The University of Illinois Chicago’s Nurse Anesthesia Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is a COA-accredited BSN-to-DNP pathway offered through the UIC College of Nursing that prepares registered nurses to deliver the full scope of anesthesia care across diverse clinical populations, with students gaining broad clinical experience at multiple Chicago-area hospitals as arranged by faculty. The program begins each fall, requires applicants to be within commuting distance of the Chicago campus, and reflects UIC’s mission to expand access to advanced anesthesia professionals across Illinois, including underserved communities.

Degree Type

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Nurse Anesthesia

The BSN-to-DNP Nurse Anesthesia program at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) is a full-time, three-year program designed to prepare nurses to deliver the full scope of anesthesia services across diverse patient populations. The curriculum integrates advanced didactic coursework, simulation-based learning, and extensive clinical experiences to ensure graduates are fully qualified to make independent judgments in anesthesia care and collaborate effectively with interprofessional healthcare teams.

Program Length

• Duration: 3 years, full-time.

Credit Hours

• Total Credit Hours: Not specified.

Starting Month

Fall

New cohorts begin in the fall term each academic year.

Application Deadlines

Application Period: Applications are due by November 1 for enrollment in the following fall term.

Program Requirements

• Educational Background:
  • Baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN) from a regionally accredited institution.
• Licensure:
  • Unencumbered RN license to practice professional nursing in the United States.
• Experience:
  • Minimum of two years of current RN experience in a critical care unit within the United States or a U.S. military hospital abroad.
  • Critical care defined as areas where the nurse routinely manages invasive hemodynamic monitors, cardiac assist devices, mechanical ventilation, and vasoactive infusions.
  • Acceptable units include surgical ICU, cardiothoracic ICU, coronary ICU, medical ICU, pediatric ICU, and neonatal ICU; high-acuity tertiary centers preferred.
• Academic Performance:
  • Minimum compiled GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Certifications:
  • Not specified; BLS, ACLS, and PALS typically required prior to clinical phase.
• Letters of Recommendation:
  • Not specified.
• Additional Requirements:
  • Shadow day with a CRNA (form required after completion).

Additional Program Features

• Accreditation: The Nurse Anesthesia DNP program at UIC is approved by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).
• Clinical Experience: Students receive broad clinical exposure across multiple partner hospitals and surgical centers, ensuring competence in managing diverse patient populations.
• Simulation Training: Features the state-of-the-art M. Christine Schwartz Experiential Learning & Simulation Laboratory for advanced anesthesia training and interprofessional learning.

Contact

University of Illinois Chicago — College of Nursing

Address: 845 S. Damen Ave., MC 802,
Chicago, IL 60612, USA

Phone: (312) 996-7800

Email: conapply@uic.edu