Degree Type

Anesthesia Doctorate of Nursing Practice (ADNP)

The ADNP Nurse Anesthesia program at Samuel Merritt University in Oakland, California, prepares experienced critical care registered nurses to become Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). This 27-month, full-time doctoral program integrates advanced clinical anesthesia training, leadership development, and scholarly inquiry. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice, interprofessional collaboration, and patient safety across a variety of anesthesia specialties.

Program Length

• 27 months (full-time)

Credit Hours

• 63 units

Starting Month

September

Application Deadline

Priority deadline: November 1. Applications are accepted through December 1 and may continue until the class is filled (typically by March).

Program Requirements

• Education: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred. RNs with a non-nursing baccalaureate degree will be evaluated individually and may be required to complete additional coursework.
• Licensure: Current California RN license (may be obtained after acceptance into the program).
• Experience: Minimum of one year of full-time ICU nursing experience at the time of interview. Two to three years is preferred.
  • Acceptable: Surgical ICU, Medical ICU, Pediatric ICU, Neonatal ICU.
  • Preferred: Trauma, cardiovascular, or neurosurgical ICU settings.
• Academic Requirements:
  • Minimum cumulative GPA: 3.0 or higher.
  • Minimum last 60 semester or 90 quarter units GPA: 3.4 or higher (average of accepted students: 3.53 cumulative, 3.66 last 60 units).
  • Minimum combined GRE score: 290.
  • Science GPA of 3.0 or higher required.
• Certifications:
  • Required: Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) — can be obtained after acceptance.
  • Recommended: Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) certification.
• Prerequisite Coursework:
  • College-level Chemistry (inorganic, organic, and/or biochemistry content)
  • Statistics
  • Introductory Physics (recommended)
• Shadowing: 1–2 day (minimum 8-hour) clinical observation with a CRNA or anesthesiologist is required before the interview.

Application Components

• Written Submissions: Applicants must complete several essays addressing:
  • Professional experience and motivation for pursuing anesthesia.
  • Continuing education, leadership, and professional development.
  • Reasons for selecting Samuel Merritt University.
• Recommendations: Three peer or supervisor recommendations are required.
• Service/Volunteer Work: Applicants should describe community service or volunteer experience relevant to healthcare.

Interview Process

The program uses a holistic review process. Selected candidates are invited to interview based on academic strength, professional experience, and demonstrated understanding of the CRNA role. The admissions committee may conduct interviews in person or virtually. Not all qualified candidates are interviewed, and not all interviewed candidates are accepted.

Program Overview

The Samuel Merritt University ADNP program emphasizes clinical excellence, leadership, and innovation in anesthesia practice. Students gain hands-on experience in general, regional, and specialty anesthesia through clinical rotations at major medical centers across California. The curriculum integrates simulation training, scholarly projects, and courses in pharmacology, physiology, pathophysiology, and healthcare leadership. Graduates are eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination (NCE) administered by the NBCRNA.

Contact

Samuel Merritt University — Nurse Anesthesia Program
3100 Summit Street, 3rd Floor
Oakland, CA 94609

Phone: (510) 869-8926
Email: cvillanueva@samuelmerritt.edu
Web: www.samuelmerritt.edu