a position in the program.
• For accepting or refusing an alternate position in the program.
• For notifying the program if he/she has accepted a position in the program and has a change of plans that prevent them from enrolling.

FACULTY HAS THE RIGHT:

• To be treated with respect by students.
• To be treated with respect by the program administrator and other faculty/staff.
• To know the objective(s) for the course that he/she will teach.
• To remove a student from the classroom or the clinical area if the integrity of the class or the safety of the patient becomes compromised.
• To see course evaluations and to discuss the evaluations with the program administrator.
• To provide feedback regarding the program, curriculum, and students and make suggestions for improvements.

FACULTY HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY:

• To provide feedback regarding the program, curriculum, and students and make suggestions for improvements.
• To demonstrate respect for students and the learning process.
• To evaluate student performance in the classroom and in the clinical area.
• To evaluate the success of teaching strategies.
• To evaluate the success of evaluation methods.
• To be prepared for lectures.
• To have a good understanding of the material that he/she is teaching.
• To place patient safety first and above all else.

STUDENTS HAVE THE RIGHT:

• To be treated with respect and as a member of the program and the clinical site.
• To have the educational process viewed as an interchange between student and instructor.
• To meet faculty during appropriate office hours.
• To expect faculty to be prepared for class/clinical.
• To have syllabi for each didactic and clinical course with the objectives of the course or clinical experience.
• To fair and timely evaluation of progress and to receive constructive feedback for improvement.
• To provide feedback in a timely and professional manner regarding the program, curriculum, clinical experience, and faculty.
• To provide suggestions for improving the program, curriculum, clinical experience and faculty.

STUDENTS HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY:

• To provide feedback in a timely and professional manner regarding the program, curriculum clinical experience, and faculty.
• To provide suggestions for improving the program, curriculum, clinical experience and faculty.
• To have syllabi for each didactic and clinical course and to know the objectives of the course or clinical experience and to make every effort to attain the objectives.
• To complete all projects and assignments on time.
• To seek learning experiences and be available for these experiences even if attaining them is outside of scheduled times.
• To respect faculty, classmates, staff, and other members of the perioperative team.
• To place patient safety first and above all else.

PATIENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

UNCG DNP Nurse Anesthesia Concentration shall ensure that students are current with OSHA and HIPPA regulations each year of enrollment. Additionally, the Rights and Responsibilities of Patients for each clinical site are included in the UNCG DNP Nurse Anesthesia Student Handbook. The patient rights for each site are reviewed with students each year; students are advised that the rights for each clinical site are in the student handbook. Students shall sign a statement that these rights have been discussed with them.

THE PROGRAM HAS THE RIGHT:

• To expect timely and accurate information from the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs.
• To expect accurate information from applicants.
• To expect accurate information from the University and the clinical sites.
• To expect faculty to be prepared for class/clinical.
• To expect notification if an applicant who has accepted a position in the program has a change of plans that prevent he/she from enrolling.
• To remove a student from the program who has not met criteria for remaining.
• To accept feedback regarding the program, curriculum, and students as well as suggestions for improvement.
• To expect an evaluation of student performance in the classroom and the clinical area.
• To expect faculty to have a good understanding of the material that he/she is teaching.
• To expect students to complete all projects and assignments on time.
• To expect students and faculty to place patient safety first and above all else.

THE PROGRAM HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY:

• To provide a safe learning environment.
• To have syllabi for each didactic and clinical course with the objectives of the course or clinical experience.
• To provide feedback in a timely and professional manner regarding the program, curriculum, clinical experience and faculty.
• To improve the program based on evaluations and suggestions.
• To seek additional learning experiences and additional clinical sites in order to better the educational process.
• To respect faculty, students, and everyone who is associated with the program.
• To respond to applicants in a timely and accurate manner.
• To council faculty and students in a timely and appropriate manner.
• To abide by the standards and guidelines of the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Programs.
• To provide students with information necessary to take the National Certification Examination.
• To provide students with the courses and clinical experience necessary to take the National Certification Examination.

THE CONDUCTION AND AFFILIATING INSTITUTIONS HAVE THE RIGHT:

• To expect accurate information about all aspects of the Program.
• Where applicable, to expect orientation to the evaluation process.
• To have access to both student and faculty handbooks.
• To have access to a summary of evaluations related to them for continued growth and improvement.
• To timely information when requested.
• To have accurate and current contracts.
• To have access to all program policies in which these entities are involved.
• To uphold the Programs responsibilities as spelled out in contracts.

