Degree Type

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – Nurse Anesthesia

The DNP program at Fairfield University, in collaboration with Bridgeport Hospital, prepares registered nurses to become Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). The curriculum focuses on advanced clinical practice, leadership, and evidence-based care, ensuring graduates are equipped to provide high-quality anesthesia services across diverse patient populations.

Program Length

• Duration: 36 months, full-time.

Credit Hours

• Total Credit Hours: 100 credits.

Starting Month

May

The program typically begins in May each year.

Application Deadlines

Application Deadline: August 1 for enrollment in the following May cohort.

Program Requirements

• Educational Background:
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from a regionally accredited institution.
• Licensure:
  • Current, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in the United States. An unrestricted Connecticut RN license must be obtained prior to enrollment.
• Experience:
  • Minimum of one year of full-time clinical experience as a registered nurse in a critical care setting.
• Academic Performance:
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Certifications:
  • Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certifications.
• Prerequisite Coursework:
  • Courses in biology, chemistry, microbiology, and college-level mathematics.
• Standardized Test Scores:
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required.

Additional Program Features

• Accreditation: The Nurse Anesthesia program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) through May 2031.
• Clinical Experience: Students gain hands-on experience in various anesthesia techniques, including regional (neuraxial and peripheral block) and general anesthesia, under the supervision of certified registered nurse anesthetists and MD faculty.
• Leadership Preparation: Graduates are prepared to assume leadership roles in healthcare organizations, including executive positions, directors of clinical programs, and university-based faculty positions with a clinical focus.

Contact

Fairfield University – Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing & Health Studies

Address: 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield, CT 06824

Phone: (203) 254-4000

Email: gradadmis@fairfield.edu