Program Overview

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Introduction to the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) - Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), DNP Program

The Hofstra Northwell Graduate Program in Nurse Anesthesia provides a graduate-level curriculum leading to the award of a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia degree. This program has been granted specialty accreditation through the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).

Program Overview

All DNP Nurse Anesthesia program graduates will be prepared to sit for the National Certification Exam (NCE) administered by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) as well as certification as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner by American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and/or American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN).

Accreditation and Approval

The Hofstra Northwell Graduate Program in Nurse Anesthesia has received NYS Education Department approval.

Program Details

• Number of graduated AGACNP - CRNA - DNP students:
  • 2024: 19
  • 2025: 31
• Attrition Rate:
  • 2024: 0%
  • 2025: 6%
• First-Time NCE Pass Rate:
  • 2024:
    • Method 1 pass rate 78.9%
    • Method 3 pass rate 84%
    • Overall pass rate 100%
  • 2025:
    • Method 1 pass rate 93.5%
    • Overall Pass rate: 100%
• Employment Rate of Graduates within six months of graduation:
  • 2024: 100%
  • 2025: 100%

Admission Requirements

• Although a minimum of 1 year of full-time critical care experience is a national requirement for admission to any Nurse Anesthesia program, Hofstra Northwell requires a minimum of 2 years ICU experience.
• To be a competitive candidate, applicants generally have 3-4 years of ICU experience.
• An applicant's critical care experience must be completed at the time of applying for the nurse anesthesia program.
• Experience in other areas other than intensive care units may be acceptable for admission if the applicant can demonstrate competence on a routine basis of one or more of the following: Invasive Hemodynamic Monitors (PA, CVP, and arterial catheters), Cardiac Assist Devices, Mechanical Ventilation, and Vasoactive Infusions.

Clinical Placement Sites

Students will be rotated to various clinical sites located over Long Island, Staten Island, Manhattan, and Westchester for exposure to a variety of surgical procedures. Clinical sites include:

• Northwell Health - Huntington Hospital
• Northwell Health - Lenox Hill Hospital
• Northwell Health - Long Island Jewish Medical Center
• Northwell Health - Long Island Jewish Forest Hills
• Northwell Health - Manhattan Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Hospital
• Northwell Health - Mather Hospital
• Northwell Health - Northern Westchester Hospital
• Northwell Health - North Shore University Hospital
• Northwell Health - Phelps Hospital
• Northwell Health - Peconic Bay Medical Center
• Northwell Health - Plainview Hospital
• Northwell Health - South Shore University Hospital
• Northwell Health - Staten Island University Hospital - North
• Northwell Health - Staten Island University Hospital - South
• Northwell Health - Syosset Hospital
• Northwell Health - Valley Stream Hospital

Career Opportunities

Once passing the National Certification Boards (NCE), graduates are eligible to practice in a variety of settings, including ambulatory surgical centers, pain clinics, physicians' offices, traditional hospital operating rooms, and government facilities including the U.S. military.

Clinical Hours and Cases

The national minimum requirement to qualify for the National Certification Examination for Nurse Anesthetists is 2,000 hours and 600 anesthetizing cases. Our students far exceed this number. Since this is a dual ACGNP/CRNA program, students will graduate with an additional 500 critical care hours allowing them to become board certified and licensed as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner as well.

Application Process

The application process is entirely online through the NursingCAS application. For fall 2026, please apply in the 24-25 cycle. The application for fall 2026 consideration will close on September 1, 2025.

Shadow Experience

Shadowing a CRNA will allow you to observe the role and the responsibilities of a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. Candidates must be able to fluidly speak to the role of a CRNA based on observation and conversations you will have with the nurse anesthetist.

Final Project

All students enrolled in the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program will complete an evidence-based practice project as a requirement for graduation. The evidence-based process informs and improves clinical and educational practice and is a culmination of the knowledge gained thought the nurse anesthesia curriculum.

Program Structure

The blended curriculum provides the opportunity for students to begin engaging in the art and science of nurse anesthesia from their first semester in the program with clinical residencies beginning shortly thereafter. Many cutting-edge technologies, including structured high-fidelity simulation activities and use of the Bioskills Cadaver Lab, are incorporated and threaded throughout the Nurse Anesthesia Program at Hofstra University. Students will train in the operating room from the first semester until program completion.