Doctorate of Nurse Anesthesia Practice DNAP

Program Rationale

The Doctorate of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) program is a practice doctoral degree, which has two specializations. The first specialization is the Entry-level DNAP, designed for bachelor’s prepared licensed registered nurses to become certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) and provide discipline specific preparation in biology and anesthesia; the second specialization is the Advanced DNAP for master’s level practicing certified registered nurse anesthetists to become DNAP-prepared practitioners, and which allows these individuals to expand their background in areas of biology and anesthesia specific to their discipline.

This professional doctoral program provides a strong science background for those students wishing to emphasize the sciences. The program focuses on the use of critical thinking skills and analyses to evaluate clinical practice, health care, and patient safety; it builds on scientific and clinical skills from licensed registered nurse training and on experience as a critical care nurse.  The DNAP prepares CRNAs for positions of leadership and management, patient care, and nurse anesthesia education.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Analyzes best-practice models for nurse anesthesia patient care management through integration of knowledge acquired from arts and sciences within the context of the scope and standards of nurse anesthesia practice.
2. Undertakes complex leadership role and integrate critical and reflective thinking to facilitate intraprofessional and interprofessional collaboration.
3. Uses evidence-based practice in clinical decision making, develop and assess strategies to improve patient outcomes and quality of care.
4. Evaluates the impact of public processes on financing and delivery of healthcare.
5. Assesses and evaluates health outcomes in a variety of populations, clinical settings, and systems.
6. Completes and disseminates scholarly work, demonstrating knowledge with an area of academic focus.
7. Uses information systems/technology and evaluate clinical and research databases to support and improve patient care and healthcare systems.
8. Demonstrates ability to advocate for health policy change to improve patient care and advance the specialty of nurse anesthesia.
9. Analyzes healthcare delivery systems, organizations, and risk management plans to improve outcomes for the patient, organization, and community.
10. Demonstrates ethical decision-making; and communicates and represents themselves in accordance with the Code of Ethics for CRNAs.

Admission requirements to DNAP: Entry-level Specialization Program

All Applicants must demonstrate:

1. Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education and satisfy both the University's and the affiliated hospital school of nurse anesthesia’s criteria for acceptance. The BSN from an NLN or AACN accredited baccalaureate program in nursing or another appropriate baccalaureate degree (biology, chemistry, etc.) from a regionally accredited institution of higher education must be completed at the time of application.
2. Cumulative GPA 3.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale (A is 4.00).
3. Completed a year in chemistry (this must include inorganic and organic chemistry or biochemistry), a year in anatomy and physiology, and one course in microbiology. Please note one course in chemistry and one course in anatomy and physiology must be less than 10 years old. 
4. Current unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse in one of the 50 states and a current certification in basic life support (BLS).
5. A minimum of one year of critical care experience at the time of application in which the applicant has had the opportunity to develop independent decision making, demonstrate psychomotor skills and the ability to use and interpret advanced monitoring, based on a knowledge of physiologic and pharmacologic principles as evidence by a letter from a supervisor.
6. Graduate Record Examination (May be waived if applicant has demonstrated evidence of advanced scholarship, teaching, leadership, and/or ability to conduct research as evidenced by a letter from a supervisor, resume, or other documentation).
7. A satisfactory interview with the admissions committee from an affiliated hospital school of nurse anesthesia, if selected as finalist.

All Applicants must send the following to a director of affiliated hospital school of nurse anesthesia:

1. Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework;
2. Copy of licensure as a registered nurse in one of the 50 states and a current certification in basic life support (BLS);
3. Three letters of recommendation from employers or educators familiar with your academic or professional experience; one must be from the Office of the Dean or Director of your school of nursing and one from a current supervisor; one of these letters must demonstrate your years of critical care experience;
4. Resume or Curriculum Vitae outlining work experience;
5. Graduate Record Examination scores; or demonstration of advanced scholarship, teaching, leadership, or ability to conduct research as evidenced by a letter from a supervisor.
6. Narrative statement covering career goals, reason for pursuing doctorate, life/work experience relevant as part of your educational experience, ability to pursue study during summer, fall and spring semesters;
7. Application form for affiliated hospital school of nurse anesthesia.
8. For summer matriculation to the DNAP: Entry-Level Program send Application materials to:

If selected, application must be made to Central Connecticut State University no later than March 1.

Students not meeting admissions requirements will not be allowed to take course(s) in the program on a conditional or provisional basis.  Conditional or provisional acceptance into the program is not an option.

Admission requirements to DNAP: Advanced Specialization Program

All Applicants must demonstrate:

1. Graduation from a nurse anesthesia educational program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).
2. Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education;
3. Cumulative GPA 3.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale (A is 4.00).
4. Current unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse in one of the 50 states, a current certification in basic life support (BLS), and advanced practice nurse (if required by home state).
5. Either certification by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists (certified registered nurse anesthetist, CRNA); or current recertification by the Council on Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (if past initial certification period).
6. Graduate Record Examination (May be waived if applicant has demonstrated evidence of advanced scholarship, teaching, leadership, and/or ability to conduct research as evidenced by a letter from a supervisor, resume, or other documentation).
7. A satisfactory interview with the admissions committee from an affiliated hospital school of nurse anesthesia, if selected as finalist.

All Applicants must send the following to a director of affiliated hospital school of nurse anesthesia:

1. Applicants who hold a Master’s degree from a regionally accredited university with a 3.0 or higher GPA on a four-point scale (where A = 4.00) are required to request that official transcripts be sent from the institution where the undergraduate degree was obtained and from where the Master’s degree was obtained.  Official transcripts must also be sent from each institution where any other graduate level courses were taken. The Graduate Recruitment and Admissions office will maintain the right to request other official transcripts to review courses that are essential to the applicant’s program of study. 
2. Copy of licensure as a registered nurse in one of the 50 states, a current certification in basic life support (BLS), and advanced practice nurse (if required by home state);
3. Copy of either certification by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists (certified registered nurse anesthetist, CRNA); or current recertification by the Council on Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (if past initial certification period);
4. Graduate Record Examination scores; or demonstration of advanced scholarship, teaching, leadership, or ability to conduct research as evidenced by a letter from a supervisor.
5. Three letters of recommendation from employers or educators familiar with your academic or professional experience; one must be from the Office of the Dean or Director of your school of nurse anesthesia and one from a current supervisor;
6. Resume or Curriculum Vitae outlining work experience;
7. Narrative statement covering career goals, reason for pursuing doctorate, life/work experience relevant as part of your educational experience, ability to pursue study during summer, fall and spring semesters;
8. Application form for affiliated hospital school of nurse anesthesia.
9. Application materials are due January 1 for fall matriculation to the DNAP: Advanced Specialization Program.  Send Application materials to: 

Preference will be given to those with demonstrated previous course in statistics as evidenced by a transcript.  Students not meeting admissions requirements will not be allowed to take course(s) in the program on a conditional or provisional basis.  Conditional or provisional acceptance into the program is not an option.