The Duke University Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) — Nurse Anesthesia Program is a full-time, 36-month track through the Duke University School of Nursing that prepares registered nurses for advanced anesthesia practice and eligibility to sit for the National Certification Examination. Accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), the curriculum integrates rigorous didactic coursework, high-fidelity simulation, and early clinical immersion within Duke University Health System and affiliated regional sites. Students progress through a structured sequence of anesthesia sciences, evidence-based practice, professional leadership, and interprofessional collaboration while gaining hands-on experience across complex perioperative settings, including tertiary/quaternary care, obstetric, pediatric, and specialty anesthesia services. The program is known for its selective admissions and small cohort structure, fostering close faculty mentorship and strong preparation for future CRNA roles.

Degree Type

Doctor of Nursing Practice, Post-Master’s Certificate.

Program Length

36 months, full time

Credit Hours

85 semester hours

Starting Month

August

Application Deadline

February

Program Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Nursing is required.

Current licensure or eligibility for licensure as a nurse in North Carolina.

Minimum of 1 year (with 2 years preferred) continuous full-time acute care experience as a registered nurse in a critical care setting prior to interviewing for the program. Experience should involve the following skills: Independent decision making, Interpretation of advanced monitoring techniques, Caring for ventilated patients, and Pharmacologic hemodynamic management. Experience areas preferred: Surgical ICU, Medical ICU, Cardiac ICU, Neuro ICU, Pediatric or Neonatal ICU. Experiences considered: ICU step-down or transitional areas, Post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), Operating Room, or Emergency Room. Not acceptable: Radiology, Cath lab, or Flight team.

A cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

GRE scores need to be taken within five year and should be available before the application deadline.

Required certifications: BLS (Basic Life Support), ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support), PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support), and CCRN (Critical Care Registered Nurse) is not required but strongly encouraged.

Undergraduate statistics course: must include descriptive and inferential stats.

Proven undergraduate success in all major science classes.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to shadow a CRNA.

Contact

ph: (919) 684-9347
email: [email protected]
web: www.duke.edu