Notice: The Nurse Anesthesia Program has transitioned to a BSN to DNP Entry-level Nurse Anesthesia Program. We no longer admit students to the Master of Nursing, Nurse Anesthesia Program. |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many students do you admit each year?
The Nurse Anesthesia Program admits approximately 45 students per class. Each class begins in May, at the LSU Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC) in New Orleans.
The Nurse Anesthesia Program was approved by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) to transition the current Masters level nurse anesthesia program to a BSN to DNP Entry-level Nurse Anesthesia Program. If accepted into the BSN to DNP Nurse Anesthesia Program, students will enroll in May and the program will be 36 months long.
Are all applicants granted interviews?
The number of applicants interviewed is determined by the number of qualified applicants. Due to the competitive nature of the admission process, applicants should understand that meeting the minimum standards does not guarantee admission in to the program. Also, applicants will be screened and the most qualified individuals will be invited for an interview.
How long after the application deadline does the interview process begin?
The interview process begins immediately after the application deadline September 1.
Is there a profile of typical successful applicants?
There is no typical profile of a successful applicant. Grade point averages range from 3.0 to 4.0. Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores of 300 (or higher) when combining the verbal and quantitative scores on the 130-170 score scale are recommended. Clinical experience ranges from 1 year to more than 20. A minimum of one year of critical care experience at the time of the interview is required, and the more critical care experience the better. Common characteristics of successful applicants include a clear understanding of the commitments required to complete a graduate program in nurse anesthesia, the ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, the ability to function as both a team member and leader, the ability to use critical thinking skills and to function in stressful situations, and enthusiasm for the specialty practice of nurse anesthesia.
What if I am not accepted into the Nurse Anesthesia Program?
You must reapply in order to be considered for the next admission cycle.
Do you require any other placement examinations besides the GRE?
Applicants whose first language is not English must achieve a minimum score of 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
Which graduate or undergraduate courses might be helpful to me as a nurse anesthesia student?
Courses in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, physics, organic chemistry, and biochemistry are suggested, but not required.
Can out of state tuition be waived if I am not a Louisiana resident?
No. There is no waiver of out of state tuition at LSUHSC for the Nurse Anesthesia specialization.
If I am not a Louisiana resident, do I have to have a Louisiana nursing license before applying to the program?
An unrestricted Louisiana license to practice as a registered nurse is one of the admission criteria, and this license must be maintained in good standing for the entire time a student is enrolled in the nurse anesthesia program. A Louisiana license must be active prior to enrollment, but not necessarily at the time of application.
Do I have to have any additional certifications or licenses?
You must have current ACLS, BLS and PALS at the time of the program interview, and you will be asked to obtain a Mississippi registered nursing license during the first semester of classes, since several program clinical sites are located in Mississippi.
Do I have to obtain my own liability insurance for clinical rotations?
Liability insurance with specific coverage for nurse anesthesia students must be purchased before beginning the clinical practicum. Information about policy options available through AANA Insurance Services will be provided after enrollment.
Is financial assistance available? What is the tuition for the program?
Financial aid, including grants, loans, scholarships, and part-time employment is handled through the Office of Student Financial Aid. Students interested in receiving financial aid should contact this Office well in advance of their expected enrollment. Each student's need for aid will be evaluated on information supplied and in accordance with Financial Aid Policy of the LSU Health Sciences Center. Representatives of the Financial Aid Office are available for consultation with all candidates for admission and students.
Although the primary responsibility for financing an education rests with the student and the student's immediate family, it is recognized that many students require additional assistance in order to meet their educational costs. Awards from aid programs funded by the Federal or State government are administered according to laws and guidelines governing those programs. Priority is given to students with the greatest documented need whose completed applications are received by the appropriate deadline.
LSUHSC Office of Financial Aid may be contacted at:
Office of Student Financial Aid
LSU Health Sciences Center
433 Bolivar Street, Room 215
New Orleans, LA 70112-2223
Telephone: 504-568-4820
FAX: 504-599-1390
E-Mail: finaid@lsuhsc.edu
The current tuition for the program can be found at:
http://www.lsuhsc.edu/tuition/
What additional expenses will I incur during the program?
Clinical assignments will involve traveling throughout the state and southeast region. Licensure, travel, and housing expenses for clinical assignments are the responsibility of the student.
| Additional expenditures include: | |
| • Computer Fee (update) - one time fee first year | $1,788.69 |
| • AANA membership fee (new additional expenditure) - a one-time fee first year | $200.00 |
| • Mississippi/Tennessee Compact licensure (new additional expenditure) - Fee will need to be paid twice during program (first and senior year) | $100.00 |
| • Travel and Housing - average annual cost | $3,530.00 ($10,590.00 total) |
| • NBCRNA Self Evaluation Examination | $125.00 |
| • NBCRNA National Certification Examination | $750.00 |
Must I have an undergraduate degree in nursing in order to apply for the program?
