Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice

Advance your career with a DNAP degree to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). By January 1, 2025, all entry-into-practice graduates of nurse anesthesia educational programs will be required to possess doctoral degrees. We can help you get there.

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Our DNAP program is hybrid by nature. We have created a curriculum that is both in-person and online to ensure you have hand’s on experience while also working with your schedule. The DNAP is cross-disciplinary, with classes in the School of Nursing, Rangos School of Health and in partnership with the Allegheny School of Anesthesia. Our courses, conducted in the Pittsburgh area, place you at the center of a city known for health care innovation and progress. With a multitude of cutting-edge hospitals and research centers, Pittsburgh has become known as the place to be for future leaders in health care.

The DNAP program is a partnership with Allegheny School of Anesthesia's (ASOA) Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice program and Duquesne University and is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).

The three-year (92 credits) DNAP program includes:

  • Nursing and health sciences courses taught by Duquesne faculty
  • Anesthesia courses taught by ASOA faculty
  • Clinical practicums conducted at 18 COA-approved ASOA clinical sites

Upon graduation, you will be eligible for national certification by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).

The Fall 2024 application deadline is January 15, 2024.

Admissions Requirements

You can apply for admission to the DNAP program if you currently:

  • Do not already have CRNA status 
  • Are a licensed RN
  • Hold a BSN or BS degree
  • Have 2 years (minimum) of nursing adult critical care experience 
  • Have completed certain undergraduate science courses

For a full listing and more details see Admissions Requirements.

Ready to Apply?

 

Program Information

The Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice is a 36-month, hybrid program that will prepare you to become a patient-centered, knowledgeable and safe nurse anesthetist. This partnership program with Allegheny School of Anesthesia is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). Comprehensive clinical practicums are conducted in the Pittsburgh area.

Program Type

Major

Degree

Doctorate

Duration

36-months

Required Credit Hours

92

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions specific to the DNAP program

The program consists of 92 credits and will take three years or 36-months (full-time) to complete.
The maximum class size is 25 seats.

A non-refundable $1,000 deposit is required to secure your seat. A non-refundable deposit of $1000 is required to secure your place in the program.

Pay your Deposit
Courses will be delivered in a hybrid format utilizing online learning, face-to-face coursework, extensive laboratory practicums and direct patient experiences.
Allegheny School of Anesthesia, in partnership with Duquesne University, is fully accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).
View the curriculum sheet for more information on our hybrid curriculum.

 

Duquesne Difference

Gain an education focused on caring for the vulnerable

You will develop skills as a professional nurse equipped to meet the dynamic healthcare needs of culturally diverse individuals, families, groups and communities. As a CRNA, you will be a member of healthcare teams and devoted to serving patients across the lifespan. Caring for those most vulnerable and unable to advocate for themselves while under the influence of anesthetic agents connects to the continuing and living mission of Duquesne's School of Nursing.

Learn from faculty who lead by example

Here, your professors and clinical preceptors will challenge you to develop your mind, heart, and spirit. These dedicated teachers and mentors are devoted to the art and science of advanced nursing practice. From these leaders, you will learn ethical, holistic, culturally competent, and collaborative care.

Our DNAP faculty integrate nursing science and evidence-based practice with moral and spiritual values. Following their example of excellence, you can become a local and global leader with a passion for ecumenism and diversity. At Duquesne and Allegheny School of Anesthesia, you and those who teach you will be community partners in the pursuit of inclusion in teaching, learning, scholarship, research, and service.

Participate in Pittsburgh's healthcare network

Here, you'll be at the heart of Pittsburgh's booming healthcare industry. We have connections with Allegheny Health Network (AHN) and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), the two largest healthcare providers in western Pennsylvania, and we also have a network of CRNA opportunities in a wide-range of healthcare settings.

"Being a DNAP student is both rewarding and challenging. The rigorous didactic and clinical experience has provided me with the tools to develop increased confidence as an anesthesia provider. I am certain I will be prepared to work at the completion of the program due to early clinical exposure. The ability to actively apply learned material from the beginning of the program has been extremely beneficial for my education."

Joseph Gabster, current DNAP student

Faculty

Allegheny School of Anesthesia, Duquesne School of Health Sciences and Duquesne School of Nursing Faculty all teach classes for the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice degree.

Anne Burrows, PhD, FAAA

Anne Burrows, PhD, FAAA

Rangos School of Health Sciences

Bridget Calhoun, DrPH, MPH, BS

Bridget Calhoun, DrPH, MPH, BS

Rangos School of Health Sciences

Deborah Davison, DNAP, MS, CRNA, BSN, RN

Deborah Davison, DNAP, MS, CRNA, BSN, RN

Allegheny School of Anesthesia

Melanie Turk, PhD, RN

Melanie Turk, PhD, RN

School of Nursing

Rebecca Vrescak, DNAP, MS, BSN, CRNA

Rebecca Vrescak, DNAP, MS, BSN, CRNA

Allegheny School of Anesthesia

Accreditation

The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) supports doctoral education for entry into nurse anesthesia practice and has mandated that all students in nurse anesthesia programs graduate with a doctoral degree by January 1, 2025. Education at the doctoral level will equip future CRNAs with effective leadership skills necessary to influence healthcare delivery at local, state and national levels.

This program is approved and accredited by the COA.

Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs
10275 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 906
Rosemont, IL  60018-5603
Telephone number:  (847) 655-1160
URL: https://www.coacrna.org/