Take your career further

The D.N.P./NA completion degree is an online post-masters Doctorate in Nursing Practice with a focus in nurse anesthesia. This degree is available to Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) holding a master’s degree in anesthesia or CRNAs with a master’s degree in nursing. 

A U N E student practices giving a patient simulator anesthesia

Earn Your D.N.P. at Maine’s Leading Health University

É«ÏãÊÓƵ’s Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia program produces highly-skilled, well-rounded D.N.P.s with extensive experience in every category of medical procedure in which anesthesia is necessary. You will graduate with research experience as well as vast knowledge of health care systems, special patient populations, and health care policy — all of which equip you to pursue a range of professional avenues, including clinical practitioner, business owner, independent contractor, chief nurse anesthetist, researcher, educator, or an executive-level administrator.

The D.N.P. Completion Program Experience

The program begins in the fall semester and extends over five semesters. The coursework is only offered during the stated semesters.

Curriculum

Year 1

Fall 2024
Course Credits
ANE 720 Leadership in Advanced Practice Nursing and the Evolving Healthcare System 3
ANE 722 Epidemiology, Population Health, and Prevention 3
Spring 2025
Course Credits
ANE 726 Translational Research and Evidence-based Practice 3
ANE 723 Using Informatics to Improve Healthcare Quality and Safety 3
Year 1 Total Credits 12

Year 2

Summer 2025
Course Credits
ANE 727 Introduction to Scholarly Project I 2
ANE 744 Advances in Pharmacology 3
Fall 2025
Course Credits

ANE 719 Economics, Ethics, and Healthcare Policy

3

ANE 729 DNP Scholarly Project II

2
Spring 2025
Course Credits
ANE 730 DNP Scholarly Project Ill 1
ANE 746 Pathophysiology and Chronic Pain Management 2
ANE 748 Human Factors and Patient Safety for Nurse Anesthetists 3
Year 2 Total Credit Hours 16
Total Credits 28

Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Management

A graduate certificate in Healthcare Management can be obtained by taking two additional online courses in the College of Professional Studies.

  • HCA 601 Introduction to Health Administration
  • HCA 765 Communication for Healthcare Leaders

Application Process

All applicants should apply through the beginning January 15, 2024. The application period will extend through August 1, 2024.

Application Requirements

  • Application with application fee
  • Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended including nurse anesthesia program transcript
  • CV/Resume

Degree Requirements

  • Evidence of graduation from a COA-accredited nurse anesthesia program with a Master's degree
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 in the nurse anesthesia program

Licenses and Certifications

  • Proof of current certification or recertification as a CRNA
  • Current, unencumbered RN and APRN license
  • Proof of current AANA membership
  • Current ACLS, BLS, PALS certifications

Letters of Reference

Two professional references

  • One from a current supervisor addressing practice verification
  • One from an educator addressing potential tor academic success

Essay

The online application will provide a specific writing prompt.

Interview

Interviews are a required part of the application process.

  • Highly qualified applicants will be contacted and invited to interview during the spring/summer months, prior to the fall start of the Nurse Anesthesia program.
  • Interviews are done by invitation only.
  • Interviews will be conducted via phone or zoom and scheduled through the Office of Graduate Admissions and Recruitment.

Other Requirements

Satisfactory completion of a criminal background check.

Policy Exceptions

Policies have been established to ensure fair and consistent admissions practice for all applicants.

All criteria presented in this summary are subject to change per professional accreditation requirements, changes in curriculum and/or other institutional standards, and clinical affiliation requirements.

Exceptions to existing admission policies are rare and made only when it is deemed necessary and appropriate to maintain fair and consistent practice for all candidates, not individual candidates.

Accreditation

The School of Nurse Anesthesia is accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA) of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education. The School of Nurse Anesthesia is accredited by COA through the fall of 2031. The program received the maximum 10-year accreditation length in the fall of 2021.

The COA of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs recognizes the program for providing a graduate-level curriculum leading to the award of a Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) degree. The proposed date of implementation of this degree offering is August 2024.

COA Contact

Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA)
10275 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 906
Rosemont, IL 60018-5603
(224) 275-9130