Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) - Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), DNP

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the CCRN required?

Certification as an Adult or Pediatric Critical Care Nurse (CCRN) is a measure of competency attainment and validates your knowledge of nursing care of acutely/critically ill patients.

Do I need Intensive Care Unit Experience or would experience in other area qualify?

Although a minimum of 1 year of full-time critical care experience is a national requirement for admission to any Nurse Anesthesia program, Hofstra-Northwell requires a minimum of 2 years ICU experience. To be a competitive candidate, applicants generally have 3-4 years of ICU experience. An applicant’s critical care experience must be completed at the time of applying for the nurse anesthesia program. Experience in other areas other than intensive care units may be acceptable for admission if the applicant can demonstrate competence on a routine basis one or more of the following: Invasive Hemodynamic Monitors (PA, CVP, and arterial catheters), Cardiac Assist Devices, Mechanical Ventilation, and Vasoactive Infusions. Operating room, ICU step-down unit, Emergency Room, and Neonatal ICU do not fulfill the critical care requirement.

When will I be notified of an interview?

Applicants selected for interviews will be contacted by phone or email.

Do you offer preparatory courses for the Nurse Anesthesia Program?

Not at this time.

Can I take courses from the curriculum before being accepted into the program?

No. Student cannot take courses that count toward degree requirements prior to being accepted into the program.

Is it possible to work during the program?

No, working is not possible during the program due to the rigorous, demanding academic coursework coupled with the intensive clinical schedule

Where are the clinical placement sites located?

Students will be rotated to various clinical sites located over Long Island, Staten Island, Manhattan, and Westchester for exposure to a variety of surgical specialty procedures. Students will have a variation of clinical sites to gain exposure in working with an assortment of types of anesthetics and clinical practice settings. The following facilities will train the Hofstra-Northwell Graduate Program in Nurse Anesthesia students:

• Northwell Health- Huntington Hospital
• Northwell Health- Lenox Hill Hospital
• Northwell Health- Long Island Jewish Medical Center
• Northwell Health- Manhattan Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Hospital
• Northwell Health- Northern Westchester Hospital
• Northwell Health- Northshore University Hospital
• Northwell Health- Peconic Bay Medical Center
• Northwell Health- Plainview Hospital
• Northwell Health- Southside Hospital
• Northwell Health- Staten Island University Hospital- North
• Northwell Health- Staten Island University- South
• Northwell Health- Valley Stream Hospital

Where can graduates work after completing the program?

Once passing the National Certification Boards (NCE), graduates are eligible to practice in a variety of settings, including ambulatory surgical centers, pain clinics, physicians’ offices, traditional hospital operating rooms, and government facilities including the US military. Our students will be trained to be full service providers and will be able to practice to full extent of their licensure.

How many hours of clinical work can I expect to complete during this program?

The national minimum requirement to qualify for the National Certification Examination for Nurse Anesthetists is 2000 hours and 600 anesthetizing cases. We anticipate our students will exceed this number. Since this is a dual ACGNP/CRNA program, students will graduate with an additional 420 critical care hours allowing them to become board certified and licensed as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner as well.

How do I apply?

Application process is entirely online through the NursingCAS application, available at Hofstra.edu/gradapply.

What is the deadline?

Applications are due by February 1st for consideration for Fall entry each year through nursingcas.org.

If I have been out of school for more than 5 years, who should I ask for a third letter of recommendation?

We would recommend your third letter of recommendation be from a professional reference.

Do we accept transfer credits from other nursing or nurse anesthesia programs?

No. Due to the unique pedagogy of the Hofstra-Northwell CRNA program, entry level courses are not accepted for transfer into this innovative program.

Do I need to have a NY state nursing license to apply?

You may apply to the program if you are in the process of obtaining your NY state license, however, you must have your NY State license prior to matriculation.

What constitutes as critical care experience?

A critical care area is defined by the Council of Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Education Programs as one where, on a routine basis, the registered nurse manages one or more of the following:

• Invasive Hemodynamic Monitors (PA, CVP, and arterial catheters)
• Cardiac Assist Devices
• Mechanical Ventilation
• Vasoactive Infusions

Examples of critical care units may include but are not limited to: Surgical ICU, Medical ICU, Cardiothoracic ICU, Coronary Care Unit, and Pediatric ICU. Those who have experiences in other areas and manage patients receiving above monitoring/therapies on a routine basis may be considered for the nurse anesthesia program provided they can demonstrate competence with managing unstable patients, invasive monitoring, ventilators, and critical care pharmacology.

Please note: Critical Care experience must be obtained in a critical care area within the United States, its territories or in a US military hospital outside of the United States.

Is this a front loaded or blended program?

The blended curriculum provides the opportunity for students to begin engaging in the art and science of nurse anesthesia from their first semester in the program with clinical residencies beginning shortly thereafter. Many cutting-edge technologies, including structured high-fidelity simulation activities in the Center of Learning and Innovation (CLI) and use of the Bioskills cadaveric lab is incorporated and threaded throughout the Nurse Anesthesia Program at Hofstra University. Students will train in the Operating Room from the first semester until program completion.

Does meeting the minimal requirements guarantee admission into the program?

Admission is limited and very competitive. The number of applicants surpasses the number of admission seats. The applicant is responsible for compiling and submitting the complete set of materials. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. We consider applicants for the Nurse Anesthesia Program based on academic and professional qualifications, with attention given to the values of Hofstra-Northwell School of Nursing. Applicants must meet Hofstra University Admission and English Proficiency requirements, as well as requirements for admission to the program. .Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Acceptance into the program will be reserved for the best-qualified applicants who fulfill all admission requirements. An invitation to a situational judgement interview will be sent to selected applicants to further evaluate each candidate individually for their ability to complete this comprehensive, challenging three-year program of study.

Why do I need to shadow a CRNA?

Shadowing a CRNA will allow you to observe the role and the responsibilities of a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. Candidates must be able to fluidly speak to the role of a CRNA based on observation and conversations you will have with the nurse anesthetist. Since this is a Nurse Anesthesia program, shadow experience must be with a CRNA. Candidates are responsible for setting up their shadow experience.

Since this is a Doctor of Nursing Practice program, what type of final project is required?

All students enrolled in the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program will complete an evidence-based practice project as a requirement for graduation. The evidenced-based process informs and improves clinical and educational practice and is a culmination of the knowledge gained thought the nurse anesthesia curriculum. The project is an opportunity to demonstrate an analytical approach to programmatic, administrative, policy or practice issues in a format that supports the synthesis, transfer and utilization of knowledge. This project will demonstrate identification and resolution of a practice problem through the scholarship of application or integration and is broad and holistic. The experience is designed to put to use the knowledge and skills gained within the doctoral program in a specific practice area of anesthesiology. The project is chosen to make a contribution -- in the work place, the community or in the academic arena.

How do I document my shadow experience with a CRNA in the OR?

You will need to submit complete the Nurse Anesthesia Program Shadow Verification form linked here. You will upload the completed form in the documents section of your NursingCAS application

Do I need to take the CASPer exam when I submit my application?

Yes, the CASPer Assessment must be taken prior to submitting your application to ensure the results are reviewed with all application materials. The assessment is offered monthly and additional details are available at takecasper.com.