FAQs
When is your deadline for applications? Can I be interviewed if I still need to take a class?
Interviews for the class enrolling in August will be held during the first full week of January each year. The deadline for applications and all supporting materials is the preceding November 1st.
NOTE: The Program welcomes applications or inquiries twelve months a year. The January series of interviews are held each year.
What degree plans does the TCU School of Nurse Anesthesia (SNA) offer?
The SNA currently offers two degree plans; one leads to the Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia (MSNA); the other, Doctor of Nursing Practice-Anesthesia (DNP-A). The MSNA tract is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs and its graduates are eligible to sit for the national certifying examination administered by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists (CCNA). The DNP-A is pending accreditation by the COA.
The second degree track leading to the DNP degree is for post baccalaureate registered nurses. This track is an innovative, solutions focused program designed to prepare nurse anesthesia students to lead efforts in solving complex health care issues and developing new health care opportunities, specifically in the context of nurse anesthesia practice. The program builds on TCU's mission: “Learning to Change the World” and charges DNP students with “Making a Difference in Health Care”. This solution focused program incorporates the essentials established by the American Academy of Colleges of Nurses (AACN) and the standards for specialty education in nurse anesthesia established by the COA.
The DNP for post baccalaureate registered nurses will provide the terminal academic preparation for nurse anesthesia practice with advanced, specialized knowledge and skills to meet the health needs of diverse populations. The purpose of this track is to prepare nurse anesthetists who are equipped to assume clinical leadership positions in a variety of health care, business, government, and educational organizations.
Why should I choose a DNP program versus a DNAP program?
Titles and degrees in nursing (RN, LVN, PCT, NA, BSN, ADN, MSN, MHS, MSNA, etc.) are very confusing to the public. Dr. Mary Margaret Mooney said, “Consistent degree titling will help to reduce confusion among health care consumers about the qualifications of doctorally-prepared nursing clinicians.” (Retrieved November 11, 2008, from http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Media/NewsReleases/2005/CCNEDNP.htm ) The DNP title is now the accepted title for the terminal practice degree in nursing. It is and will continue to be the title the public understands. A CRNA with a DNP would have the credential to teach in all nurse anesthesia programs. The DNAP credential would limit teaching opportunities to nurse anesthesia programs outside of nursing. The DNP prepared clinician will have the flexibility of functioning not only in the clinical setting, but also in professional research and academia.
What is an option for you?
As a pilot project the SNA is offering a “jump start” towards the DNP degree to 30 new nurse anesthesia students slated to start the MSNA track August 2010. Spring semester 2009 two courses (NRAN 60113 and NRAN 81123) will be offered on-line. Two more courses will be offered on-line summer 2009 (NRAN 81113 and NRAN 81233). For 80000 level course descriptions, please see Course Descriptions
What will the DNP track cost?
The two courses taken spring and summer 2010 will cost $12,000 ($6,000 spring term and $6,000 summer term. The cost of all the other courses will be part of the packaged tuition for nurse anesthesia. For the current first year class (2009) the cost for the package is $58,800. The DNP track will increase your tuition by $12,000. If you compare this price to the price of post master DNP programs, you will find this is a bargain.
Can I work the first two semesters?
Yes, you expected to continue to work full time in your critical care unit. The on-line classes are designed for RNS who work.
What are the differences between the DNP-A track and the MSNA track?
Five additional courses are required for the DNP track as well as a more advanced project than the MSNA track requires. For DNP students the NRAN 81352 Health Care Policy and Politics course replaces the NRAN 60772 Professional Aspects course in the MSNA track. The content of these two courses is very similiar; however, the Health Policy course looks at health systems in greater depth.
Who will be selected for the DNP track?
If more than 30 accepted applicants are interested in the DNP, admission will be competitive.
What if I am not accepted into DNP track?
After graduation you may apply to the post master's DNP program at TCU or any other DNP program of your choice.
What if I start in the DNP track and wish change to the MSNA track?
You may change from the DNP track to the MSNA track at any point in the program.
Where do I get answers to my questions?
Please email your questions to k.sanders@tcu.edu.
How do I apply?
Indicate your interest in the DNP-A tract when you submit your application.
I will not have my bachelor's degree before the deadline. Can I still be accepted for an interview?
No, you must fulfill all application requirements before an interview can be granted.
What types of critical care experience are accepted? Which are preferred?
The requirement for critical care is that you have experience as a Registered Nurse in a critical care area, with emphasis placed on invasive hemodynamic monitoring, ventilatory care and pharmacologic management. The preferred areas (with the greatest preference first) are:
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SICU (Surgical Intensive Care)
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CVICU (Cardiovascular Intensive Care)
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CICU (Cardiac Intensive Care)
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MICU (Medical Intensive Care)
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PICU/NICU (Pediatric or Neonatal Intensive Care)
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Applicants have also been accepted whose experience is primarily in the Emergency Room, provided they can demonstrate familiarity with invasive monitoring, ventilators, and critical care pharmacology.
I've only been in the ICU three months, am I eligible for an interview?
The requirement is that you have a least one year of critical care experience prior to starting the program (i.e. enrolling and starting classes in August). If you will have completed a year prior to the start date you may be eligible for a personal interview. The admissions committee highly recommends two years of critical care experience.
Which bachelor's degrees do you accept besides a Bachelor of Science in Nursing?
A bachelor's degree in a natural science is accepted. Examples are Chemistry, Biology, Physics, etc. If you have another degree, your past academic background is individually considered for predictors of success in our School. Predictors include a strong science background and good performance history.
How recent do my undergraduate science courses have to be?
We look at grades in Chemistry, Organic chemistry (or Biochemistry), Biology, Microbiology, Mathematics, and Anatomy and Physiology. If you have less than a 3.0 in these courses you may repeat your sciences to achieve a better grade. We understand that many times undergraduate grades do not necessarily reflect current ability and maturity.
What is the minimum score required for the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)?
We do not have a minimum score on GRE. Ideally, our applicants would have a qualitative and quantitative score of 1100 or greater, and a writing score of 4 or greater. The GRE is one of many criteria that we use to evaluate eligibility for admission into the Nurse Anesthesia program. The personal interview, grades, recommendations and experience are all evaluated individually. GREs must be taken within the last 5 years. The Analytical Writing test of the GRE is required.
Are there any prerequisite courses that I must take prior to admission?
There are no prerequisite graduate courses.
How many students are accepted each year?
The number accepted each year depends upon the number of qualified applicants interviewed and the number of clinical slots available. This number varies from year to year. Typically 55 to 65 students per year are accepted.
Is there a substitution for the CCRN?
The CCRN is a requirement and cannot be substituted by CEN, RN-C, etc.
How do I spend time with a CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist) observing cases?
It is highly recommended that you contact a CRNA in your facility regarding observation of an anesthesia provider. Some facilities are reticent to allowing outside individuals observing due to HIPAA regulations; however, it is typically easier to observe in the facility where you are an employee than another facility.
I was not accepted and wish to reapply. What is the process?
Contact the Nurse Anesthesia office and ask to have your file re-activated for the next class. Before November 1 you need to have your current supervisor send us a new reference. You also need to let us know ways you have strengthened your application.
