Northwestern State University of Louisiana’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Nurse Anesthesia program is the only nurse anesthesia pathway in the University of Louisiana System and holds full accreditation from the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). The nine-semester curriculum combines advanced clinical education with hands-on simulation and supervised clinical practice to prepare registered nurses for entry into CRNA practice, with applications typically accepted annually for a January start.

Degree Type

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) — Nurse Anesthesia Concentration

The DNP Nurse Anesthesia program at Northwestern State University is the only nurse anesthesia program within the University of Louisiana System. This rigorous full-time doctoral program integrates advanced clinical education with simulation-based learning and hands-on experience to prepare graduates for independent practice as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). Students gain the expertise required to deliver safe, high-quality anesthesia care in surgical, trauma, and pain management settings across diverse patient populations.

Program Length

• Duration: Not specified (typically 36 months), full-time.

Credit Hours

• Total Credit Hours: Not specified.

Starting Month

Not specified

Program start dates vary; applicants should consult the College of Nursing and School of Allied Health for current enrollment periods.

Application Deadlines

Application Period: Not specified. Applicants must submit all required materials, including GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and the Emotional Intelligence assessment before the posted deadline each year.

Program Requirements

• Educational Background:
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from a nationally accredited U.S. college or university.
• Licensure:
  • Current, unencumbered RN license in any state, with eligibility for licensure in Louisiana or a compact state.
• Experience:
  • Minimum of one year of full-time experience as a registered nurse in a critical care setting.
• Academic Performance:
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  • GRE General Test (within 5 years) with a minimum combined verbal and quantitative score of 290 and at least 3.0 on the analytical writing section.
• Certifications:
  • Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications.
• Letters of Recommendation:
  • Three letters of support for graduate admission:
    • One character reference.
    • One from a current supervisor.
    • One from a former faculty member.
• Additional Requirements:
  • Completion of the approved Emotional Intelligence assessment via TalentSmart.
  • Signed attestation of the ability to meet CONSAH Essential Academic Performance and Technical Standards for Didactic and Clinical Settings.
  • Submission of a current curriculum vitae.
  • Submission of a one- to two-page APA-formatted narrative essay describing understanding of the DNP degree, the DNP role (per AACN 2006 Essentials), and its alignment with personal career goals.
  • Completed Work Experience and Technical Skill Proficiency form.
  • Completed Professional Organization Membership, Certification, and Licensure Record form.

Additional Program Features

• Accreditation: Accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).
• Clinical Training: Delivered through simulation and direct clinical practice to ensure proficiency in advanced anesthesia techniques across multiple specialties.
• Program Uniqueness: The only nurse anesthesia program in the University of Louisiana System, emphasizing excellence in anesthesia education for Louisiana’s healthcare needs.

Contact

Northwestern State University — College of Nursing and School of Allied Health (CONSAH)

Address: 1800 Line Avenue,
Shreveport, LA 71101, USA

Phone: (318) 677-3072

Email: conahs@nsula.edu