Degree Type

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Nurse Anesthesia

The DNP program at NorthShore University HealthSystem School of Nurse Anesthesia, in collaboration with DePaul University, prepares registered nurses for advanced practice roles as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). This 36-month, full-time program emphasizes clinical excellence, evidence-based practice, and leadership in nurse anesthesia.

Program Tracks

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

Program Length

• BSN to DNP: 36 months, full-time.

Credit Hours

• BSN to DNP: 110 quarter hours.

Starting Month

September

The program typically begins in September each year.

Application Deadlines

Applications must be received by 11:59 PM ET on May 1 for enrollment in the following year’s September cohort.

In-person interviews are scheduled with eligible applicants in June and July, with admission decisions communicated no later than September 1.

Applications are accepted starting February 1 of the application year.

Program Requirements

• Educational Background:
  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in nursing from a regionally accredited university.
• Licensure:
  • Current, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in Illinois by September 1 of the admission year.
• Experience:
  • Minimum of one year of full-time critical care nursing experience as an RN within the past two years.
• Academic Performance:
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for all coursework and a minimum compiled GPA of 3.5 on the previous 60 hours of college coursework.
• Certifications:
  • Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certifications.
• Prerequisite Coursework:
  • Organic Chemistry (or Biochemistry) must be taken within the last five years.
  • Scientific writing course completed prior to matriculation.
  • College Physics is strongly recommended.

Additional Program Features

• Accreditation: The program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).
• Clinical Experience: Students gain extensive clinical experience across various healthcare settings, developing advanced skills necessary for nurse anesthesia practice.

Contact

NorthShore University HealthSystem School of Nurse Anesthesia

Address: 2650 Ridge Avenue, Room G603, Evanston, IL 60201

Phone: (847) 570-1959

Email: anesthesiaschool@northshore.org