The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Doctor of Nursing Practice–Nurse Anesthesia Emphasis is a Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA)-accredited BSN-to-DNP pathway with a 36-month, 90-credit curriculum that integrates evidence-based practice, advanced anesthesia coursework, simulation, and supervised clinical experience to prepare graduates for eligibility to sit for the National Certification Examination. Cohorts are intentionally small (typically 15–20 students) and the program combines primarily online DNP coursework with in-person nurse anesthesia instruction to support both academic and clinical development.

Degree Type

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Program Length

36 months, full-time

The program includes didactic coursework, simulation training, and clinical experiences.

Credit Hours

90 semester hours

Credits encompass courses in advanced practice nursing, anesthesia principles, and clinical rotations.

Starting Month

Summer

Orientation and foundational coursework begin during the summer term.

Application Deadline

December 1

All application materials must be received by December 1 for admission to the following summer start term.

Program Requirements

• Educational Background: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from a regionally accredited nursing program accredited by the National League for Nursing (NLNAC), Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
• Licensure:
  • Current, unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license in Wisconsin.
• Experience:
  • Minimum of one year of current, continuous, full-time (or part-time equivalent) critical care experience as a registered nurse by the application deadline.
  • Two years of critical care experience is preferred.
  • Qualifying critical care settings include surgical ICU, cardiothoracic ICU, coronary ICU, medical ICU, pediatric ICU, and neonatal ICU.
• Academic Performance: Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Certifications:
  • Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) certification (required)
  • Basic Life Support (BLS)
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• Prerequisite Coursework:
  • 8 credits of Anatomy and Physiology
  • 8 credits of Inorganic and Organic Chemistry
  • 3–4 credits of Microbiology
  • 3–4 credits of Pharmacology
• Professional References:
  • Nursing unit supervisor
  • Faculty member or instructor from a college or university
  • CRNA (or anesthesiologist if a CRNA is not available) from a shadowing experience

Additional Program Features

• Clinical Rotations: Diverse clinical placements provide hands-on training in anesthesia care across a wide range of patient populations and procedures. Clinical sites represent multiple anesthesia care delivery models and include both urban and rural settings.
• Simulation Training: State-of-the-art simulation facilities prepare students for complex clinical scenarios.
• Leadership Development: The curriculum integrates healthcare policy, ethics, and leadership training to prepare graduates for advanced practice roles.

Contact

Nurse Anesthesia Emphasis

Phone: (920) 424-1077

Email: NURanesthesia@uwosh.edu

Graduate Nursing Office

Phone: (920) 424-2106

Email: congrad@uwosh.edu

Address: University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh College of Nursing, Clow Social Science Center, Room C230, 800 Algoma Blvd, Oshkosh, WI 54901