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.
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.
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
School
Duration
36-months
Required Credit Hours
92
More DNAP Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions specific to the DNAP program
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
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."
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
Rangos School of Health Sciences
Bridget Calhoun, DrPH, MPH, BS
Rangos School of Health Sciences
Deborah Davison, DNAP, MS, CRNA, BSN, RN
Allegheny School of Anesthesia
Sister Rosemary Donley, PhD, APRN-BC, FAAN
School of Nursing
Manjulata Evatt, DNP, RN, CMSRN
School of Nursing
Catherine Johnson, PhD, FNP, PNP
School of Nursing
Mary Kay Loughran, DNP, MHA, RN
School of Nursing
Denise Lucas, PhD, FNP-BC, CRNP, FAANP
School of Nursing
Michael Neft, PhD, DNP, MHA, RN, CRNA, FNAP, FAANA, FAAN
School of Nursing
Melanie Turk, PhD, RN
School of Nursing
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/