The postbaccalaureate doctor of nursing practice (DNP) nurse anesthesia program is the only doctoral program for nurse anesthesia in the state. The DNP curriculum prepares our graduates for the full scope of nurse anesthesia practice in a variety of clinical settings. The curriculum is divided into an initial Didactic Phase for the first year followed by the gradual integration of the Clinical Specialty Phase which continues to include a didactic course of study. Students will also complete DNP project experience hours focused on the development, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination of a DNP project. Final committee approval of the DNP project in conjunction with successful completion of all specialty-specific requirements deem the student eligible for a doctor of nursing practice degree. Graduates are eligible to sit for the national certification examination offered through the NBCRNA.
Curriculum: The full-time program is 85-credits with 2800 precepted practicum hours.
The following are the required courses for this program:
Core Courses- NURS 5104 - Advanced Pathophysiology (3)
- NURS 5105 - Advanced Clinical Pharmacology (3)
- ADHA 5107 - Advanced Health Assessment (3)
D.P.N. Core Courses
- NURS 6010 - Clinical Scholarship (2)
- NURS 6060 - Clinical Inquiry for Evidence-Based Practice (3)
- NURS 6930 - Information Technology for Evidence-Based Practice (3)
- NURS 6780 - Health Care Economics and Business Practices for Advanced Practice Nurses (3)
- NURS 6980 - Epidemiology and Population Health (3)
- NURS 6020 - Management and Analysis of Health Data for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (3)
- NURS 6940 - Evidence Translation and Implementation Science (3)
- NURS 6030 - D.N.P. Project Planning and Proposal Development (3)
- NURS 6031 - D.N.P. Project Implementation (2)
- NURS 6032 - D.N.P. Project Evaluation and Dissemination (2)
Specialty Courses
- ANST 6001 - Physics/Technology/Equipment in Anesthesia (2)
- ANST 6002 - Advanced Physiology (3)
- ANST 6003 - Pharmacology of Anesthetics (3)
- ANST 6004 - Introduction to Anesthetic Management (2)
- ANST 6005 - Anesthesia and Coexisting Disease (3)
- ANST 6006 - Regional Anesthesia (2)
- ANST 6201 - Anesthesia Practicum 1 (1) (200 clinical hours)
- ANST 6007 - Pharmacology of Accessory Drugs (3)
- ANST 6008 - Cardiovascular/Thoracic Anesthesia (2)
- ANST 6009 - Pediatric Anesthesia (2)
- ANST 6010 - Obstetrical Anesthesia (2)
- ANST 6202 - Anesthesia Practicum 2 (1) (200 clinical hours)
- ANST 6011 - Neurosurgical Anesthesia (2)
- ANST 6012 - Anesthetic Management for Common Procedures Part 1 (2)
- ANST 6203 - Anesthesia Practicum 3 (3) (600 clinical hours)
- ANST 6013 - Anesthetic Management for Common Procedures Part 2 (3)
- ANST 6014 - Acute and Chronic Pain Management (1)
- ANST 6015 - Quality, Safety, and Access in Anesthesia (2)
- ANST 6204 - Anesthesia Practicum 4 (3) (600 clinical hours)
- ANST 6205 - Anesthesia Practicum 5 (3) (600 clinical hours)
- ANST 6016 - High Acuity/Complex Anesthetic Management (2)
- ANST 6206 - Anesthesia Practicum 6 (3) (600 clinical hours)
In addition to the successful completion of the above course requirements, all DNP students must meet all the DNP project requirements set forth by the program.
A student who does not complete their DNP project during the project-related courses will be registered for a 1-credit project continuation course in subsequent semesters until the project is complete.
The minimum number of combined clinical practicum and DNP project experience hours is 1000. Although this program far exceeds this minimum, students are still required to complete a minimum number of DNP project experience hours to meet minimum competency requirements for graduation.
Postbaccalaureate Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) Programs 
