Degree Type

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Nurse Anesthesia

The DNP Nurse Anesthesia program at Rush University prepares registered nurses to become Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) who are leaders in evidence-based clinical practice, patient safety, and healthcare innovation. The program integrates advanced science, clinical reasoning, and leadership to prepare graduates to deliver high-quality anesthesia care across diverse healthcare settings.

Program Tracks

• BSN to DNP: Designed for registered nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) who wish to pursue advanced practice certification as CRNAs.

Program Length

• BSN to DNP: 36 months (full-time)

Credit Hours

• BSN to DNP: 89 term hours

Starting Month

September

Cohorts begin each fall semester.

Application Deadline

Applications open February 1 and close May 1 for the following year’s September start.

Program Requirements

• Educational Background:
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited nursing program.
• Licensure:
  • Current, unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license in the United States.
• Experience:
  • Minimum of one year of full-time critical care nursing experience within the past two years. Most successful applicants have 2–3 years of ICU experience in adult intensive care units such as medical, surgical, or cardiovascular ICUs.
• Academic Performance:
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Strong performance in anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and pharmacology is expected.
• Certifications:
  • Basic Life Support (BLS)
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
  • Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) certification is recommended but not required.
• Prerequisite Coursework:
  • Completion of an undergraduate or graduate-level statistics course.

Program Overview

The Rush University DNP Nurse Anesthesia program emphasizes leadership, advanced clinical training, and scholarly inquiry. Students develop a deep understanding of physiology, pathophysiology, chemistry, pharmacology, and anesthesia principles. The curriculum includes didactic instruction, simulation-based learning, and immersive clinical rotations that progress in complexity throughout the program.

Clinical education is conducted in Rush University Medical Center’s nationally ranked hospitals and through partnerships with over 25 affiliated clinical sites. Students gain hands-on experience across various specialties, including general surgery, obstetrics, pediatrics, neurosurgery, cardiovascular anesthesia, and trauma. The program culminates in a DNP project that integrates research and clinical practice to improve anesthesia outcomes and patient safety.

Additional Program Features

• National Recognition: Rush University’s College of Nursing consistently ranks among the top DNP programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
• Interprofessional Learning: Students collaborate with peers in medicine, pharmacy, and allied health disciplines to enhance team-based patient care.
• Leadership Development: The program trains graduates to take on roles in education, policy, and healthcare leadership in addition to clinical anesthesia practice.

Contact

Rush University College of Nursing
600 S. Paulina Street, Armour Academic Center, #1034
Chicago, IL 60612

Phone: (312) 942-7100
Email: elizabeth_m_miranda@rush.edu