Degree Type

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Nurse Anesthesia

The Bellarmine University Juneja Nurse Anesthesia Program, named for Dr. Mushtaque Juneja—a Louisville anesthesiologist, entrepreneur, and Bellarmine alumnus—prepares post-BSN students for doctoral-level advanced practice as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). The program emphasizes clinical leadership, patient safety, and evidence-based practice, equipping graduates to improve healthcare systems, outcomes, and quality of care. Upon successful completion, graduates are eligible to sit for the National Certification Exam (NCE) administered by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA).

Program Length

• Duration: 9 semesters over 36 months, full-time.

Credit Hours

• Total Credit Hours: 101 credits.

Starting Month

August

Each cohort begins in August at the start of the fall semester.

Application Deadlines

Application Period: Applications are open annually from August 15 through October 15. All submissions must be verified in NursingCAS by November 1 to be considered. Selected applicants are notified in mid-November, with interviews conducted in early December.

Program Requirements

• Educational Background:
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or higher from a CCNE- or ACEN-accredited nursing program.
  • Official transcripts of all prior undergraduate and graduate coursework submitted directly to NursingCAS.
• Licensure:
  • Unencumbered Registered Nursing License required.
  • Proof of RN licensure in Kentucky and/or compact states required before matriculation.
• Experience:
  • Minimum of one year of recent (within two years) full-time employment—or part-time equivalent—as an RN in a critical care setting.
  • Preference given to applicants currently employed in a high-acuity critical care environment at the time of application and interview.
• Academic Performance:
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0 for undergraduate coursework and 3.5 for any graduate-level work.
• Certifications:
  • Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) certification required; applicants must upload official AACN score report.
  • Current Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certifications required.
• Letters of Recommendation:
  • Three professional letters of reference, including at least one from the applicant’s current employer or direct supervisor.
• Additional Requirements:
  • Personal statement describing career goals and interest in graduate study.
  • Proof of shadowing experience with a CRNA or anesthesiologist (form required).
  • Successful interview with the Nurse Anesthesia Admission Committee for selected applicants.
  • Non-refundable matriculation fee of $1,500 due upon acceptance.
  • Post-acceptance documentation of immunizations, background check, drug screening, and other required clinical documentation.
  • Signed Technical Standards Acknowledgement required prior to coursework and reaffirmed after any leave of absence.
  • Language proficiency required for international applicants (TOEFL iBT ≥83 overall / ≥26 speaking or IELTS ≥7 overall / ≥8 speaking).
  • GRE: Not required.

Additional Program Features

• Accreditation: Accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).
• Program Modality: The first two semesters are online; the final seven semesters are on campus.
• Cohort Size: Approximately 20 students per cohort.
• Clinical Experience: Graduates develop expertise in general and regional anesthesia for diverse surgical procedures and patient populations across the lifespan.
• Leadership & Professional Outcomes: The curriculum emphasizes patient safety, critical thinking, communication, ethical decision-making, and leadership in advanced anesthesia practice.

Contact

Bellarmine University — Juneja Nurse Anesthesia Program

Address: 2001 Newburg Rd,
Louisville, KY 40205, USA

Phone: (502) 272-8000

Email: admissions@bellarmine.edu