What skills do certified registered nurse anesthetists have?
Certified registered nurse anesthetists administer anesthesia for all types of surgical, obstetrical, pain management, and trauma stabilization procedures. Certified registered nurse anesthetists stay with their patients for the entire procedure, constantly monitoring the patient and individually modifying the anesthetic to ensure maximum safety and comfort. Specific procedures include, but are not limited to, oral and nasal airway management, endotracheal intubation, laryngeal mask airway placement and management, anesthesia machine operation, ventilator management, spinal and epidural placement and management, and multiple nerve blocks.
Who can serve as a reference?
Applicants must submit two professional references, one of which must be provided by the immediate supervisor responsible for the applicant’s performance evaluations. Other professional references can be obtained from colleagues, physicians or clinical educators. References are submitted electronically through the UAMS College of Nursing application.
What are the admission requirements?
See the Nurse Anesthesia Program Admission Requirements page.
Do I need experience in an intensive care unit or would experience in other areas qualify?
Admitted students must have worked in a critical care setting for at least one full-time year (or its part-time equivalent) prior to admission. Experience in areas other than an intensive care unit may be acceptable for admission if the applicant can demonstrate competence in the areas outlined in the definition of critical care experience as per COA Standards (see admission criteria). Operating room and ICU step-down unit experiences do not fulfill this requirement.
How many applicants do you accept each year?
We will accept 16 students in our first cohort, with a start date of fall 2020. In subsequent years, we will increase our enrollment to reach a maximum of 20 students per cohort.
When will I be notified of an interview?
Applicants selected for interviews will be contacted by phone or email. Notifications will be sent after the application cycle closes and faculty reviews all completed applications.
Are all applicants granted an interview?
Meeting the minimum criteria for admission does not guarantee that an applicant will be invited for an interview. The admissions committee reviews all completed applications after the deadline to determine which candidates will be selected to interview.
Do you offer any course-work only or pre-requisite courses?
No.
Can I take courses from the curriculum before being accepted into the program?
No. Students cannot take courses that count toward degree requirements prior to being accepted into the program.
I live out of state; what do I need to do to pay resident tuition?
If you move to Arkansas for the sole purpose of being a student, you will pay non-resident tuition. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Registrar’s Office can assist you in determining what you would need to do to be eligible for resident tuition. Please visit the UAMS Registrar’s Office for information regarding residency as well as contact information.
Is the GRE required?
No, the GRE is not required for enrollment in our DNP Nurse Anesthesia program.
Is your DNP program online?
Many of our DNP courses are offered online; however, coursework in the anesthesia curriculum is face-to-face, where on-site attendance is required. In the first year, classes are scheduled so that students are on campus more frequently. However, once clinical practicums begin, classes are primarily scheduled once per week. Clinical practicums will be arranged by the College of Nursing with consideration of where students live. Efforts will be made to minimize long distances; however, the goal is to provide students with comprehensive clinical experiences and this may require regular travel on the part of the student.
How long is the program?
The DNP Nurse Anesthesia program is 36 months (9 semesters) long.
What should be included in the professional statement?
Applicants are expected to submit a concise statement (no more than 250 words) addressing why you are pursuing a Doctor in Nursing Practice degree in the UAMS Nurse Anesthesia program, and what motivated you to seek Nurse Anesthesia as a specialty. Include future plans and contributions to promote the nurse anesthesia profession.
What can I expect during the interview process?
During the interview process, you will interact primarily with our faculty members. The interview will be in a panel format with Nurse Anesthesia specialty faculty members and/or clinical site coordinators.
Can I work while enrolled in this program?
Working is not recommended during enrollment and must be disclosed per UAMS policy. The nurse anesthesia program is a rigorous and demanding 3-year full-time program. Students will be enrolled in 11-15 graduate credits per semester during the first year. The clinical education phase is full-time, requiring 40-50 hours per week in addition to attending weekly classes.
How can I get additional information?
You can get additional information about the admission requirements by contacting the College of Nursing Student Services Office (email conadmissions@uams.edu or call 501-686-5224). For more information about the roles and responsibilities of nurse anesthetists, visit the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists and the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists.