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