Please have the following information ready before starting the online application.

Prerequisites

Check the prerequisite review worksheet (PDF) to determine if requirements have been met. You will need to enter these into the online application.

Transcripts

Applicants are required to provide transcripts of all prior collegiate coursework. Please provide one unofficial copy of the official transcript, including the institution's official seal, from every institution from which a course has been completed. After requesting an official transcript, scan the document or take a photo of it, and upload the image directly within the online application. The application is not considered complete until all transcripts have been uploaded.

Transcripts marked with "COPY" are acceptable during the application process. However, printing or capturing a webpage is not accepted. Student advising reports or any transcript marked "unofficial transcript" are also not accepted. Transcripts provided to KU in any other way may not be considered part of the application.

If using the National Student Clearinghouse to provide official transcripts to KU electronically, please do not select "University of Kansas" as the destination. Instead, use the address natranscripts@kumc.edu. For courses taken outside the United States, please see the foreign transcript policy.

Statement of Purpose

To submit with your online application, please write a statement of purpose of 500 words or less to clearly explain your future long-term goals as a nurse anesthesia provider and your hopes for contributions to the profession. Your statement of purpose must demonstrate writing skills appropriate for graduate-level education.

Resume/CV

During the application process, you will need to upload a resume or curriculum vitae. Have this file ready and saved in a Word or PDF format before beginning your online application. The resume should include prior employment, including details of all RN and ICU experience. It should also include any participation in professional and/or voluntary organizations. Participation in professional and/or voluntary organizations or committees (e.g., hospital, alumni or nonprofits) is considered an advantage in the admission evaluation.

References

Select two individuals as references who will answer questions to provide a recommendation based on your performance in academic or professional settings. The references must be provided by the following individuals:

1. A current nurse manager/supervisor, and
2. An advanced-practice nurse or physician having routinely worked with and observed the work of the applicant.

One of the references must be from the student's most recent ICU position. Family members and friends may not serve as a reference.

Please make sure each reference is willing to submit answers to the questionnaire online. They will receive a link from "KU Graduate Admissions <graduateadm@ku.edu>" with a link to complete the recommendation form and upload their letter.

It is the responsibility of the student to ensure both references have provided the evaluation and formal letter prior to the application deadline. Applications without complete reference materials will be marked as incomplete and not be reviewed.

Proof of Certification

If certified, please provide critical care registered nurse certification by uploading a copy of your documentation with the online application.

Shadow Verification Form

Students are required to complete an anesthesia shadow experience. This allows applicants to experience "a day in the life" of a professional in this field and gain insight into the many positive aspects of the profession, as well as potential challenges. Shadow appointments may be scheduled at The University of Kansas Health System by emailing the department office.

The date and time of shadow experience depend on faculty availability. A valid unencumbered RN license is required to shadow at the health system here on campus or at satellite sites. The shadow experience may be completed at any hospital, including the student's place of current employment. During the shadow experience, students observe only and are not allowed to touch any patient or perform any procedure.

Applicants are responsible for arranging the shadow experience and ensuring that the anesthesia provider completes the shadow verification form (PDF). 

If shadow experience has been completed, the form will be uploaded with the online application. If the shadow experience has not yet been completed, the form may be submitted at a later date.

Proof of Enrollment

If any prerequisite coursework remains to be completed, proof of enrollment may be submitted with your online application. Any proof of enrollment submitted must have the applicant’s name, the name of the course(s), the college's name, and dates of the course(s). Proof of enrollment may also be submitted at a later date.

Next Steps

After you have submitted the online application, please remember to follow-up and complete the following:

References

Contact each of your references to inform them that they will be receiving an email from "KU Medical Center" requesting he or she submit a reference online.

Official Transcripts

During the application process, you will have provided unofficial copies of your transcripts. Prior to enrollment, you must arrange to have an official copy of each transcript from every college and university attended sent directly to KU.

Official transcripts are required regardless of the number of classes taken or if credits may also show up on another transcript. Transcripts must be sent directly from the institution to KU and not handled by the student. Transcripts marked "Issued to Student" are not acceptable, even if in a sealed envelope.

Please do not submit official transcripts online or via mail until asked to do so following acceptance and admission to the program. If using the National Student Clearinghouse to provide electronic transcripts, please do not use the "University of Kansas" option and instead enter the address natranscripts@kumc.edu.

If coursework was completed at an institution outside the United States, please review the foreign transcript policy.

If the institution provides electronic transcripts, please request they be sent to NAtranscripts@kumc.edu.

Hard copy transcripts should be mailed to the following address:

Attn: Admissions
KU Department of Nurse Anesthesia Education
MS 2020/3901 Rainbow Blvd
Kansas City, KS 66160

Other Documents

If you did not supply any of the following documents with your online application, they must be delivered directly to the department by email (na@kumc.edu), fax (913-588-3334) or to the office mailing address above:

• Shadow verification form.
• CCRN verification (if applicable).
• Proof of enrollment in any missing prerequisite courses.

Check Application Status

You can log into the Slate application platform to find the latest status of your application. As changes are made, applicants will receive an email from the department indicating the status of their application.

Personal Interview

After the application cycle closes, the program selects students to be invited for personal interviews. Qualified applicants who are invited to interview must attend the interview to be considered for admission. Interviews are held in the fall for applicants using the standard application process. For Kansas residents using the early-decision option, interviews are held in the summer.

Applicants accepted to the program will receive notification a few weeks later. Not all applicants will be granted an interview. The top 80-90 applicants will be invited to interview each year.

Background Check and Drug Screen

The Joint Commission requires all incoming students to submit to a background check and provide the report to KU. This one-time fee must be paid by the student directly to the company performing the background investigation. Applicants will be asked to request the report and make payment only after official acceptance into the program. For more information, please see the School of Health Professions background check and drug screen instructions. Drug screening is required for activities in a clinical environment. Depending on geographic location, more than one drug test may be needed.

Students are also required to obtain active RN licenses for Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma prior to the start of the program at the end of May each year. Any license with restrictions will not be accepted. Life support certification in ACLS, BLS and PALS must be completed and kept current throughout the program at the student's expense

The program accepts applications from registered nurses who meet the admission requirements set forth by the Council on Accreditation and the National Board on Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists, the KU Department of Nurse Anesthesia Education and the University of Kansas.

KU seeks a culturally diverse student body and does not discriminate against any group protected by law.

KU reserves the right to make changes in policy, requirements, tuition, financial aid, and fee structure as the needs of its administration, faculty, students, and conducting or affiliating institutions change. These changes may occur without prior notification. For any questions, and to assure applicants have the most current information available, please contact the program offices.