About the Program

       The Anesthesiology Nursing Program is a clinical specialty within the School of Nursing at Florida International University. The School of Nursing has several innovative Advanced Practice specialty areas. Anesthesiology Nursing is the latest Advanced Practice Track to be added to the MSN program. With over 38,000 students, Florida International University is a major component of the State University System of Florida and is designated as a Carnegie Research Extensive (formerly known as Level-I Research) Institution. FIU houses an extensive number of academic programs (including more than 100 at the Master's and Doctoral levels) in 284 majors and has an impressive record of research. The School of Nursing is located at the University Park Campus, in the Health and Life Science Building complex.

     The CRNA Program is a challenging and rewarding academic and clinical undertaking. The program consists of a seven (7) semester continuous program of full time graduate study. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to take the National Certification Examination to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) as well as apply for the Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) credential with a specialization as a nurse anesthetist, from the Florida Board of Nursing.

     The future of graduate education for nurse anesthetists as well as other advanced practice nurses is moving in the direction of doctoral education. While it will still be some time off in the future that a doctoral degree for nurse anesthetists is required for certification and licensure, doctoral educational programs are in the here and now. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has recently released a position statement calling for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree to be the terminal degree awarded for advanced practice nurses. To this end, the Anesthesiology Nursing Program is preparing for this transition and is in the planning and approval stages to award the DNP degree. Additional information will be posted as it becomes available throughout the planning and approval process.