Post-BSN to DNP - Nurse Anesthesia

BSN to DNP-Nurse Anesthesia admission requirements:

1. BSN degree from a CCNE, ACEN or NLNAC accredited program.
2. Current licensure as an RN in Texas or hold a compact license with multi-state privileges that includes Texas.
3. 3.0 GPA from last 60 hours of college coursework
4. Three professional references.
5. For international applicants, TOEFL minimum requirements: Paper examination: 550 or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score minimum: 6.5.
6. A completed basic statistics course taken within the last 5 years with a grade of 'B' or higher.
7. A completed Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry course with a grade of 'B' or higher taken within the last 5 years.
8. Minimum one year work experience in critical care as a registered nurse, two years preferred.
9. BLS, ACLS and PALS certification
10.GRE score from exam taken within the last 5 years

Applicants submit required items through NursingCAS, a centralized application system.

Admission staff review and the top applicants are invited to interview and submit a writing sample.

The DNP-Nurse Anesthesia program requires full-time attendance. Invited applicants will meet with program faculty to discuss time and financial commitments. Per COA requirements, all students must attend full-time.

Degree Requirements and Graduation

For the Post-BSN to DNP CRNA degree, completion of 108.5 semester credit hours with an overall minimum GPA of 3.0, no more than one C in a required course, and no incomplete grades are required to be eligible for graduation.

The program is designed to be completed in 36 months of full-time study. A clinical preceptorship is required. 

Clinical/Practicum Hours

The Doctor of Nursing Practice requires that all students have 1,000 clinical/practicum hours post bachelors. DNP clinical/practicum hour requirements for nurses in the BSN to DNP program are 360 hours. The CRNA clinical/practicum hour requirements for nurses in the BSN to DNP program is 2160 hours.

DNP Project

A hallmark of the practice doctorate is the DNP project that allows students to which demonstrates the student's in-depth knowledge of their area of specialty practice and the synthesis of their coursework and practice application. The project is guided and evaluated by a primary faculty and secondary faculty (optional). The project results in a scholarly paper and presentation.

The focus of all DNP projects is on knowledge translation at multiple system levels. During the program, students work with faculty to begin exploring concepts related to their area of interest while evaluating sources of evidence related to the problem/need. The project will be defined through the DNP Seminar course. Based upon an assessment and evaluation of the evidence, the plan and design will be developed for a DNP project initiative

  1.  Integrate nursing science, ethics, and biophysical, psychosocial, and analytical knowledge to provide safe, individualized, culturally competent anesthesia care across the lifespan. (DNP program outcomes 1, 3, 5, 8)
  2.  Collaborate with interprofessional teams to enhance anesthesia care delivery and patient outcomes. (DNP program outcomes 6)
  3.  Evaluate and utilize evidence to implement, design and deliver anesthesia practice improvements. (DNP program outcomes 2, 3, 4, 5, 8)
  4. Advocate for anesthesia practices that promote social justice and equity. (DNP program outcome 5)
  5. Lead interprofessional teams to develop, evaluate and utilize evidence-based guidelines that affects anesthesia healthcare processes, quality, safety and cost. (DNP program outcomes 3, 5, 7)
First Year
Fall SemesterTheoryClinicalLabContSCH
NURS 6302Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics3
NURS 6320Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Nursing Practice3
NURS 7302Theoretical Foundations for Leadership in Complex Adaptive Systems3
NURS 6413Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology I4
Spring Semester
NURS 7320Statistical Methods and Data Analysis to Evaluate Healthcare Delivery Systems3
CSAT 5022Clinically-Oriented Human Anatomy5.5
NURS 6210Advanced Health Assessment and Clinical Reasoning2
NURS 6110Advanced Health Assessment: Clinical Application601
NURS 6315Informatics & Health Care Technologies3
Summer Semester
NURS 6431Advanced Pharmacology for Nurse Anesthesia4
NURS 6432Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology II4
NURS 7303Science of Knowledge Translation and Implementation I3
NURS 6380Fundamentals of Epidemiology3
Second Year
Fall Semester
NURS 7210Nurse Anesthesia Principles I2
NURS 7304Science of Knowledge Translation and Implementation II3
NURS 7324Healthcare Economics And Policy3
NURS 7227Introduction to Anesthesia Equipment, Technology & Clinical Practice2
NURS 7322Healthcare Policy Analysis and Advocacy3
Spring Semester
NURS 7326Nurse Anesthesia Principles II3
NURS 7410Clinical Anesthesia Residency I4
NURS 7305DNP Seminar1203
NURS 6250Advanced Health Promotion, Health Protection, and Disease Prevention2
Summer Semester
NURS 7230Nurse Anesthesia Principles III2
NURS 7520Clinical Anesthesia Residency II5
NURS 7309DNP Project 11203
Third Year
Fall Semester
NURS 7340Nurse Anesthesia Principles IV3
NURS 7530Clinical Anesthesia Residency III5
NURS 7308DNP Project 21203
Spring Semester
NURS 7319Seminars in Nurse Anesthesia I3
NURS 7540Clinical Anesthesia Residency IV5
NURS 7307DNP Dissemination3
Summer Semester
NURS 7327Seminars in Nurse Anesthesia II3
NURS 7550Clinical Anesthesia Residency V5
NURS 7231Professional Aspects of Nurse Anesthesia Practice2
 Total Credit Hours: 0.0420.00.00.0108.5

