St. John Fisher University’s Nurse Anesthesia program within the Wegmans School of Nursing is a newly accredited Doctor of Nursing Practice pathway that launched its first cohort in early 2025, combining advanced anesthesia science with comprehensive clinical training to prepare nurses for practice as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists. The program includes an integrated dual track with Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner preparation and requires applicants to hold a BSN, an active RN license, and relevant clinical experience.

Degree Type

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) — Nurse Anesthesia & Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)

The dual-degree Nurse Anesthesia and Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at St. John Fisher University prepares registered nurses to provide safe, compassionate, and high-quality anesthesia and acute care. This 36-month, full-time program integrates rigorous didactic instruction, high-fidelity simulation, and extensive clinical practice. Graduates are prepared for dual certification as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (AGACNPs), emerging as highly versatile and skilled leaders in today’s evolving healthcare environment.

Program Length

• Duration: 36 months, full-time.

Credit Hours

• Total Credit Hours: 103 credits.

Starting Month

Spring Semester

A new cohort of 12 students is admitted each spring semester.

Application Deadlines

Application Period: February 1 – April 1 annually. Applicants will be notified by April 15 if selected for an interview. Interviews are conducted on Tuesdays and Fridays in June and last approximately 90 minutes.

Program Requirements

• Educational Background:
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited college or university.
  • Undergraduate coursework in Health Assessment, Research, and Statistics, each completed with a grade of B or higher.
• Licensure:
  • Current, unencumbered New York State RN license.
  • Applicants with out-of-state RN licenses must show proof of pending New York licensure at the time of application. Admission is conditional until licensure is obtained.
• Experience:
  • Minimum of one year of full-time critical care nursing experience in an accepted ICU setting.
  • Accepted adult ICUs include CCU/CVICU, MICU, Neuro ICU, SICU, and Trauma ICU.
  • PICU is the only pediatric ICU experience accepted.
  • NICU, ER, OR, and PACU experience are not accepted.
  • Adult ICU experience outside the U.S. is accepted only if obtained in a U.S. military hospital.
• Academic Performance:
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (preferred GPA 3.3 or higher).
• Certifications:
  • Current certifications in Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) are required at the time of application.

Additional Program Features

• Accreditation: Accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).
• Clinical Experience: Students complete a minimum of 2,600 clinical hours, including 600 hours in the AGACNP role, across diverse healthcare settings.
• Simulation & Skills Labs: Training occurs in the Glover-Crask Simulation Center and high-fidelity skills labs, providing low- and high-fidelity simulation experiences that mirror real-world scenarios.
• Curriculum Highlights:
  • Advanced airway, spinal, and epidural management.
  • Pharmacology and physiology of anesthesia practice.
  • Regional anesthesia and pain management.
  • Anesthesia crisis resource management.
  • Integrated care for cardiovascular, neurosurgical, obstetric, and emergency anesthesia cases.
• Research & Leadership: Emphasis on evidence-based practice, professional development, and leadership within both anesthesia and acute care nursing domains.
• Program Outcomes:
  • Eligibility to sit for the National Certification Exam (NCE) through the NBCRNA.
  • Eligibility to sit for AGACNP certification exams through the ANCC or AACN.
  • Preparation to deliver safe, evidence-based anesthesia and acute care in any clinical setting.
  • Development of leadership, compassion, and professional excellence in advanced practice nursing.

Contact

St. John Fisher University — Wegmans School of Nursing

Address: 3690 East Avenue,
Rochester, NY 14618, USA

Phone: (585) 385-8000

Email: Not specified