Degree Type

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) — Nurse Anesthesia

The Millikin University Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Nurse Anesthesia program, offered in partnership with Decatur Memorial Hospital (DMH), is a 36-month, full-time hybrid doctoral program that prepares registered nurses for advanced practice as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). The program emphasizes leadership, clinical expertise, and evidence-based anesthesia care while developing practitioners capable of managing anesthesia in complex and high-acuity environments. Graduates are prepared to meet the growing national demand for anesthesia providers and serve as clinical leaders within multidisciplinary healthcare teams.

Program Tracks

• BSN to DNP: Designed for registered nurses holding a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) who seek to become Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs).

Program Length

• 36 months (full-time)

Credit Hours

• 88 total credit hours

Start Date

January (program begins mid-January each year)

Application Timeline

• Application Opens: August 8
• Application Deadline: January 15
• Interviews are typically conducted in late winter for the following January cohort.

Program Overview

The Millikin DNP Nurse Anesthesia program integrates advanced coursework, simulation-based learning, and extensive clinical practice. Students receive comprehensive instruction in anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, chemistry, and physics as they relate to anesthesia science. The curriculum also includes courses in leadership, healthcare policy, and quality improvement, ensuring graduates possess both clinical mastery and the ability to influence systems-level healthcare change.

Training occurs within Decatur Memorial Hospital’s state-of-the-art simulation center and affiliated clinical sites throughout Illinois and the Midwest. Students develop proficiency in managing anesthesia care across the lifespan for patients undergoing a full range of surgical and diagnostic procedures, including general, regional, obstetric, pediatric, cardiovascular, thoracic, and neurosurgical cases.

Program Requirements

• Educational Background:
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from a nationally accredited nursing program (CCNE or ACEN).
• Licensure:
  • Current, unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license in the U.S.
• Experience:
  • Minimum of one year of full-time experience in an adult intensive care unit (ICU). Two or more years of current ICU experience are preferred.
  • Experience must include management of invasive hemodynamic monitors, ventilators, vasoactive infusions, and critically ill patients.
• Academic Performance:
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Certifications:
  • Current ACLS, PALS, and BLS certifications required prior to matriculation.
• Prerequisite Coursework:
  • Organic chemistry or biochemistry with lab (grade of “B” or higher).
  • Graduate-level statistics course (grade of “B” or higher).
• Additional Requirements:
  • GRE not required.
  • Shadow experience with a CRNA recommended but not mandatory.
  • Strong interpersonal communication and critical-thinking skills are expected, demonstrated through prior clinical performance and references.

Clinical Training

• Clinical practicum begins in the second year of the program and continues through graduation.
• Students exceed national minimum case and hour requirements set by the COA.
• Rotations include a variety of settings, such as:
  • Major tertiary care hospitals
  • Outpatient surgery centers
  • Obstetric and pediatric anesthesia
  • Cardiothoracic and trauma anesthesia
  • Rural and community hospital anesthesia experiences

Program Highlights

• Leadership Development: Coursework in advanced leadership and health systems prepares graduates to advocate for patients, influence policy, and guide interdisciplinary teams.
• Simulation-Based Learning: Advanced simulation labs provide a safe environment to master airway management, crisis response, and anesthesia delivery before entering clinical practice.
• Research and Scholarship: Students complete a scholarly DNP project addressing a real-world issue in anesthesia or perioperative care.
• Interprofessional Education: Collaboration with other health disciplines, including physician assistant, medical, and nursing students, mirrors the realities of clinical teamwork.

Accreditation

• Accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).
• Millikin University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Career Outcomes

• Graduates are eligible to take the National Certification Examination (NCE) administered by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA).
• High job placement rate within six months of graduation.
• Competitive salaries for CRNAs, often exceeding $200,000 annually, depending on region and practice setting.

Contact

Millikin University School of Nursing
1184 W. Main St.
Decatur, IL 62522
Phone: (217) 424-5034

Decatur Memorial Hospital
2300 N. Edward Street
Decatur, IL 62526
Phone: (217) 876-8121