THE CONDUCTING AND AFFILIATING INSTITUTIONS HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY:

• To provide courses and clinical experience for students.
• To provide instructors for core courses and clinical education.
• To provide accurate information to the Program.
• To provide evaluation and suggestions to the Program for its improvement and growth.
• To provide copies of policies relative to the Program and students.
• To provide a safe learning environment.
• To put patient safety above all else.

THE RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ACCREDITING AGENCY:

As long as the University of North Carolina Greensboro DNP Program, Nurse Anesthesia Concentration (the Program), is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), the COA has the right to receive a self-study in a timely fashion prior to an accreditation visit, make an accreditation visit, to receive an annual report on or before the due date, to receive fees and expenses owed by the Program in a timely fashion, receive any requested information in a timely fashion, and have its visitors and staff treated with courtesy and respect. The COA has the right to expect the Program to comply with its standards and guidelines and its policies and procedures. It also has the right to expect the Program to attend workshops or other educational sessions required by the COA of the Program. The COA also has the right to make unannounced visits when deemed necessary.

The COA has the responsibility to inform the Program of changes in the standards and guidelines and its policies and procedures. It has the responsibility to make an honest and professional accreditation visit and to share with the Program the results of that visit. The COA has the responsibility to respond to requests and questions from the Program in a timely fashion.

Will I be allowed to work as a nurse while I am attending your school?
The time committed to study, class, and clinical practice may consume over 60 hours per week. The University encourages students to plan finances appropriately, before entering the program, so they will not have to work while enrolled in the program. Students enrolled in the DNP Nurse Anesthesia Program are discouraged from working as an RN. Enrolled students shall not work as a nurse anesthetist while in the program.

What does the DNP NA Program accept as “critical care experience”?
Critical care experience needed in order to be considered a successful applicant would be full-time employment in an acute critical care unit such as CVICU, Neuro ICU, Surgical ICU or Medical ICU. Emergency Room, PACU, or Operating Room experience is not considered to be critical care experience. RN’s working in these areas are not involved in the management and treatment of hemodynamic changes on a routine basis. Pediatric ICU and Neonatal ICU experience is accepted as long as the applicant also has experience in adult critical care. In addition, the applicant should be able to calculate drug dosages and vasoactive drips without the use of an IV pump or hemodynamic monitor.

I have a Bachelor’s degree in an area other than nursing. Can I apply for admission to the DNP NA Program?
No, all applicants must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a program accredited by the National League for Nursing (NLNAC) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Post-Masters Certificate applicants must hold an MSN degree from an accredited program.

Is my deposit refundable once I have been accepted into the program?
No, deposits paid to the University are nonrefundable. A $3000.00 deposit is required upon acceptance into the program and is applied towards the fees payable to UNCG .

When do students begin clinical rotations and how long do they last?
First-year students begin clinical rotation beginning in January during the second semester. The clinical schedules will be prepared in 4-8 week blocks depending on the level of the student in the program. First-year students will have the first three rotations in 8-week blocks.

Can I only be assigned to a clinical rotation located near my home?
The UNCG DNP NA program has numerous clinical sites throughout North Carolina. Our students only rotate through official sites of the program and could conceivably rotate through all clinical sites upon completion of the program. It is not permissible to place a student in one clinical site near their respective home.

Can I take UNCG DNP NA core courses before being accepted into the program?
It is recommended that UNCG core courses be completed prior to enrolling in the program, but it is not mandatory. Core courses are now offered online and available through the Non-Degree Seeking program with UNCG Graduate School. More information on that program can be seen on the Graduate School’s website at: https://beta-nursing.uncg.edu/academics/graduate/non-degree_seeking/

Does the UNCG DNP NA program have a patient simulator?
Yes, students can experience simulator scenarios in both the first and second semester. The program also has an inventory of airway, spines and CVP practice mannequins. In addition, the school offers both a difficult airway workshop and a spinal workshop as part of the curriculum.

What is the passing rate on the Certifying Exam?
UNCG DNP NA Program exceeds the required passing rate on the Certifying Exam acceptable to the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Education Programs. DNP NA Program’s current first-time test takers passing rate is 91% which exceeds the COA threshold of 80%. All recent DNP NA Program graduates have passed the Certification Exam and are employed.