Nursing (DNP): Nurse Anesthesia

Degree Requirements Degree Works

Note: Degree requirements effective for enrolled students beginning Fall 2023. All enrolled students, including matriculating students prior to Fall 2023, can review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion with our degree audit and advisement tool, Degree Works.

Completed applications are due in the graduate office by Feb. 1.

• All graduate students admitted to the DNP NA program must reside in Pennsylvania prior to the start of the program in Year 1 per SARA (State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements) Regulation.
• Online graduate school application.
• A baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited school program.
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended.
• GPA requirement of at least 3.2.
• Copy of current, unencumbered Pennsylvania professional nursing license.
• Resume which includes description of professional nursing and clinical experience.
• Documentation of BLS, ACLS, and PALS certification– PALS is required for application but a PA license can be obtained upon acceptance into the program (acceptance contingent upon getting a PA license).
• Narrative describing personal and professional goals for graduate education and Nurse Anesthesia option.
• Three recommendation forms.
• Nurse Anesthesia Pre-requisite Course Form
• Nurse Anesthesia Clinical Experience Form
• Documentation of at least eight hours of shadowing a CRNA, with verification by that individual. 
  • Shadow Experience Form
• At least one year of current full-time critical care experience such as AICU, CCU, PICU, and NICU by application date Feb. 1. (ER, Life Flight, or Recovery Room do not qualify towards critical care experience requirement).
• Documentation of Certification in Critical Care Nursing (CCRN) is mandatory. 

Interviews with the Joint Admissions Committee will be conducted during April.

• American Association of Critical-Care Nurses: Get Certified

• 2024 Class Attrition (number of students) — 0%
• 2024 Certification examination pass rate for first-time takers — 87%
• 2024 Employment of graduates within six months — 100%
• 2024 overall pass rate — TBD

To review previous outcomes, see Nurse Anesthesia MSN program attrition and pass rates.

• Q: Do I need professional experience in order to be admitted?
  A: Yes- Students need at least one year of full-time critical care experience, such as AICU, CCU, PICU, and NICU by the application deadline of February 1. (ER, Life Flight, or Recovery Room do not qualify toward critical care experience requirement.)
• Q: What is considered a critical care area?
  A: 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 (e.g., pulmonary artery, central venous pressure, and arterial catheters), cardiac assist devices, mechanical ventilation, and vasoactive infusions.
• Q: Can you complete the program on a part-time basis?
  A: Students may work during the 1st year; however, full-time study is required for the 2nd and 3rd years in the program.
• Q: How is the program delivered?
  A: Delivered in hybrid format with the 1st year online​ and years 2 and 3 are delivered in-person​ at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville.
• Q: How many credits can I transfer into the program?
  A: Students can transfer a maximum of 9 credits into the nurse anesthesia program after receiving approval from the program director. To receive approval, the applicant is required to submit syllabi with course descriptions and transcript(s) displaying a minimal grade of 'B' received for the course(s) they are interested in transferring.
• Q: Do I need an MSN in order to be considered for admission?
  A: No. Students may apply for admission after completing the BSN and satisfying all other application requirements. (as noted above).