Program Overview

---

Nurse Anesthesia (DNP-NA) Program

The Nurse Anesthesia (DNP-NA) program at Creighton University is a comprehensive, full-time, 36-month doctoral program designed to prepare students for a career as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). The program combines rigorous coursework with hands-on clinical experience, providing students with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in this demanding field.

Program Overview

The DNP-NA program is based on the Omaha campus and blends in-person and online learning, led by expert CRNA faculty and doctoral-prepared professors. The curriculum emphasizes academic excellence, compassionate service, and interprofessional collaboration, preparing students to provide high-quality patient care and assume leadership roles in the field of nurse anesthesia.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the DNP-NA program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
• 3 Credit Hours of Graduate Statistics (Grade of B or Higher)
• Undergraduate Physical Assessment Course (Grade of C or Higher)
• Grade of B or above in each of the following courses:
  • Anatomy
  • Physiology
  • Microbiology
  • Chemistry or Biochemistry
  • Pharmacology
• A bachelors degree in nursing (BSN) and/or a masters degree in nursing from a CCNE ACEN, or NLN-CNEA accredited college or university.
• An active unencumbered license as a registered nurse (RN) or advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) in the United States.
• One year of full-time, direct patient care experience in a critical care area by the application deadline.
• Job shadowing of a clinical CRNA required
• Certifications required:
  • Basic Life Support
  • Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support

Program Highlights

The DNP-NA program offers a range of highlights, including:

• Extensive Clinical Experience at Rural and Metropolitan Hospitals: Gain more than 2,500 clinical hours at large metro-area hospitals, rural and specialty hospitals, and community clinics.
• Immersive Simulation Training: Complete 300 lab/simulation hours in Creightons CL and Rachel Werner Center for Health Sciences Education.
• Advanced Technology Integration: Build expertise in Regional Anesthesia and Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) through dedicated lab hours and hands-on training.
• Comprehensive Pain Management Education: Develop knowledge in acute and chronic pain management to address the growing need for skilled pain specialists in healthcare.
• Interprofessional and Leadership Development: Benefit from specialized coursework in ethics, information technology, quality care, leadership, business, and interprofessional collaboration.

Accreditation

Creighton Universitys College of Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice Nurse Anesthesia program is currently under review for initial accreditation by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).

State Regulatory Requirements

Due to regulatory requirements in certain states, the Creighton University College of Nursing is unable to accept or enroll students who intend to reside in those states while pursuing a MSN or DNP nursing program. However, state restrictions on enrollment to the Doctor of Nursing Practice-Nurse Anesthesia Program do not apply, as students are required to live near the Omaha campus for the duration of the program.

Career Opportunities

As a CRNA, graduates will have a wide range of career opportunities, including:

• General surgery
• Cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia
• Neurosurgical anesthesia
• Obstetric anesthesia
• Pediatric anesthesia
• Outpatient/ambulatory anesthesia
• Pain management
• Trauma and critical care
• Rural and underserved settings
• Military and federal facilities

Graduates will be prepared to sit for the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) National Certification Examination (NCE) and to assume leadership roles in the field of nurse anesthesia.