The nationally accredited doctoral nurse anesthesia program at FSU Panama City is a rigorous 36-month program focused on patient care before, during and after surgical procedures in a variety of settings. The curriculum highlights the use of critical thinking, clear communication and professionalism while conducting various anesthesia techniques, and places an emphasis on analysis, evaluation, and critical decision making skills in all anesthetic areas.<br>As of 2021, Florida State University has been approved by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) to offer the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) program. Graduates of the DNAP program shall receive a doctoral degree, be an expert in research-based anesthesia clinical practices, be eligible for the CRNA exam, and shall acquire knowledge, skills, and competencies including patient safety, individualized perianesthetic management, critical thinking, and communication skills needed for their professional role.<br><br>The DNAP curricular framework was developed with the required standards set forth by the COA, as well as additional coursework that will best develop graduate students into independent advanced practice nurses prepared to enter the workforce. The courses are sequenced in a manner that helps students to blend didactic knowledge with clinical application and culminate in the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and independent critical thinking that are required to practice as a CRNA. Each graduate student will be actively engaged in a scholarly inquiry project which will ultimately be presented at the local and/or national level to a body of peers.