Application requirements reflect the criteria for admission set forth by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs and Barry University. Candidates are selected for admission on the basis of high promise for program completion and academic success in graduate education. These include:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- A baccalaureate or graduate degree in nursing, granted by a regionally accredited college or university. Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended must be submitted directly to NursingCAS. Instructions can be found at www.nursingcas.org. Satisfactory completion of coursework in nursing, the physical sciences and humanities should be demonstrated.
Cumulative GPA of 3.20
- A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale. Deference is given to the last 60 hours of undergraduate work. Applicants with a master's degree from a regionally accredited college or university will have their graduate GPA included for admissions consideration.
Graduation from an accredited Nursing program
- Graduation from an accredited Nursing Program and a current, unrestricted license as a professional registered nurse in the United States. Out-of-state applicants must be eligible for endorsement by the Florida Board of Nursing. An unrestricted Florida license must be received prior to starting the Program and maintained throughout enrollment in the Program.
One year of critical care experience
- A minimum of one year, full-time clinical experience as a Registered Nurse in a critical care setting within the last 3 years. Clinical experience should be direct hands-on patient care. The "critical care setting" is not limited to a specific work area. However, the complexity of the patient population's health problems should routinely require non-invasive and invasive monitoring, continuous pharmacologic infusions and mechanical ventilation. The CCRN credential serves as evidence of required knowledge and experience, and is required for admission.
Certifications/Licenses
- Current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS); Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and; Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) from an American Heart Association approved provider. The CCRN credential serves as evidence of required knowledge and experience, and is required for admission.
GRE Scores
- Official satisfactory scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) taken within five years of application. GRE scores are evaluated in the context of the overall application package submitted by the applicant. Official scores must be sent directly to NursingCAS, code 4477.
Two reference letters
- Two references from health care professionals who are knowledgeable of the applicant's academic potential and clinical aptitude.
Personal statement essay
Chemistry lecture and lab
- Successful completion (grade B or better) of one college chemistry course with a laboratory component. The course (not the laboratory component) must have been taken within five years of beginning the Program (organic chemistry or bio-chemistry preferred). Introduction to Chemistry and Survey to Chemistry courses are not accepted.
One additional math or science course
- In addition, one previous additional science/mathematics course with a grade B or better is also required (examples include: anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, physics, genetics, statistics, algebra). This course can be older than five years.
Personal interview
- Attendance at a personal interview at the invitation of the Program's Admission Committee. This interview is required for admission. Interviews are typically held at the South Florida campus in Hollywood, FL.
TOEFL/IELTS for English proficiency
- Applicants who do not give evidence of being native English speakers, or who have not graduated from an institution where English is the primary language of instruction are required to submit a minimum score 550 on the written version of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The TOEFL may be waived for applicants with a minimum of 24 college level academic units earned from an institution in which English is the basis of instruction and classroom interaction.
Other requirements
- Applicants may be required to fulfill specific prerequisites or other conditions of admission prior to an admission decision.
Admission is on a competitive basis for a limited number of positions. As a result, applicants may meet minimum admission requirements, but may not be selected for a personal interview or admission.
