Degree Type

Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP)

The Entry Level Program at Integrated Anesthesia Associates’ Nurse Anesthesia Program of Hartford (IAA NAPH) is a full-time, 36-month practice doctoral program that enables critical care registered nurses to become Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). The program is conducted through an academic affiliation with Central Connecticut State University (CCSU), which grants the DNAP degree. IAA provides experienced CRNA and anesthesiologist faculty, combining rigorous academic instruction with extensive clinical training across multiple hospital sites.

Program Length

• Duration: 36 months, full-time.

Credit Hours

• Total Credit Hours: Not specified by program; follows CCSU DNAP curriculum.

Starting Month

May

Each new cohort begins in May at Central Connecticut State University.

Application Deadlines

Application Period: Early Decision applications are due by June 1 each year for the following May start. Standard applications are due by September 1 each year. Interviews are conducted from July through September, with acceptance decisions made by mid-October.

Program Requirements

• Educational Background:
  • Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing (BSN) or in another science (biology, chemistry, etc.) from an accredited institution deemed appropriate by the Admissions Committee.
  • Prerequisite science courses must be completed with a grade of B or better:
    • Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II (two 4-credit courses) — within 8 years.
    • Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry (one 4-credit course) — within 8 years.
    • Inorganic or General Chemistry (one 4-credit course) — within 10 years.
    • Pharmacology — within 10 years.
    • Biostatistics or Statistics — within 10 years.
  • Science GPA (A&P I & II, two Chemistry courses, Pharmacology) must be 3.3 or greater to be considered.
• Licensure:
  • Current unencumbered RN license in one of the fifty U.S. states and eligibility for Connecticut RN licensure (Connecticut license required prior to matriculation).
• Experience:
  • Minimum of 18 months of full-time critical care nursing experience (excluding orientation) at the time of the application deadline.
  • Experience must involve managing ventilators, invasive hemodynamic monitoring (arterial and pulmonary artery catheters), vasoactive IV infusions, and critically ill patients.
  • Preferred ICU settings: Surgical/Trauma ICU, Cardiothoracic ICU, Neurosurgical/Neuro Trauma ICU, Pediatric ICU, or Medical ICU.
  • Emergency Department, Neonatal ICU, and PACU experience are not accepted.
• Academic Performance:
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all undergraduate coursework.
  • Early Decision applicants must have a GPA greater than 3.7.
• Certifications:
  • Current Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certifications.
  • Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) certification — exam score breakdown must be submitted with application.
• Letters of Recommendation:
  • Three professional references:
    • Current ICU supervisor
    • ICU nurse educator or preceptor
    • Peer (nurse, advanced practice provider, or physician) familiar with clinical skills and professionalism
• Additional Requirements:
  • Professional goal statement (maximum 300 words).
  • Minimum of one full shadow day with a CRNA preferred.
  • Completed application and $150 application fee payable to Integrated Anesthesia Associates.
  • International applicants must submit additional documentation to CCSU Graduate Admissions.

Additional Program Features

• Accreditation: Accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). Academic degree granted by Central Connecticut State University, accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
• Clinical Experience: Clinical phase offered at Hartford Hospital, Bone and Joint Institute, The Hospital of Central Connecticut, St. Vincent’s Medical Center, Midstate Medical Center, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, and the Connecticut Children’s Ambulatory Surgery Center. Students complete over 800 anesthesia cases and more than 2,500 clinical hours.
• Simulation Training: Incorporates high-fidelity simulation labs and clinical conferences, with some sessions held during evenings and weekends.

Contact

Integrated Anesthesia Associates – Nurse Anesthesia Program of Hartford (IAA NAPH)

Address: 100 Retreat Avenue,
Hartford, CT 06106, USA

Phone: (860) 284-5581

Email: nurseanesthesia@iaapartners.com