Requirements

LICENSURE: 
Current unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse in one of the fifty states and be eligible to receive a Connecticut RN license. Note: You must obtain a Connecticut RN license prior to matriculation.  

DEGREES:  
One of the following degrees is required: 

• Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing 
• Baccalaureate Degree in another science that the Admissions Committee deems appropriate. 

PREREQUISITE COURSES:  
The following prerequisite science courses require a science GPA of 3.3 or greater and must have been taken within the last 8 years:  

• Human anatomy and physiology (two 4-credit courses) 
• Inorganic or general chemistry (one 4-credit course) 
• Organic chemistry or biochemistry (one 4-credit course)
• Pharmacology 
• Biostatistics or Statistics (requires a B or better)  

*Please contact the IAA NAPH Program Director with individual concerns.  

GPA: 
A cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required for admission to the Integrated Anesthesia Associates’ Nurse    Anesthesia Program of Hartford (IAA NAPH) and CCSU Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) Program. 

CRITICAL CARE NURSING EXPERIENCE: 
IAA NAPH requires a minimum of 18 months of current critical care nursing experience, excluding the orientation period, working full-time with demonstrated proficiency in managing critically ill patients, mechanical ventilation, invasive hemodynamic monitoring, vasoactive IV infusions, and aggressive fluid management. 

Critical care is defined as regular hands-on care of patients with life-threatening pathophysiology, invasive lines, e.g. pulmonary artery catheters and arterial lines, ventilators, continuous ECG monitoring and interpretation, vasoactive infusions in an intensive care unit. Preferred areas of critical care experience include Surgical/Trauma ICU, Cardiothoracic ICU, Neurosurgical/Neuro Trauma ICU, Pediatric ICU, or Medical ICU. The Emergency Department, Neonatal ICU, and the PACU are not considered critical care areas. 

CERTIFICATONS:  
Current certifications from the American Heart Association in Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and CCRN (exam score breakdown must be submitted with the application).

REFERENCES: 
Three professional references, including a current ICU supervisor, ICU nurse educator or preceptor, and a peer (nurse, advanced practice provider, or physician) who can discuss your critical care experiences. 
 

PROFESSIONAL GOAL STATEMENT:  
A personal statement or essay of your professional goals and reasons for pursuing the DNAP degree (300-word maximum). 
 

SHADOW DAY: 
A minimum of one full shadow day with a CRNA preferred.  
 

INTERVIEW:
A personal interview with the Admissions Committee.  Note: Interviews are granted to qualified applicants who meet the prerequisites by the application deadline. 
 

APPLICATION:  
Application Fee: $150.00 – check made payable to Integrated Anesthesia Associates