CSAT 5022. Clinically-Oriented Human Anatomy. 5.5 Credit Hours.

This course is designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of whole-body human anatomy as it applies to clinical practice. This course teaches foundational anatomical relationships and common variations following a regional approach, with select topics receiving regional systemic emphasis. This includes correlating anatomy with clinical pathologies, procedures, and imaging through didactic lectures, gross anatomy prosection laboratory, and active learning sessions. Clinical cases will be incorporated in lecture and in laboratory to foster critical thinking skills necessary for students to use their anatomical knowledge to solve clinical problems. Humanism and professionalism, including compassion and empathy, are integrated into the course to help students form a healthy professional identity in the medical field. Course fees: Cadaver Fee $843, Lab Fee $30, Technology Fee $50.

NURS 6110. Advanced Health Assessment: Clinical Application. 1 Credit Hour.

Students will apply advanced health assessment techniques in the performance of focused and comprehensive health assessments of clients across the lifespan. Clinical reasoning, analysis, and synthesis of history and physical assessment data and diagnostic reasoning skills are developed. Prerequisites: An undergraduate health assessment course or comparable equivalent, NURS 6338. Corequisites: NURS 6210.

NURS 6210. Advanced Health Assessment and Clinical Reasoning. 2 Credit Hours.

This course will build upon health assessment skills developed in the professional nurse's basic educational program. The theoretical and clinical basis for health assessment by the advanced clinician will be developed. The process whereby the advanced clinician utilizes comprehensive history, physical, psychosocial, and cultural assessment across the lifespan to gather specific data relevant to common health problems is demonstrated. Students will develop clinical reasoning skills to begin to formulate differential diagnoses. Corequisites: NURS 6110. Prerequisites: NURS 6338.

NURS 6250. Advanced Health Promotion, Health Protection, and Disease Prevention. 2 Credit Hours.

In this course, students analyze health promotion, health protection and disease prevention theories, research and strategies to reduce risk and improve health outcomes of individuals, families and communities. Students synthesize epidemiological, biostatistical, environmental and other evidence-based data to design interventions that promote health of diverse populations. Prerequisites: NURS 6320, NURS 7303. Corequisites: NURS 6380.

NURS 6302. Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics. 3 Credit Hours.

This course provides the opportunity to acquire advanced knowledge and skills in the therapeutic use of pharmacologic agents. The pharmacologic treatment of major health problems will be explored. Principles of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacogenomics will be examined. The effects of culture, ethnicity, age, pregnancy, gender and funding on pharmacologic therapy will be emphasized. Legal aspects of prescribing will be fully addressed. The prerequisite does not apply to CRNA track students. Prerequisites: NURS 6338 Open for Cross Enrollment on Space Available Basis.

