In 2006, the University of South Florida College of Nursing launched its Nurse Anesthesiology program with just 12 students. Over the last 18 years, the program has expanded fivefold from its initial size and now ranks among the 10 largest programs in the country by cohort size. The USF College of Nursing is now "home" to 155 Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students, guided by the immediate past President of the Florida Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (FANA), Michelle Canale, DNP, CRNA, APRN, FAANA, and the current President, Karla Maldonado, DrAP, CRNA, APRN, FAANA.
In 2012, the program made history by becoming the first to establish itself within a state-of-the-art simulation center through its partnership with the Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation (CAMLS). Another milestone was achieved in 2017 when the Council on Accreditation approved a transition from a Master of Science (MSN) degree to a DNP degree. This transition led to the graduation of the first Bull Nurse DNP in Nurse Anesthesiology class in 2022.
“It is an honor to lead one of the best nurse anesthesiology programs in the country. I am so grateful to work with an exceptional team of expert CRNA faculty and have access to unmatched training resources supported by our College of Nursing,” says Dr. Canale.
Another first for the program occurred this fall as Alexis Soyster, a Nurse Anesthesiology Student and the Cohort 2022 Class President, was selected to receive the prestigious Kosove Scholarship from USF. The Kosove Scholarship is an extraordinary and highly coveted award within the university. This marks the first time a Nurse Anesthesiology student has been chosen for this esteemed honor.
With a track record of excellence, our graduates boast a 100% employment rate on or before graduation. It’s no wonder that U.S. News and World Report ranks "Nurse Anesthetist" as #5 for the best-paying jobs and #6 for the best healthcare jobs in 2024.
More about CRNAs
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) practice in all settings where anesthesia
is delivered, including operating rooms, obstetrical delivery rooms, dental and podiatry
offices, ophthalmology practices, plastic surgery facilities, and the practice of
pain management. They also serve in the U.S. military as the primary providers of
anesthesia care to U.S. military personnel on the front lines, navy ships, and aircraft
evacuation teams around the globe. Currently, CRNAs may practice without physician
supervision in 43 U.S. states and Guam.
To learn more about the USF College of Nursing DNP in Nurse Anesthesiology Program join us for an Open House on May 16, 2024, from 2-5 PM. Click here to RSVP.