Nurse Anesthesiology DNP Specialty

DNP Program

Nurse Anesthesiology Specialty

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Program Description

The Nurse Anesthesiology Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) specialty prepares experienced bachelors prepared Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurses to provide anesthesia and pain management, utilizing current evidence based practice. The rigorous program incorporates clinical expertise and builds on existing scientific foundations. Simulation lab experiences, clinical rotations and scholarly work will provide practice experience to ensure the safety, comfort, and quality the nurse anesthesiology profession is recognized for. During the perioperative period you will care for patients across the lifespan.

The Nurse Anesthesiology DNP program is a 3 year fulltime hybrid program utilizing a mixture of online didactic coursework, on-campus intensives, and on-site clinical residencies. It is a practice-focused doctoral program emphasizing innovative, evidence-based professional conduct that manifests as the application and implementation of credible research findings into clinical practice. In addition, those enrolled in the nurse anesthesiology program of study receive a broad didactic foundation to prepare them for advanced practice nursing essentials, such as health policy, advanced health assessment, nursing theories, interprofessional collaboration and research methods.   

DNP Program Outcomes

  • Generate and disseminate nursing practice knowledge to stimulate research and improve clinical outcomes
  • Improve health outcomes through scientifically based advanced practice within a specialty
  • Engage in and lead collaborative practice teams
  • Influence clinical practice transformation and policy initiatives

DNP Program Accreditation

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program at The University of Arizona College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The Nurse Anesthesiology Specialty is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs.

Notice

The University of Arizona College of Nursing is not regulated in Texas under Chapter 132 of the Texas Education Code.  To file a complaint or to contact the agencies that regulate the University of Arizona College of Nursing, please find:

  • Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington DC 20001 P: 202-887-6791 www.aacnnursing.org/ccne-accreditation
  • Arizona Board of Nursing 1740 W. Adams Street, Suite 2000, Phoenix AZ 85007 P: 602-771-7800 www.azbn.gov
  • Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs 10275 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 906, Rosemont, IL, 60018 P: 224-275-9130 www.coacrna.org

Program Facts

3
Years

Full-time Program Length
(3-4 courses per semester*)

Hybrid

Program Delivery
Online didactic coursework with on-campus requirements for Gross Anatomy, simulation labs, and clinical residency.

86
Credit
Hours

2,250
Clinical
Hours

June
1

Applications Open

August
1

Applications Deadline

120
 Total Number of Nurse Anesthesiology Graduates 
(since start of program)

68 
Nurse Anesthesiology Graduates Employed in AZ
(5/15/2025)

0% 
Attrition Rate in 2025

Since program inception: 6% 
(7 out of 120 withdrew since program inception)  

 Class of 2023Class of 2024Class of 2025
Number of Nurse
Anesthesiology Graduates		181619
Employed100%100%100%
National certification exam
first-time pass rate		88%88%100%

*Course load is approximated and may vary between semesters and years. Residents should consult their academic program guide for a complete course schedule.

DNP-NA Admissions

View Full Admission Requirements

Erin Leigh Galligan


Erin Leigh Galligan, DNP-NA Candidate

"I appreciate that this degree is terminal, which will allow me to one day teach future CRNAs at the collegiate level. Also, the CRNA program starts with a cadaver lab, which is a feature not many CRNA programs offer. We also get to rotate through different clinical sites, affording us the opportunity to experience rural medicine, academic medicine, private practice and independent CRNAs."

Read Student Story

DNP-NA Curriculum

Residents admitted to the DNP-NA program must complete a rigorous curriculum consisting of 86 credit hours, 2,250 clinical hours and 650 anesthetics hours. In addition, residents attend RISE twice and CPI once during their study. Admitted residents should refer to and follow the academic program guide for their cohort year.

DNP-NA Program Guide

Additional Program Options

DNP/PhD Dual Degree

If you are interested in attaining broader advanced clinical practice skills with strong research competencies, consider taking advantage of our dual Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees. You will be prepared at the highest level of nursing science and professional nursing practice, and with advanced skills for engaging in research to create, apply and translate new knowledge to improve health care – in practice domains and/or academia.

Learn More

Rural Health Professions Program

The Rural Health Professions Program (RHPP) is an innovative program to create a community of doctorally-prepared advanced practice registered nurses who have didactic and clinical expertise in providing care to rural and medically underserved patients and will serve as leaders in improving the quality and access to care for these patients. RHPP scholars complete additional coursework that focuses on the care of rural and medically underserved populations.

Learn More

View All Program Options

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Frequently Asked Questions

For more information about this DNP specialty or applying to the DNP program, please contact:

Layla Salazar
Enrollment Coordinator, Doctoral Programs
Email: CON-OSAA@arizona.edu
Phone: 520-621-1860

See the Costs & Financial Aid page for cost estimates.

Students are assigned clinical sites in coordination with clinical coordinators and the program administrator. Students may be required to travel to a different geographic area if a suitable preceptor cannot be found.

No elective courses are required for this DNP specialty. Students may elect to take additional courses to meet their needs and interests but should first consult their faculty advisor.

Consider attending a virtual information session hosted by the College of Nursing for all specialties EXCEPT Nurse Anesthesia. You will have the opportunity to meet the program team and select members of the faculty as well as ask questions about the program and admissions process. Registration is required and the session is conducted via Zoom.

The DNP program holds multiple information sessions throughout the year. If you are unable to attend a currently scheduled session, check back soon for the next available session or fill out the Request Information form on this page to have program details delivered to your inbox.

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Ready to take the next step?

See the full admissions requirements and application process on the DNP Admissions page.

DNP Admissions

Accreditation

The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at The University of Arizona College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

The University of Arizona Nurse Anesthesiology program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs. 10275 W Higgins Rd, Suite 906, Rosemont, IL 60018-5603; 224-275-9130. The program's next review by the COA is scheduled for May 2031.

Nurse Anesthesiology Program Administration

Kristie Hoch
Associate Clinical Professor

Christopher Herring
Assistant Clinical Professor

Interim DNP Program Director

Lindsay Ann Bouchard
Assistant Clinical Professor