Marquette University’s College of Nursing in Milwaukee offers a Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA)-accredited Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Nurse Anesthesia Program that spans approximately 36 months of full-time study and integrates advanced didactic coursework, simulation lab experiences, and supervised clinical rotations across Wisconsin clinical sites. Launched as the first doctoral-level nurse anesthesia pathway in southeastern Wisconsin, the program admits a new class each fall and prepares graduates for eligibility to sit for the National Certification Examination for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists.

Degree Type

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

This program provides advanced knowledge and skills in clinical practice, leadership, and evidence-based anesthesia care.

Program Length

36 months, full-time

The program integrates didactic coursework, simulation training, and clinical experiences.

Credit Hours

91 semester hours

Credits include coursework in advanced practice nursing, anesthesia principles, and clinical rotations.

Starting Month

August

Students begin the program in the fall semester.

Application Deadline

January 15

The application period opens September 1 and closes January 15 for fall admission.

Program Requirements

• Educational Background: Baccalaureate or graduate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited college or university.
• Licensure:
  • Current, unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license in the United States.
  • Wisconsin RN license or Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) license required at the time of admission.
• Experience:
  • Minimum of one year, preferably two years, of full-time (or part-time equivalent) critical care experience as a registered nurse, excluding orientation, by the application deadline.
  • Critical care experience must include management of invasive hemodynamic monitoring, mechanical ventilation, vasoactive infusions, or cardiac assist devices.
  • Qualifying settings may include surgical ICU, cardiothoracic ICU, coronary ICU, medical ICU, pediatric ICU, neonatal ICU, or comparable units.
• Academic Performance: Minimum cumulative BSN or MSN GPA and science GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Certifications:
  • Basic Life Support (BLS)
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
• Prerequisite Coursework:
  • Undergraduate coursework in health assessment, nursing research, and statistics (including inferential analysis).
  • Statistics coursework must be completed within five years of program start; approved refresher coursework may be required if outside this timeframe.
• Professional References:
  • Three recommendations from employers or educators familiar with the applicant’s academic and clinical abilities.
  • At least one reference must be from a critical care setting.
• Additional Application Requirements:
  • Official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended.
  • Responses to program-specific essay questions.
  • Virtual synchronous interview by invitation.
  • International applicants must submit proof of English proficiency and credential evaluation, if applicable.

Additional Program Features

• Clinical Rotations: All clinical rotations are located within the state of Wisconsin and reflect a variety of anesthesia delivery models and practice settings.
• Simulation Training: Advanced simulation experiences prepare students for high-acuity clinical scenarios.
• Leadership Development: Coursework emphasizes patient safety, healthcare systems, policy, and leadership within advanced nursing practice.

Contact

Program Director: Jay Tumulak, D.N.P., RN, CRNA, APNP

Phone: (414) 288-7978

Email: jay.tumulak@marquette.edu

Address: Marquette University College of Nursing, David A. Straz, Jr. Hall, 1225 W. Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53233