Admission Requirements

The admission requirements are as follows*:

· Graduate of an accredited nursing program.

· Baccalaureate degree in Nursing or appropriate science degree. (Examples of an appropriate science degree include Chemistry, Biology and Physics). Those who have degrees in other areas will be considered based on their academic background and basic science achievement.

· The Albany Medical College allows for the transfer of credits. This is done on an individual basis following the policies and procedures of the medical college.

· Minimum of one year (two years preferred) recent (within five years preferred) experience as a registered professional nurse in a critical care area in which the applicant has had the opportunity to develop critical decision making and psychomotor skills, and the ability to use and interpret advanced monitoring techniques.**

· Critical Care Essentials I & II (or equivalent) required.**

· CCRN Examination (or equivalent) preferred.

· Verification of initial licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse in the US.

· Verification of initial licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse in New
York State.

· Verification of New York State Infection Control and Barrier Precautions Certificate; must be obtained prior to the start of the Program.

· Verification of current New York State Registration Certification as Registered Professional Nurse.

· Verification of current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

· Verification of current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.

· Verification of current Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification.

· Undergraduate Research Methods Course****

· Undergraduate Organic Chemistry Course

· Completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE); website www.gre.org

· Three references: one from current immediate supervisor; one from a faculty member; one from an appropriate individual.

· Official undergraduate transcript(s).

· Nurse Anesthesiology Program Professional Credentialing form.

· 500-word Statement

· Completed application form

· An application fee of $75.00 made payable to Albany Medical College Center

for Nurse Anesthesiology

· Personal interview.

A non-refundable matriculation fee of $500.00 is required with enrollment contract.

All fees are subject to change without prior notice.

*Requirements are subject to change in accordance with the criteria set forth by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs and the Albany Medical College.

**A critical care area is defined as one where the registered professional nurse manages invasive hemodynamic monitors, ventilatory care and pharmacologic interventions. The critical care areas, in order of preference, include the following: Surgical Intensive Care, Post-Open Heart, Coronary Care, Medical Intensive Care, Post-Anesthesia, and Pediatric or Neonatal Intensive Care. Those who have experiences in other areas will be considered provided they can demonstrate familiarity with invasive monitoring, ventilators, and critical care pharmacology.

***Critical Care Essentials I&II, or their equivalent, review essential critical care skills required of every nurse who manages high acuity patients. The courses may be completed online or in a traditional classroom format. Certificate of completion is required.

****Research methods are defined as follows: The purpose of research methods is to demonstrate an understanding of the purpose of research. Research is the application of the scientific method to solving real world problems. Specifically research methods provide models for the appropriate collection organization, and analysis of unbiased data for decision making, replication, and to contribute to the knowledge base. Students should be able to understand the research reports that are read and be able to analyze and critique them accordingly. A research course should cover the entire research process including: formulating research questions; sampling (probability and nonprobability); measurement (surveys, scaling, qualitative, unobtrusive); research design (experimental and quasi-experimental); data analysis; and writing the research paper. It should also include the major theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of research including: the idea of validity in research; reliability of measures; and ethics.