Degree Type

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) — Nurse Anesthesia

The Ohio University–OhioHealth Grant Medical Center Nurse Anesthesia BSN to DNP program is a competitive and selective doctoral pathway that prepares registered nurses to become Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). Through an innovative academic and clinical partnership, the program emphasizes excellence in patient care, professionalism, and advanced clinical competency. Graduates are prepared to provide safe, high-quality anesthesia across diverse settings, preserving patient dignity while advancing the nurse anesthesia specialty.

Program Length

• Duration: Approximately 36 months (full-time).

Credit Hours

• Total Credit Hours: Not specified (meets or exceeds COA requirements).

Starting Month

Fall Semester

Application Deadlines

Application Deadline (Fall 2026 Cohort): December 8, 2025 (end of business day). All materials must be completed by December 12, 2025.

Program Requirements

• Educational Background:
  • Baccalaureate degree in Nursing from a regionally accredited institution.
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.20 across all undergraduate transcripts.
• Licensure:
  • Evidence of current and unrestricted license as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the U.S.
  • Eligibility for practice in the state of Ohio.
• Experience:
  • At least two years of full-time RN experience within the past five years.
  • Minimum of one year of full-time experience (or its part-time equivalent) as an RN in an Intensive Care Unit within the past three years by the application deadline.
• Certifications:
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification required.
  • Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) certification required by application deadline.
• Academic & Professional Materials:
  • Three letters of recommendation (minimum two from graduate-prepared professionals; at least one from an APRN or RN).
  • Professional resume detailing education, work experience, certifications, and memberships.
  • Professional Goals Statement (APA 7th Edition format, maximum 3 pages), addressing:
    • Which advanced nursing role you wish to pursue and why.
    • Type of setting or population you plan to focus on.
    • Understanding of the CRNA role and scope of practice.
    • Career goals and alignment with the program’s mission.
• Interview: Applicants must successfully complete an interview demonstrating understanding of the nurse anesthetist role and ability to articulate career goals.

How to Apply

• Complete the Ohio Graduate Online Application for Admission via the Ohio University Graduate College portal.
• Request official transcripts from all previous institutions. Transcripts must be sent directly to the Graduate College.
• Submit proof of ACLS and CCRN certifications (copies of certificates with expiration dates).
• Provide RN license number; licensure will be verified by the Graduate College.
• Ensure all materials—including essays, transcripts, recommendations, and certifications—are submitted by the final deadline.

Prior to Program Start

• Proof of immunization, TB screening, and specified health requirements (see Graduate Nursing Student Handbook).
• State and federal background checks free of disqualifying offenses.
• Documentation of compliance with all clearance requirements (OIG, National Sex Offender Registry, etc.).
• Drug screening.
• Payment of $1,000 non-refundable matriculation fee.
• Completion of disclosure and consent forms.

Additional Program Features

• Accreditation: Meets or exceeds the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) standards.
• Clinical Experience: Students administer anesthesia for patients of all ages with various health conditions, participating in elective, emergency, cardiac, OB, pediatric, and trauma procedures.
• Hybrid Learning Format: Coursework is delivered online and face-to-face at the Ohio University Dublin Integrated Education Center and the OhioHealth Grant Medical Center Education Center.
• Simulation Training: Includes advanced anesthesia lab simulations to reinforce critical thinking and procedural competency.
• Clinical Affiliates:
  • OhioHealth Grant Medical Center
  • OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital
  • OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital
  • OhioHealth Doctor’s Hospital
  • OhioHealth Marion General Hospital
  • OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital
  • Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
  • Adena Regional Medical Center
  • Nationwide Children’s Hospital
  • Miami Valley Hospital
  • Upper Valley Medical Center

Program Outcomes

• Graduates earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree.
• Eligibility to sit for the NBCRNA National Certification Examination (NCE) for CRNA credentialing.
• Preparation for leadership, critical care excellence, and advanced anesthesia practice.

Contact

Ohio University – OhioHealth Grant Medical Center Nurse Anesthesia Program

Address: OhioHealth Grant Medical Center Education Center
111 S. Grant Avenue,
Columbus, OH 43215, USA

Phone: (740) 566-6301

Email: onlinegrad@ohio.edu