Program Overview

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Nurse Anesthesia DNP Program

The Nurse Anesthesia Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at UC College of Nursing prepares highly skilled Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists to safely and autonomously administer anesthesia and manage patient care before, during, and after procedures across all healthcare settings.

Program Delivery

Program delivery combines didactical and practical onsite experiences. This program prepares graduates for the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) National Certification Exam.

Nurse Anesthesia DNP Program Highlights

• Support from 15 experienced CRNA didactic and simulation faculty and more than 80 clinical faculty.
• Diverse clinical experiences include a Level I Trauma Center, high-risk obstetric unit, one of the nation's top pediatric hospitals, and multiple outpatient surgery centers and community hospitals. Majority of clinical sites are located within 50 miles of the university.
• Affordable tuition with opportunities for scholarships and other funding in a city with affordable cost of living.
• Opportunity of meeting top recruiters in the country at our annual onsite CRNA Job Fair.

Nurse Anesthesia DNP Program Pathways

• Nurses holding a Bachelor of Science in Nursing pursue the full program, which requires 36 months (nine semesters) of full-time study. Clinical time and responsibilities begin in the third semester and gradually increase throughout the program.
• Nurses holding a Master of Science in Nursing in Nurse Anesthesia earn a DNP through UC's Post-MSN DNP online program, which does not require additional anesthesia practicum hours.
• Nurses holding a graduate degree in another specialty receive transfer credit for select courses from other accredited nursing programs.

Admission Requirements

Education Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing, or Doctor of Nursing Practice from an ACEN- (formerly NLNAC) or CCNE-accredited nursing institution
• Minimum overall GPA of 3.4 on a 4.0 scale (recommended). The average overall GPA for the most recent admitted class was 3.6 on a 4.0 scale.
• Minimum science GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale (recommended). Science GPA is based on all courses in these subject areas from your undergraduate and graduate career.
• Prerequisites: Any undergraduate or graduate course with a minimum B (3.0 on 4.0 scale) in the following subject areas:
  • Chemistry
  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Statistics

Experience Requirements

• A current, active, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) licensure with no disciplinary action from any state in the U.S.
• A minimum of one year of full-time ICU experience as a registered nurse within the past two years by the time of the application deadline
• Current CCRN Certification
• Current American Heart Association ACLS Provider Certification
• Recommended: Experience serving on a committee for an intensive care unit, health care facility, or professional nursing organization

Generalized Test Requirements

• English proficiency scores. Waived for applicants who are from a country where English is the official language or who have completed a higher education degree in a country where English is the official language.
  • TOEFL score of 100 or higher
  • IELTS score of 7.0 or higher
  • Duolingo score of 120 or higher

Technical Standards for Admission, Continuation, and Graduation

Applicants/students to the University of Cincinnati Nurse Anesthesia Program are selected based on their academic, personal, and extracurricular attributes. Applicants/students must have the intellectual, physical, and emotional capabilities to meet the requirements of the nurse anesthesia curriculum and to function as a safe anesthesia clinical provider.

Technical Standards for Nurse Anesthesia Studies Required for Admission, Continuation, and Graduation

Applicant/student for the Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia must be able to demonstrate intellectual-conceptual, integrative, and quantitative abilities; skills in observation, communication, and motor functions; and mature behavioral and social attributes.

Application Deadline

The Nurse Anesthesia DNP program admits for the spring semester only. Submitting your application by the priority consideration deadline ensures you will be considered for an interview.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition & Fees Enrollment	Ohio Resident	Metro Resident (KY or IN)	Non-Resident	Program Fee
Part Time (9 credits or fewer)	$836 per credit	$861 per credit	$1,423 per credit	$34 per credit
Full Time (10 credits or more)	$8,359 per semester	$8,609 per semester	$14,228 per semester	$338 per semester

Application Process

Deadline | Part 1

• Resume: Provide your CV or resume in PDF format.
• Certifications & Forms:
  • CCRN certification, both adult and pediatric accepted
  • ACLS certification
  • Completed Shadowing Documentation Form (PDF)
• International Students:
• Goal Statement: Your goal statement should demonstrate a clear understanding of the specialty area you are applying for, explain your interest in the specialty, highlight your preparedness and reasons for pursuing the program, and describe your goals after graduation.

Deadline | Part 2

• Transcripts: Official transcripts from all schools previously attended, including community colleges and two- and four-year colleges and universities.
• References: Three letters of reference from individuals who can attest to your academic and professional skills.
• GRE (optional) and English Proficiency Scores:
  • GRE scores (optional) submitted to the University of Cincinnati, code 1833
  • Upload English Proficiency Scores to your application.
    • TOEFL
    • IELTS – 7.0 overall minimum
    • Duolingo – 120 or higher

Nurse Anesthesia DNP Program Accreditation

In 2022, the University of Cincinnati College of Nursing Nurse Anesthesia Program was awarded the 10-year accreditation (maximum) by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).

Student Retention and Graduate Certification Exam Pass Rate & Employment

Class	No. Entered	Attrition Rate	Certification Exam 1st Time Pass Rate	Certification Exam Overall Pass Rate	Employment within 6 Months of Graduation
2025	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
2024	100%	100%	100%	100%
2023	89%	100%	100%
2022	96%	100%	100%