Doctor of Nursing Practice - Nurse Anesthesia Specialization

Northern Kentucky University

Doctoral education starts from the student’s experience, develops through opportunities that are individualized, student-centered and transformational, and culminates in the graduate taking on the role of nursing expert at the highest level of autonomous advanced nursing practice. Doctoral learning includes opportunities for the improvement of health outcomes across diverse populations based on the best evidence. The students and faculty promote academic excellence, professionalism, integrity, and inclusiveness within the advanced nursing community through shared responsibility, interprofessional collaboration, teamwork, and mentoring relationships. This individualized student-centered learning takes place in a scholarly community grounded in standards for rigor, the nursing imperative of caring, and a plurality of voices.

The Post-Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is a fully online 20-22-month curriculum offered in 7-week course format. The Practicum project course is offered over 16 weeks. Students complete courses in evidence-based practice, leadership, health quality and safety initiatives, program planning and evaluation, finance of health care, and informatics. Completion of practicum activities and a scholarly project are required for graduation. Graduates of the program are prepared for leadership roles in management of quality initiatives, executives in healthcare organizations, directors of clinical programs, advocacy/health policy, and faculty roles.

Students must achieve a ''B'' or better in all courses in the Post-Master’s DNP program. The ''B-'' is not considered a passing grade in a Post-Master’s DNP graduate course. If a grade of ''B-'' or less is earned, the student is required to retake the course, whereas a grade of ''B'' or higher is required.

The Nurse Anesthesia Program (NAP) is a specialization of the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. It is offered in an in-person format. The program as designed, is a 36-month (106 credit hours) curriculum culminating in a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) nurse anesthesia specialization with a population focus of the family/individual across a lifespan. Graduates will be eligible for the National Board of Certification and Re-certification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) National Certification Exam (NCE) and to assume the role of an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). Accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).

The NAP offers two pathways to the DNP with a nurse anesthesia specialization: BSN to DNP and MS to DNP. The BSN to DNP student will complete the entire 106 credit program, whereas the master’s prepared CRNA would complete the MS to DNP pathway which is composed only of the advanced nursing practice core, which totals 37 credits. The master’s prepared CRNA would be given advanced standing for all anesthesia specialty course work.

Students must achieve a ''B'' or better in all courses in the DNP Nurse Anesthesia graduate program. The ''B-'' is not considered a passing grade in a graduate course. If a grade of ''B-'' or less is earned, the student is required to retake the course, whereas a grade of ''B'' or higher is required.

College of Health and Human Services