Nurse Anesthesia, DNP
Learn With Experienced Faculty in a Variety of Environments
- Varied clinical experiences to prepare for a career
- Access to state-of-the-art McGurrin Hall laboratories
- Gain over 2,000 hours of experience
What Makes Us Unique?
An expansive classroom experience. Students in the program learn in a state-of-the-art suite of laboratories within McGurrin Hall, bringing the classroom experience to life. Accredited by The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), the program received the maximum accreditation status of ten years from the COA in 2022, reflective of the one-of-a-kind curriculum at Scranton.
Affiliations with more than 20 clinical sites. We have affiliations with numerous clinical agencies in Northeastern Pennsylvania and in southern and upstate New York. At many of our clinical sites, we are the only provider of anesthesia students.
Learn More Today
- Duration 36 months
- Cost per Credit $1,200
- Credit Hours 83
Program Benefits
- Our excellent clinical opportunities are illustrated by the class of 2023, who averaged 864 anesthetic cases.
- Clinical skills are learned in a variety of environments, each of which offers experiences in the anesthetic management of specialized patient populations.
- Students integrate classroom content with direct application of advanced techniques in providing anesthesia care to patients of all ages.
A Comprehensive Program for Aspiring Nurse Anesthetists
Scranton's Nurse Anesthesia DNP is a full-time, rigorous, and comprehensive program that prepares registered nurses to become Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists.
We give students the opportunity to integrate classroom content with direct application of advanced techniques in providing anesthesia care to patients of all ages. Students complete more than 2,000 hours of experience in those varied environments, building a profile to serve patients with varying needs.
The program builds upon itself, as students learn didactic coursework in their first year before advancing to lab and clinical work in their second year. The final year of coursework is clinical-heavy, culminating in a DNP scholarly project and portfolio presentation to show the knowledge each student gains.
Career Outlook: A Specialized Field With Growing Needs
The need for nurse anesthetists is growing, with projections forecasting a 38% increase in employment by 2032. A reflection of their expertise, nurse anesthetists earned an average of $203,090 in 2022, one of the highest salaries for occupations in the nursing field.1
A doctoral degree in nurse anesthesia provides the knowledge, skills and competencies identified by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists and the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs. Nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) administer anesthesia and provide care before, during, and after surgical, therapeutic, diagnostic, and obstetrical procedures, while also providing pain management and some emergency services.
Our program will develop your critical-thinking, leadership and communication skills while challenging you to become more detail-oriented -- preparing you for success as an advanced practice registered nurse.
A Challenging Curriculum to Prepare Qualified Nurses
The degree follows a course sequence with a didactic-heavy start and residency and practicum-heavy finish. Students complete 36 credits in their first year in the program, 26 credits in the second year and 21 credits in the third year. Course topics include pharmacology, research methodology, physiology, and pathophysiology.
The program can be completed in 36 months of full-time study, and there is no part-time option. Most classes and clinical practicums are scheduled during the day, but some evening and weekend classes and clinicals are also required.
CURRICULUMProgram Outcomes:
Upon completion of the degree, you will:
Be prepared to administer all types of anesthesia to diverse populations, including obstetric, pediatric, geriatric and trauma patients, in a variety of clinical settings |
Have a comprehensive understanding of the principles of drug therapy, side effects, drug interactions and general concepts in the selection of pharmaceutical agents |
Possess skills in patient positioning and safety, airway management, use of the anesthesia gas machine, medication administration, and induction sequencing, among others |
Be ready to function in an advanced nursing practice role to improve patient outcomes in a specialty area of practice |
Admission Requirements
To apply for the Nurse Anesthesia DNP, you will need:
| Completed application |
An undergraduate GPA of at least 3.00 or other evidence of ability to complete successfully a graduate program such as grades in other post-baccalaureate courses, scores from national graduate school entrance examinations or a record of progressively higher work experiences |
| Current U.S. unencumbered registered nurse license |
Minimum of one year of critical care nursing experience within five years of application |
| A 300-word statement of intention identifying career goals, demonstrating communication and writing skills |
Two letters of recommendation, preferably from a manager or supervisor, a healthcare provider, or nursing faculty member. Letters should speak to the applicant's ability to be successful in the DNP program, addressing items such as clinical skills, critical thinking, independent decision making, and collaborative skills with other health professionals, nursing leadership, etc. |
|
|
| Critical care certifications (e.g. CCRN, CMC) are strongly recommended, but not required |
Tuition Details
The Nurse Anesthesia DNP consists of 83 credits and costs $1,200 per credit.
We strive to provide you with an affordable, high-quality education. That’s why we’re ranked a Best Value School among Regional Universities in the North by U.S. News & World Report for 2024.
Financial Aid
Financial aid options are available to help you pay for your education. A personal financial aid counselor will assist you in identifying and taking full advantage of all opportunities.
FINANCIAL AID DETAILSFaculty: Mentors to Help You Level Up Your Career
Scranton’s first Nurse Anesthesia cohort graduated in 2022, and while the program might be young, it employs some of the nation’s most qualified faculty and staff. Faculty with extensive professional nursing practice experience and expertise integrate classroom content with advanced techniques in providing anesthesia care.
Our mentoring faculty will help you reach your academic and professional goals, and they’ll work alongside you to assist with personal academic planning throughout the program.
Sources:
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm (visited October 03, 2023).