Doctor of Nursing Practice Nursing Practice with a Concentration in Nurse Anesthesia (DNP)

Doctor of Nursing Practice - Nurse Anesthesia

Adrienne Hartgerink, Program Director, ahartger@odu.edu

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with a concentration in nurse anesthesia prepares the graduate to provide a variety of anesthetics to patients across the lifespan and wellness continuum. Graduates are groomed to translate research and evidence into clinical practice, to care for underserved and diverse populations, incorporate emerging care technologies, develop leadership skills and measure patient outcomes in an effort to improve safety and quality of patient care.

The Old Dominion University DNP program with a concentration in nurse anesthesia is a 36 month full time program that begins in May each year. The program is a hybrid of on-campus and on-line classes. The curriculum is an assimilation of nurse anesthesia specialty and DNP courses. Each student is required to complete a scholarly project that addresses patient care, quality improvement, process improvement, or practice improvement. The Nurse Anesthesia program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation for Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs. For admission requirements, please see the website for the School of Nursing (www.odu.edu/nursing) or contact the program director.

Admission Requirements for the Nurse Anesthesia Program

In addition to meeting University requirements, applicants must meet the admission criteria below..

1. Current, unencumbered multi-state compact license as a registered nurse (RN).
2. Baccalaureate degree in nursing from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum of a 3.0 grade point average.
3. Three letters of recommendation, with at least one from a direct supervisor. 
4. A 500-700 word essay that should speak specifically to the concentration area to which you are applying.
5. Critical Care Registered Nurse Certification
6. Current certifications in BLS, ACLS, and PALS
7. A minimum of 16 hours of clinical shadowing experience
8. Current Resume with at least one year of full-time employment in the intensive care unit (2080 hours) within the last 2 years
9. If English is not your native language, TOEFL scores (100 or above)
10. Earned grade of B or better in the following courses:
    • Anatomy & Physiology
    • Organic or biochemistry (200 level or above)
    • Statistics
    • Pathophysiology
    • Pharmacology
    • *Please note chemistry and statistics classes must be completed within the last 10 years

Application Deadline 

Nurse Anesthesia - July 15

Curriculum Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
NURS 709	Evidence-Based Research for Nursing Practice	3
NURA 745	Applied Chemistry and Physics for Nurse Anesthetists	2
NURA 753	Advanced Pharmacology for Nurse Anesthesia Practice	3
NURA 760	Evidence Based Seminar for Anesthesia Practice	1
NURS 761	Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nursing	3
NURS 771	Physical Assessment for Advanced Nursing Practice	3
NURS 800	Integrative Concepts for Advanced Nursing Practice Roles	3
NURS 801	Roles and Responsibilities for Transforming Practice	3
NURS 802	The Business of Advanced Nursing Practice	3
NURS 803	Leadership and Interprofessional Practice in Healthcare	3
NURS 805	Application of Practice-Based Research Methods	2
NURS 806	Proposal Development and Database Management	4
NURS 807	Informatics and Healthcare Technology	3
NURS 809	Advocacy for Healthcare Public Policy for Advanced Practice	3
NURA 836	Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology for Nurse Anesthesia I	3
NURA 837	Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology for Nurse Anesthesia II	3
NURA 838	Professional Aspects for Anesthesia	1
NURA 841	Principles of Anesthesia Practice I	4
NURA 842	Principles of Anesthesia Practice II	4
NURA 843	Principles of Anesthesia Practice III	4
NURA 844	Principles of Anesthesia Practice IV	1
NURA 845	Principles of Anesthesia Practice V	1
NURA 846	Principles of Anesthesia Practice VI	1
NURA 847	Principles of Anesthesia Practice VII	1
NURA 848	Principles of Anesthesia Practice VIII	1
NURA 853	Nurse Anesthesia Practicum: Orientation for Clinical Anesthesia	2
NURA 854	Nurse Anesthesia Practicum I	3
NURA 855	Nurse Anesthesia Practicum II	4
NURA 856	Nurse Anesthesia Practicum III	4
NURA 857	Nurse Anesthesia Practicum IV	4
NURA 858	Nurse Anesthesia Practicum V	4
NURA 859	Nurse Anesthesia Practicum VI	3
NURS 865	DNP Clinical Practicum I	2
NURS 866	DNP Clinical Practicum II	2
NURS 867	DNP Clinical Practicum III	3
NURS 868	DNP Clinical Practicum IV	3
NURS 890	DNP Nursing Capstone	3
Total Credit Hours		100