Nurse Anesthesia (BSN to DNP)
The Geisinger/Bloomsburg University Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) nurse anesthesia program prepares nurse leaders to apply advanced practice skills at the highest level of clinical practice. Students will be prepared to assume a higher level of responsibility and leadership in nursing and health care, with the ultimate goal of improving the health care delivery system of the nation.
The focus of the program is nurse anesthesia practice-oriented investigation in the clinical setting emphasizing health education, leadership, research application, and analysis of health care outcomes. The program will prepare advance practice nurses as clinical scholars skilled in patient centered care, intra-professional collaboration, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, policy advocacy, and improved use of informatics and technology.
This option is designed to prepare nurses as a certified registered nurse anesthetist. Primary goals are to:
- provide a higher level of scientific background and practical experience
- to function as an integral part of the health care team
- to prepare the nurse for instructional and leadership roles
- and to facilitate the completion of the Certified Exam for Nurse Anesthetists
Bloomsburg University’s nurse anesthesia program emphasizes the acquisition of essential knowledge and skills, including the ability to:
Program Director
Debra Minzola, Ph.D., MSN, CRNA
djminzola@geisinger.edu
570-271-6763
dminzola@bloomu.edu
3109 McCormick Center
570-271-6763
Fax: 570-389-5008
- apply theory and research knowledge gained from nursing the sciences and humanities to provide optimum care to the patient,
- evaluate the patient preoperatively, anticipating requirements necessary in the perioperative and post-anesthesia phases,
- administer a safe and physiologically investigator and in collaboration with colleagues,
- develop leadership skills necessary in the role as clinician, teacher, researcher, advocate, manager and consultant,
- acquire an appreciation for involvement in the professional activities of the local, regional and national organization,
- and relate to and interact with the total health care community of which anesthesiology is one component.
Getting Started: Nurse Anesthesia Admission
Completed applications are due in the graduate office by July 1.
Completed application packets consist of the following information (all application materials should be sent directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions, Bloomsburg University, 219 Greenly Center, 50 E. Main St, Bloomsburg, PA 17815 or electronically to gradadmissions@bloomu.edu
- Online graduate school application
- A baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally-accredited school program
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended
- Copy of current, unencumbered Pennsylvania professional nursing license
- Resume which includes description of professional nursing and clinical experience
- Documentation of BLS, ACLS and PALS certification — PALS is required for application but a PA license can be obtained upon acceptance into the program (acceptance contingent upon getting a PA license).
- Narrative describing personal and professional goals for graduate education and Nurse Anesthesia option
- Three Nurse Anesthesia Recommendation forms
- Documentation of at least eight hours of shadowing a CRNA with verification by that individual
- At least one year of current full-time critical care experience such as AICU, CCU, PICU, and NICU by application date July 1. (ER, Life Flight, or Recovery Room do not qualify towards critical care experience requirement.)
- Certification in Critical Care Nursing (CCRN) is mandatory. American Association of Critical-Care Nurses: Get Certified (add link)
- Nurse Anesthesia Pre-requisite Course Form
- Nurse Anesthesia Clinical Experience Form
- Shadow Experience Form
Interviews with the Joint Admissions Committee will be conducted during the month of September.
Student Attrition and Pass Rates
| 2024 Class Attrition (number of students) | TBD |
| 2024 Employment of graduates within 6 months | TBD |
| 2024 Certification examination pass rate for 1st time takers | TBD |
| 2024 overall pass rate | TBD |
The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
Founded in 1931 and located in Park Ridge, Ill., the AANA is the professional organization for nearly 47,000 nurse anesthetists. As advanced practice nurses, CRNAs administer more than 34 million anesthetics in the United States each year. CRNAs practice in every setting where anesthesia is available and are the primary providers of anesthesia care in rural America. They administer every type of anesthetic, and provide care for every type of surgery or procedure, from open heart to cataract to pain management.
Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists
The Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists (PANA) promotes Nurse Anesthesia practice by striving to increase public awareness regarding the capability of these advance practice nurses to act as providers of quality health care. It is the purpose of this Association to promote, through continuing education, the science and art of anesthesiology as provided by CRNAs in all practice settings. In collaboration with the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, PANA offers its members the resources necessary to advance patient safety and practice excellence.
Program Accreditations
Bloomsburg University's nurse anesthesia program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational (COA) Programs, 222 S. Prospect Avenue, Park Ridge, Ill. 60068-4001, 847-655-1160, coacrna.org. The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) requires that all students matriculating into a nurse anesthesia educational program on Jan. 1, 2022 or thereafter be enrolled in a program approved by the COA to award a practice doctoral degree.
The Geisinger/Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania Nurse Anesthesia Program has received approval for the Doctor of Nursing Practice from the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational (COA) Programs. The Geisinger/Bloomsburg University Nurse anesthesia program will transition to the BSN to DNP entry program in May 2021 with our first cohort scheduled to graduate May 2024. The last Bloomsburg University BSN to MSN cohort is scheduled to graduate in May 2023.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Bloomsburg University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
Out-of-state licensure and certification
Professional licensure laws and regulations vary from state to state and are subject to change without notice. Bloomsburg University is approved to offer programs that may lead to licensure in Pennsylvania. Currently, BU’s MSN-NA program meets the educational requirements for licensure in all states; however, there may be non-academic requirements (such as a jurisprudence examination, background check, or fees) that are individual to a state. Therefore, if you are planning to pursue a professional credential in a state other than PA, it is highly recommended that you review licensure requirements and contact the appropriate state licensing agency to seek guidance and verify the provided requirements prior to starting a program. Visit the state authorization page for more details.