Program Overview

Introduction to the DNP Nurse Anesthesia Program

The DNP Nurse Anesthesia program at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing prepares advanced practice nurses to administer all types of anesthetics for various surgeries and procedures. As expert clinicians, they focus on preoperative evaluation, intraoperative management, and postoperative anesthesia care.

Program Overview

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) play a fundamental role in ensuring access to safe anesthesia care for patients. The program provides students with the opportunity to give direct patient care, participate in staff education programs, and identify clinical topics for research.

How FPB Prepares CRNAs

Students work one on one with a clinical preceptor with expertise in nurse anesthesia and participate in administering general and regional anesthesia in persons of all ages. The management of emergency operations, obstetrics, pediatrics, and neurosurgery are an integral part of the clinical experience. Graduates will be eligible to take the certification examination administered by the National Board of Certification & Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA).

Basic Program Requirements

• All applicants must have one or more years of recent critical care experience with specialty certification (i.e., CCRN).
• A critical care area is defined as one where, on a routine basis, the registered professional nurse manages one or more of the following: invasive hemodynamic monitors (such as pulmonary artery catheter, CVP, arterial); cardiac assist devices; mechanical ventilation; and vasoactive infusions.
• One of the references in the application packet must be from a current nurse manager or assistant nurse manager.

Accreditation

The program has been accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) since October 2000. The accreditation recognizes the program for providing graduate-level curriculums leading to the award of a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree, a Post-Master's Certificate, or a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP).

Program Accreditation Details

• The Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing Program of Nurse Anesthesia, Case Western Reserve University, was granted continued accreditation for 10 years and will be scheduled for its next consideration of continued accreditation in Spring 2030.
• The Cleveland Clinic Foundation/Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University Nurse Anesthesia Program, was granted continued accreditation for 10 years and will be scheduled for its next consideration of continued accreditation in Spring 2033.

Program Statistics

The following statistics are available for the program:

• Attrition Rate
• 5-Year Average
• NCE 1st Time Pass Rate
• 5-Year Average
• Employment Rate
  • FPB 2023: 18% attrition rate, 93% NCE 1st time pass rate, 100% employment rate
  • CCF 2023: 0% attrition rate, 89% NCE 1st time pass rate, 100% employment rate
  • FPB 2024: 14% attrition rate, 82% NCE 1st time pass rate, 92% employment rate
  • CCF 2024: 5% attrition rate, 94.7% NCE 1st time pass rate, 94.7% employment rate

Curriculum

A sample curriculum plan for the DNP Nurse Anesthesia Program is available, outlining the courses and clinical experiences required for completion of the program.