The University of Southern Mississippi Nurse Anesthesia Program is a full-time, 36-month Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) track within the College of Nursing and Health Professions that typically enrolls about 25 students per cohort, offering a highly selective and personalized educational experience. As the only accredited nurse anesthesia program in Mississippi, it combines rigorous didactic coursework with sustained clinical immersion across more than 21 clinical sites throughout the state, including large hospitals, trauma centers, outpatient surgery centers, and VA facilities. The program has a small student-to-faculty ratio and emphasizes evidence-based practice, simulation training, and progressive clinical responsibility, with recent cohorts achieving a 100 % first-time pass rate on the National Certification Examination.

Degree Type

DNP

Program Length

36 months, full time

Credit Hours

117 semester hours

Starting Month

August

Application Deadline

June 30

Program Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Nursing is required.

Current unencumbered license to practice nursing in any state with eligibility for licensure in Mississippi.

Minimum of 1 year (2 years preferred), full-time experience as a registered nurse in a critical care setting. The University of Southern Mississippi applicants must have experience in continuous ECG Monitoring, invasive monitoring, vasoactive infusion management, and ventilator management. Acceptable critical care experience includes: ICU (Intensive Care Unit), CVICU (Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit), SICU (Surgical Intensive Care), Neurosurgical ICU, MICU (Medical Intensive Care Unit) , Level III Pediatric ICU, or Level III Neonatal ICU. Not acceptable: Coronary ICU, Post Anesthesia ICU, Surgery, Step-down Units, or Emergency Room.

GPA of 3.0 and above.

GRE scores of 300 or higher (a combination of verbal and quantitative scores on the 130-170 score scale). A score of 1000 or higher (a combination of verbal and quantitative scores on the 200-800 score scale). A writing score of 4.0 or higher. Must be taken within the last 5 years.

Required Certifications: PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) and ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support).

Approved graduate level statistics, completed with a B or better, within the last 5 years. Biostatistics is not required, but preferred.

It is highly recommended to shadow a CRNA.

Contact

ph: (601) 266-5500
email: [email protected]
web: www.usm.edu