Yes, you must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a regionally accredited college or university.
What is the average nursing experience, in years, for accepted applicants?
Applicants are required to have a minimum of one year of critical care experience as a registered nurse at the time of the program interview. Most individuals have at least 2-3 years of experience.
Which type of clinical experience is preferred?
Applicants are required to have a minimum of 1 year critical care experience at the time of the program interview. We are looking for practice in clinical environments that require dynamic decision making while caring for patients with continuous ECG monitoring, invasive lines (such as pulmonary artery, central venous, and arterial catheters), vasoactive infusions, and ventilator support, because we expect comfort with these techniques and therapeutic modalities. Most applicants obtain these experiences in surgical, cardiothoracic, trauma, pediatric, or medical intensive care units. Emergency Department experience from a Level One Trauma Center is also accepted.
Does it matter if all my clinical experience is with neonatal or pediatric patients?
The majority of students enter the program with adult critical care nursing experience; however, this is not mandatory. Students having only pediatric critical care experience have easily adjusted to providing care for adult patients and have successfully completed the program.
Is your program offered by distance learning?
Some courses have distance components. Distance formats include Wimba cross platform virtual classroom technology, or Moodle. The program is predominantly classroom based and class attendance in the New Orleans campus is required intermittently throughout the 36 month program. Students are required to be on campus for all nurse anesthesia program exams.
Can I attend your program on a part time basis?
No. The Nurse Anesthesia Program admits only full time students.
Is housing available for graduate students?
LSUHSC has limited student housing space. To inquire about student housing options, students may contact the Residence Hall Office.
The Residence Hall Office is located on the second floor of the Perdido Dormitory, with office hours 8 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. The mailing address is 1900 Perdido Street, New Orleans, LA 70112. If you have a question or would like more information, visit:
http://www.lsuhsc.edu/administration/ae/reshall.aspx
http://www.lsuhsc.edu/administration/ae/housingapp.aspx
How many hours per work can I work while enrolled in the program?
Outside employment is strongly discouraged because of the intense nature of the program.
You have many clinical sites. Can I request a permanent site?
Clinical assignments are based on the need to provide each student with a well rounded clinical experience, and students rotate to many clinical sites in order to accomplish this goal. Efforts are made to place students within a geographic location of choice.
Is the program accredited and by whom?
The LSUHSC Nurse Anesthesia Program, School of Nursing is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs. (COA) During the last COA accreditation visit in 2003, the program was awarded a 10 year accreditation. The School of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, (CCNE) and the entire Health Sciences Center is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
What kind of computer access is required for the nurse anesthesia program?
Students will be required to purchase, at their own cost, an LSUHSC - School of Nursing issued laptop. This laptop will contain required program software so that students may obtain access to the internet during outside rotations.
Do you require a student portfolio?
Students in the Nurse Anesthesia Program are required to complete a portfolio chronicling experiences accrued during the entire 36 months of the program. The portfolio showcases each student’s professional achievements. Minimally, the portfolio documents that the minimum requirements for graduation from a nurse anesthesia program have been met. Ideally, the portfolio creatively establishes unique attributes which distinguish each student from all others in the program.
Do you require a project or thesis?
The capstone project should result in a significant contribution to your profession or other community of interest. Examples of capstone projects include a scholarly paper submitted for publication, a teaching project, original research, participation on a research team, etc. The project is not necessarily a solitary activity. Students may work with faculty, clinical preceptors, or other students from the Nurse Anesthesia Program.
Are students required to take call?
Call experiences include all “off” shifts, including 3p-11p, 11p-7a, and weekends. When a student is “on call” there must be a qualified nurse anesthetist or anesthesiologist immediately available to supervise the student.
Is a final program examination required?
Yes. A final, comprehensive program examination is administered in the last practicum course; NURS 7426.This test is given by computer and is designed to assist students with preparation for the computer adaptive national certification examination administered by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthetists (CCNA).
Does the program have a human patient simulator?
The LSUHSC Nurse Anesthesia program has three human patient simulators. The School of Nursing’s human patient simulation lab has an adult and pediatric simulator which can both be anesthetized, and an emergency care simulator which can be a intubated, resuscitated, and given emergency room care to include pharmaceuticals. The simulation lab also contains fully operational anesthesia machines, and a fiberoptic bronchoscopy simulator.
Students use the simulation lab to practice basic and advanced anesthetic techniques, and to study anesthesia critical incident management.