Program Overview

Program Overview

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)Nurse Anesthesia track is a 36-month program designed to prepare Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) for advanced clinical practice and leadership in complex healthcare environments. The program results in a DNP degree and follows a deliberate progression, beginning with rigorous didactic coursework, advancing to high-fidelity simulation experiences, and culminating in immersive, longitudinal clinical education.

Curriculum Structure

The curriculum is structured to ensure that students develop a strong foundation in advanced science and anesthesia principles prior to assuming increasing responsibility in patient care settings. Clinical education is comprehensive and diverse, encompassing:

• Academic medical centers
• Level I trauma centers
• Community hospitals
• Rural facilities
• Independent CRNA practices

Clinical Education

Through this breadth of experiences, students care for complex pediatric and adult patients in large teaching hospitals while also providing anesthesia services to patients of all ages in community and rural settings. Graduates acquire extensive hands-on experience across the full spectrum of anesthesia practice, including:

• General anesthesia techniques
• Neuraxial anesthesia techniques
• Peripheral regional anesthesia techniques

Evaluation and Assessment

Student performance is systematically evaluated based on:

• The integration of didactic knowledge into clinical decision-making
• Demonstration of critical thinking
• Execution of safe and effective patient management strategies

Interprofessional Education

As part of an intraprofessional academic environment, students are educated alongside advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) colleagues to develop competencies in:

• Leadership
• Advocacy
• Education
• Research

Scholarly Project

The program culminates in the development, implementation, and dissemination of an anesthesia-focused scholarly project, preparing graduates to contribute meaningfully to clinical practice, healthcare systems, and the advancement of the nurse anesthesia profession.