Degree Type

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – Nurse Anesthesia Concentration

The DNP Nurse Anesthesia Concentration at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) prepares registered nurses to become Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). The program integrates advanced clinical practice, leadership, and evidence-based research to prepare students to deliver safe, ethical, and high-quality anesthesia care in a variety of healthcare settings.

Program Length

• Duration: 36 months, full-time

This is an intensive, full-time doctoral program combining advanced academic coursework, high-fidelity simulation training, and clinical anesthesia practice at affiliated hospitals in Tennessee and Mississippi.

Credit Hours

• Total Credit Hours: 85 semester hours

Starting Month

May

The DNP Nurse Anesthesia cohort begins each May, with foundational science and theory courses in the first semester followed by progressive immersion into clinical training.

Application Deadline

Deadline: Second Friday of April

The online application opens in mid-January each year. Applicants are encouraged to apply early due to competitive admission and limited cohort size. Face-to-face interviews are conducted in June, and admission decisions are released within two to four weeks following interviews.

Program Requirements

• Educational Background:
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from an NLN- or CCNE-accredited program and a regionally accredited university.
• Licensure:
  • Current, unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license in Tennessee or in a state participating in the eNLC compact with multistate privileges.
• Experience:
  • Minimum of two years of full-time critical care nursing experience completed by August prior to the program start date and within five years of enrollment.
  • Accepted critical care experience includes: Medical ICU, Surgical ICU, Postoperative Cardiovascular Unit, Pediatric ICU, Neonatal ICU, or Coronary Care Unit (CCU).
  • Not accepted: Emergency Room (ER) or Operating Room (OR).
  • Experience must demonstrate expertise in invasive monitoring, mechanical ventilation, vasoactive infusions, EKG interpretation, and the application of hemodynamic values to patient care.
• Academic Performance:
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from all undergraduate coursework.
  • Minimum science GPA of 3.26 or higher is preferred.
• Certifications:
  • Basic Life Support (BLS)
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) — not required at the time of application but must be completed by January following acceptance.
  • CCRN certification is strongly recommended prior to application but not required.
• Testing Requirements:
  • The GRE and MAT are not required for admission.
• Prerequisite Coursework:
  • Three-credit undergraduate or graduate statistics course completed within the last five years with a grade of “B” or better.
• Application Materials:
  • Three professional recommendations, including one from a current or recent supervisor familiar with clinical performance.
  • Personal statement outlining professional goals and motivation to become a CRNA.
  • Current résumé or Curriculum Vitae (CV) detailing education, certifications, and clinical experience.
  • Official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended.
  • Completion of a critical care experience verification form.
• Interview Process:
  • Applicants selected for interviews are notified in May, and interviews are conducted in June. Final admission decisions are emailed two to four weeks later.
  • Accepted candidates must submit a $1,000 non-refundable matriculation fee to secure their seat in the program, which is applied toward first-semester tuition.

Program Overview

The DNP Nurse Anesthesia Concentration at UTC combines academic rigor with extensive clinical experience. Students in the program complete coursework in advanced physiology, pathophysiology, chemistry, pharmacology, and evidence-based practice, followed by hands-on training in simulation labs and clinical anesthesia environments.

Students can choose between two clinical sites: Chattanooga, Tennessee, or Tupelo, Mississippi. Tupelo-based students complete semesters two and three in Chattanooga and then return to Tupelo for the final two years of coursework and clinical practicum, with didactic content delivered via distance learning technologies.

Throughout the program, students develop leadership competencies, clinical judgment, and patient safety expertise necessary for autonomous practice as nurse anesthetists in diverse healthcare systems.

Additional Program Features

• Accreditation: The DNP Nurse Anesthesia program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).
• Clinical Experience: Students gain experience administering general and regional anesthesia to patients across the lifespan in hospitals and surgical centers.
• Leadership Preparation: Graduates are prepared for roles as clinical experts, educators, and leaders in anesthesia practice and healthcare systems.

Contact

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga – School of Nursing
615 McCallie Avenue
Chattanooga, TN 37403

Phone: (423) 425-5693
Email: Linda-Hill@utc.edu