Degree Type

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) — Nurse Anesthesiology Specialty

The Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesiology (DNP-NA) program at New Mexico State University (NMSU) prepares registered nurses for advanced practice as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), with a focus on rural health and health disparities. This rigorous three-year, full-time program integrates didactic coursework, high-fidelity simulation, and over 2,400 hours of supervised clinical training to produce expert anesthesia providers equipped to meet critical workforce needs across New Mexico and beyond.

Program Length

• Duration: 3 years (36 months), full-time.

Credit Hours

• Total Credit Hours: 102 credits.

Starting Month

Not specified

Applicants should refer to the NMSU School of Nursing website for details on the next available cohort start date and application timeline.

Application Deadlines

Application Period: Not specified. Applicants are encouraged to apply early as admission is highly competitive and limited to a small cohort of qualified candidates.

Program Requirements

• Educational Background:
  • Baccalaureate or graduate degree in Nursing or a related major from a regionally accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.
  • The nursing program must be accredited by either the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
• Licensure:
  • Unencumbered RN license in the United States, its territories, or protectorates.
• Experience:
  • Minimum of one year of full-time critical care/ICU nursing experience by the application deadline (part-time equivalent considered).
  • Minimum of two years total RN experience in a U.S. hospital by the application deadline.
  • Applicants with prior enrollment in another nurse anesthesia program are not eligible.
• Academic Performance:
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in prior degree coursework.
  • Minimum science GPA of 3.0 with grades of B or higher in the following required science courses:
    • Anatomy
    • Physiology
    • Chemistry
    • Statistics
    • Pharmacology
    • Pathophysiology
  • Biochemistry coursework is recommended but not required.
• Certifications:
  • Valid Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) certification (adult or pediatric).
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Basic Life Support (BLS) certifications required prior to application closure.
• Selection Process:
  • Applications are evaluated on GPA (overall and science), relevant clinical and leadership experience, letters of reference, and professional essay.
  • Top applicants are invited to a virtual interview with NMSU Nurse Anesthesiology faculty via videoconference.

Additional Program Features

• Accreditation: Accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) as of November 9, 2023.
• Clinical Experience: Includes over 2,400 hours of supervised clinical training in both rural and urban healthcare settings, covering all major anesthesia types—general, regional, obstetric, trauma, and pain management.
• Simulation Training: Hands-on learning in high-fidelity simulation operating rooms that replicate real-world anesthesia scenarios.
• Program Emphasis: Rural health, health disparities, and serving underrepresented populations in critical access hospitals and rural medical facilities.
• Faculty & Mentorship: Taught by experienced CRNAs and anesthesia experts with small cohort sizes for individualized attention.
• Financial Value: Competitive tuition rates and financial aid options make this program a high-value pathway to a rewarding CRNA career.

Contact

New Mexico State University — School of Nursing, Nurse Anesthesiology Program

Address: P.O. Box 30001 MSC 3185,
Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA

Phone: Not specified

Email: cbeau@nmsu.edu