St. John Fisher University Announces Dual Doctoral Degree in Nurse Anesthesia and Adult Gerontology Acute Care
In January 2025, the Wegmans School of Nursing at St. John Fisher University will enroll the first cohort for the Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia and Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP). Applications will begin to be accepted on August 1, 2024, with admissions interviews planned for October.
A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) can administer anesthesia, assist with pain management, and ensure patients are safe and comfortable before, during, and after surgical and complex medical procedures. Historically, nurse anesthesia programs have only needed to offer a master’s degree to become CRNAs; however, beginning in 2025, all nurse anesthesia programs will be required to hold a doctoral degree to enter the profession. Fisher’s program will provide doctoral preparation for nurses seeking to become CRNAs and AGACNP.
The full time, 36-month (nine semester) program is designed for nurses working in a critical care setting. Graduates from the program will be eligible for board certification as an AGACNP and CRNA. Students will complete a minimum of 2,600 clinical hours, with 600 of those clinical hours allocated to the role of the AGACNP. Having clinical experience in both acute care and anesthesia care, graduates will be able to deliver comprehensive anesthesia and inpatient hospital services in urban and rural areas. Facilitated through the Glover-Crask Simulation Center at the Wegmans School of Nursing, students will utilize augmented reality, virtual reality, low and high-fidelity simulation to enhance and prepare for various scenarios they will encounter in the clinical setting.
“Establishing a new nurse anesthesia program within the Wegmans School of Nursing aligns with our mission to prepare exceptional health care leaders through inclusive and innovative education,” said Dr. Tricia Gatlin, dean of the School. “Given the critical shortage of anesthesia providers in our community, this program will play a pivotal role in advancing the health and wellness of local, national, and global communities, furthering our commitment to improving health care outcomes.”
The program’s focus on inclusivity ensures that diverse perspectives and experiences are valued and integrated, fostering a more comprehensive and culturally competent approach to health care. Moreover, the program’s innovative curriculum promotes advanced learning and equips students with the necessary tools and knowledge to address the complex and evolving challenges in health care.
The baccalaureate, master’s, and DNP programs at Fisher are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing and the School is pursuing additional accreditation for the CRNA program through the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs.
To learn more, call the Office of Graduate Admissions at (585) 385-8064 or visit the program’s website.