Degree Type

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – Nurse Anesthesiology Concentration

The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Michigan State University (MSU) prepares registered nurses to become Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) through an intensive 28-month curriculum emphasizing advanced clinical practice, critical care, research application, and leadership. The program develops expert clinicians capable of providing safe, evidence-based anesthesia care in a wide range of medical and surgical settings.

Program Length

• Duration: 28 months, full-time

This cohort-based program integrates classroom learning, simulation, and clinical practice to ensure comprehensive mastery of anesthesia principles and patient management.

Credit Hours

• Total Credit Hours: 78–82 semester hours

Starting Month

January

The DNP Nurse Anesthesiology concentration begins annually in January, following final admissions decisions made during the summer and fall.

Application Deadline

Deadline: March 15

Applicants are encouraged to submit all required materials early, as admission decisions are competitive and interviews are typically scheduled in the spring. The final submission deadline for all required documentation and forms is June 1.

Program Requirements

• Educational Background:
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited college or university.
  • For MSN-to-DNP candidates: Master’s degree in nursing from a CCNE- or NLNAC-accredited program with current national certification as an advanced practice nurse.
• Licensure:
  • Current, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in Michigan.
  • Licensure must be maintained in all states where clinical placements occur.
• Experience:
  • Minimum of one year of full-time clinical experience in an intensive care unit (ICU) within the past five years; 3–5 years of experience is typical for admitted students.
  • Acceptable critical care settings include Surgical ICU, Medical ICU, Cardiothoracic ICU, and Neuro ICU, where the nurse manages mechanical ventilation, vasoactive infusions, and invasive monitoring.
• Academic Performance:
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; competitive applicants typically have GPAs between 3.3 and 3.8.
  • Strong academic performance in science and quantitative coursework is expected.
• Standardized Test:
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) required; scores must be from within the last 5 years.
  • Competitive GRE scores typically exceed a combined 300 (new scale) or 1000 (old scale).
• Certifications:
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
  • Basic Life Support (BLS)
  • Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) certification or equivalent is required for Nurse Anesthesiology applicants.
• Prerequisite Coursework:
  • Three semester credits of Statistics (undergraduate grade ≥ 2.0 or graduate grade ≥ 3.0) completed within the last 5 years.
  • Completion of prerequisite coursework in Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, and Chemistry is expected.
• Additional Requirements:
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV) or professional résumé.
  • Personal essay outlining career goals and motivations for pursuing advanced practice nursing.
  • Three letters of professional recommendation, including one from a current or former ICU supervisor.
  • Critical Care Experience Verification Form documenting ICU experience.
  • Successful completion of an interview with MSU College of Nursing faculty.
• English Proficiency (for International Applicants):
  • TOEFL scores required if English is not the applicant’s native language (minimum iBT score of 80 or PBT score of 550).

Program Overview

The Michigan State University DNP–Nurse Anesthesiology program combines rigorous scientific study with immersive clinical education. Students begin with foundational courses in advanced physiology, pharmacology, and anesthesia chemistry before transitioning into hands-on clinical residencies. Through simulation training and clinical rotations across Michigan and the Midwest, students gain experience administering anesthesia for surgical, obstetric, pediatric, and emergency procedures.

Throughout the program, students engage in scholarly projects focused on quality improvement, patient safety, and healthcare system innovation. Graduates emerge as expert clinicians and leaders prepared to advance the practice of anesthesia nursing nationwide.

Additional Program Features

• Accreditation: Fully accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). Graduates are eligible to take the National Certification Examination (NCE) to become CRNAs.
• Clinical Experience: Over 2,000 hours of clinical practice under the supervision of CRNAs and anesthesiologists at affiliated hospitals and surgical centers throughout Michigan.
• Leadership and Research Integration: The curriculum includes advanced coursework in leadership, informatics, and evidence-based practice to prepare graduates for both clinical and administrative roles.

Contact

Michigan State University College of Nursing
B601 Clinical Center
East Lansing, MI 48824

Phone: (517) 432-0474
Email: henry.talley@hc.msu.edu