What is the easiest way to become a nurse anesthetist?

We do not know, nor are we looking for the person who wants to do things the easiest way.  The practice of anesthesia is challenging and requires knowledge, skill and a great deal of hard work.  It is not easy.

Do I have to be a nurse to be in your program?  I am in another specialty such as veterinary medicine or respiratory therapy or dentistry or am a graduate of a medical school in another country and have not been able to obtain a medical license in the US.

You must be a registered nurse eligible for licensure in the State of Florida in order to be accepted to the program.  This is a requirement both of the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs and the Florida State Board of Nursing.  It is impossible for FGCU to make an exception to this requirement.

I do not have a bachelor's degree in nursing.  What might be an acceptable bachelor's degree?

Biology or biochemistry might be acceptable.  Education, psychology, business are generally not.  Transcripts will be reviewed by the Admission Committee after application.  It will depend on the specific coursework taken by the applicant.

Can I have my transcripts reviewed before applying to see if what I have is enough?

No.  Understand that the vast majority of applicants and students will have BSNs.  This is meant for the exceptional student, not as a way around getting a BSN and getting an easier degree.  One of the faculty members would be happy to talk to any prospective applicant about the program and requirements, however specific decisions will be made only by the Admission Committee.

I have a Master's degree already.  Do I need to take GREs?

No, if your degree is from an accredited university.  The Admission Committee, however, will look very closely at the academic record both for your undergraduate and graduate work.

What chemistry courses should I take?  Are any two acceptable?

We cannot specify exactly what courses should be taken at every university in the US or elsewhere.  Understand that we prefer to see as much chemistry as possible and prefer chemistry courses for science majors rather than introductory courses or chemistry for non-science majors.  Science grades are looked at very closely.  At least one of the chemistry courses must have a laboratory component.

I went to school 10-20 years ago.  Are my chemistry courses from that time acceptable?

Yes, although you may want to consider taking another course no matter which nurse anesthesia program you apply to and matriculate at.  The chemistry offered with nurse anesthesia programs is intense and assumes that the students will hit the ground running.

I was arrested when I was 18.  Will this prevent me from getting accepted into the program?

All criminal records will be reviewed prior to admission and all admissions are provisional on completion of criminal background checks.  Judicial Affairs will review all records for an initial determination.  Failure to disclose the situation on your application will be grounds for immediate dismissal.  Minor, non-violent offenses which have not effected your RN license will not necessarily be a problem.  However, the University and the MSN Nurse Anesthesia Program will make the final determination.

I had a great GPA and a good quantitative score on my GRE.  I have trouble getting a good score, however, on the verbal section.  Will that prevent my acceptance?

It will be considered by the Admission Committee.  We suggest review courses and retaking the GRE, however the committee will review the entire application.

I am an operating room nurse.  Is that acceptable nursing experience?

Generally not.  All experience will be reviewed, but generally experience in an intensive care unit is preferred.

What about a step-down unit?

The higher acuity level of the patients, the better.

What about the ER, OB, PACU?

Generally some ICU experience is preferred.  Much will depend on the specific unit and hospital.  A PACU where fresh post operative heart patients are kept for the night will be considered differently from the PACU in an outpatient surgical center.

Some programs will not consider neonatal or pediatric ICU experience. Will FGCU?

Absolutely, if the unit is a high acuity unit, not a step down unit.

I had several years of experience in the ICU as a respiratory therapist, or ER experience as a paramedic or some health care professional other than nursing.  Will that fulfill the requirement for acute care nursing experience?

No.  All of your life and professional experiences will be considered.  But experience as a registered nurse is essential.  The minimum of one year will not be waived.

I had several years of experience in the ICU as a registered nurse before I earned my BSN.  Does this experience count as acute care nursing experience?

Yes.

Can I work as a nurse during the program?

Generally not.  It is not forbidden but your schedule will require that you are occupied some 60+ hours a week.  Anesthesia programs, like professional programs for medicine, veterinary medicine and dentistry, are full-time programs.  Students who attempt to work uniformly have difficulty meeting the programs' standards.  There are strict requirements preventing students from working a schedule that might compromise patient safety during the clinical experience.  For example, working after 2100 hours the evening before clinical is forbidden and violation of the policy is grounds for dismissal.

Can I take the program part-time?

No.  There is no part-time option for the nurse anesthesia program.

Will we follow the University calendar while in the program?

For the first two terms, while students are in the classroom 4 days a week and in the operating room 1 day a week, yes.  For the final 5 terms of the program, no.  Students will be in the operating room 4 days a week and in the classroom one day a week.  Classroom classes will follow the FGCU calendar, but students will be given a number of personal leave days and will utilize them just as a practicing CRNA will.

Will I always get out at 3 pm?

No.  The student may be required to stay because it is better either for patient care or for the student's clinical education.  Also there will be call schedules when the student may be scheduled to work in the evening or night.

What about weekends and holidays?

It is possible, although currently there is little weekend or holiday clinical time.

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Accreditation

Florida Gulf Coast University is accredited by the

Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate, baccalaureate, and master's degrees.

1866 Southern Lane

Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097

Telephone number 404-679-4501

Florida Gulf Coast University School of Nursing baccalaureate nursing program
is fully accredited through the
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530
Washington, DC 20036-1120
(202-887-6791)
for initial program accreditation.

Florida Gulf Coast University School of Nursing baccalaureate nursing program
is fully approved by the
Florida Board of Nursing
4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin # C02
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3257
(850) 488-0595
Program approval extends from 2001-2006

Florida Gulf Coast University MSN Nurse Anesthesia Program
is accredited by the
Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA)
222 South Prospect Avenue

Park Ridge, IL.  60068

(847) 655-1160

The program's next accreditation review by the COA  is scheduled for May 2009