Nurse Anesthesia Program, DNP

Led by a team of expert practitioners, and leaders in anesthesia care, our DNP-NA brings the real world and innovative science into the classroom. Our program faculty – who include many alumni – are nurse anesthetists who practice across a range of settings and are fully invested in helping you develop your educational and professional career. Mentored by expert nurse anesthetists and anesthesiologists, you’ll acquire the critical thinking skills for independent as well as collaborative clinical decision-making.

You’ll hone your skills in our state-of-the-art simulation center, performing procedures like placing regional anesthetics, using fiber optic intubating equipment, inserting central venous catheters, pulmonary artery catheters and chest tubes, using ultrasound guidance, performing needle cricothyroidotomies, and placing double lumen endotracheal tubes. And you’ll be exposed to experiences that range from common complications to rare occurrences. Our curriculum is divided into four conceptual areas: core courses, area courses, translating research into practice, and leadership and management.

Our robust clinical rotation allows you the opportunity to work with patients of all acuity levels including concentrations in pediatric, cardiac, and non-cardiac thoracic specialties. Our clinical coordinators work to provide you with a supervised introduction to clinical experiences, relying heavily on our excellent faculty to mentor students as they gain independence, critical thinking, and autonomy. The DNP-NA program is a full-time program which can be completed in 36 months.  

Curriculum

A total of 36 course units are required. 

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
SummerCourse Units
NURS 6070 Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology 1
NURS 6570 Advanced Physical Assessment and Clinical Decision Making 1
NURS 6810 Applied Physiology for Nurse Anesthesia I 1
NURS 6290 Basic Principles of Nurse Anesthesia Practice 1
NURS 5800 Pharmacology of Anesthesia and Accessory Drugs I 1
 Course Units5.00
Fall
NURS 6080 Advanced Pharmacology and Therapeutics for Nursing Practice 1
NURS 7510 Clinical Fieldwork for Nurse Anesthesia Practice I 1
NURS 6820 Applied Physiology for Nurse Anesthesia II 1
NURS 6030 Basic Principles of Nurse Anesthesia Practice II 1
NURS 7890 Principles of Patient Safety & Quality Improvement in Healthcare 1
 Course Units5.00
Spring
NURS 6830 Applied Physiology for Nurse Anesthesia III 1
NURS 6370 Introduction to Research Methods and Design 1
NURS 6040 Adv. Principles of Nurse Anesthesia Practice: Obstetrics, Pediatrics, & Women of Childbearing Age 1
NURS 7520 Clinical Fieldwork for Nurse Anesthesia Practice II 1
NURS 5400 Current Issues In Health and Social Policy 1
 Course Units5.00
Second Year
Summer
NURS 6050 Advanced Principles of Nurse Anesthesia Practice: Cardiac, Vascular, and Thoracic Surgery 1
NURS 7550 Clinical Fieldwork for Nurse Anesthesia Practice III 1
NURS 8510 Translating Evidence into Practice (DNP Project #1) 1
NURS 5000 Introduction to Principles and Methods of Epidemiology 1
 Course Units4.00
Fall
NURS 6060 Adv Principles of Nurse Anesthesia Practice: Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, Pain Management & Trauma 1
NURS 7450 Data Analytics 1
NURS 8521 DNP Project II:  Project Proposal 1
NURS 7560 Nurse Anesthesia Residency I 1
 Course Units4.00
Spring
NURS 6090 Advanced Principles of Nurse Anesthesia Practice: Special Surgery 1
NURS 7570 Nurse Anesthesia Residence II 1
NURS 7480 Leadership Development in Healthcare 1
NURS 8531 DNP Project III: Project Implementation 1
 Course Units4.00
Third Year
Summer
NURS 6510 Healthcare Informatics 1
NURS 7580 Nurse Anesthesia Residency III 1
NURS 8580 Professional Aspects & Leadership for Nurse Anesthesia Practice 1
 Course Units3.00
Fall
NURS 6110 Advanced Principles of Nurse Anesthesia Practice: Problem-Based Learning 1
NURS 7590 Nurse Anesthesia Residency IV 1
NURS 7900 The Business of Healthcare: Principles of Finance, Accounting and Economics 1
 Course Units3.00
Spring
NURS 7600 Nurse Anesthesia Residency V 2
NURS 6140 Advanced Principles of Nurse Anesthesia Practice- Professional Practice 1
 Course Units3.00
 Total Course Units36.00

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2024 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.