NURS 6315. Informatics & Health Care Technologies. 3 Credit Hours.

This course addresses advanced leadership roles in the clinical setting related to information systems and patient care technology. The content focuses on information systems that assist in monitoring outcomes and quality improvement, patient safety, and evaluation and selection of patient care technology and consumer health information sources. Legal and ethical issues related to information systems and patient care technology will be explored. Prerequisites: NURS 6320, NURS 7303, NURS 7302. Open for Cross Enrollment on Space Available Basis.

NURS 6320. Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Nursing Practice. 3 Credit Hours.

In this course students explore and consider theories from nursing and related disciplines. Emphasis is placed on the role of theory to guide practice and care improvement. This course is a foundation for the advanced practice nurse to choose and use theories. Prerequisites: Graduate Standing.

NURS 6380. Fundamentals of Epidemiology. 3 Credit Hours.

This course is designed to study the distribution and determinants of health and disease in human populations. Improving health by altering personal and environmental risk factors will be a major focus. Epidemiological research using technology and public health informatics will also be introduced. Prerequisites: Graduate Standing. Open for Cross Enrollment on Space Available Basis.

NURS 6413. Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology I. 4 Credit Hours.

This course will provide an in-depth analysis of the advanced principles related to the physiological and pathophysiological processes of the cardiovascular, pulmonary, and central nervous system for anesthetic management. Evident-based practice resulting from relevant research of pathophysiological disease states will be incorporate to develop interventions and a plan of care for patients with health status alterations throughout the lifespan and special populations. Prerequisites: Graduate Standing.

NURS 6431. Advanced Pharmacology for Nurse Anesthesia. 4 Credit Hours.

This course applies the principles of pharmacology to anesthesia practice for an in-depth understanding. The course progresses to detailed exploration of the uptake, distribution, biotransformation, and elimination of currently used clinical anesthesia pharmacotherapeutics. Specific properties of anesthetic agents and commonly used adjunctive drugs are discussed and evaluated for appropriate application in clinical situations. Pharmacogenetic disorders with specific anesthesia implications are examined. Prerequisites: NURS 6210, NURS 6110, NURS 6302 and NURS 6413.

NURS 6432. Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology II. 4 Credit Hours.

This course will provide an in-depth analysis of the advanced principles related to the physiological and pathophysiological processes of the endocrine, renal, hepatic, gastrointestinal, peripheral vascular, immune, and related organs for anesthetic management. Evident-based practice resulting from relevant research of pathophysiological disease states will be incorporate to develop interventions and a plan of care for patients with health status alterations throughout the lifespan and special populations. Prerequisites: NURS 6413, CSAT 5502, NURS 6210, NURS 6110.

NURS 7227. Introduction to Anesthesia Equipment, Technology & Clinical Practice. 2 Credit Hours.

The course will introduce students to the preparation of the anesthetizing environment, physiologic monitoring, utilization of anesthesia equipment, fluid and electrolyte monitoring, communication and documentation. This course integrates chemistry and physics to provide the student with a foundation to understand anesthesia equipment, such as the various delivery systems, ventilators, and the anesthesia machine. Prerequisites: Graduate Standing.

NURS 7230. Nurse Anesthesia Principles III. 2 Credit Hours.

This course will reinforce and build on principles learned in Nurse Anesthesia Principles I and II. Concepts unique to pediatric and obstetrical anesthesia will be the focus of the course. Learners will incorporate physiological and pathophysiological concepts unique to this population with anesthesia principles previously explored in Nurse Anesthesia Principles I and II. New psychomotor skills needed for pediatric and obstetrical anesthesia will be introduced and correlated to specific cases throughout the course. A lab setting will be utilized by learners to take anesthesia concepts and techniques taught during the course and correlate them to specific anesthetic management of cases. Prerequisites: NURS 7326 and NURS 7410.

NURS 7231. Professional Aspects of Nurse Anesthesia Practice. 2 Credit Hours.

This course provides an in-depth investigation of the historical and professional role of the certified registered nurse anesthetist. Students will explore concepts related to the CRNAs Scope of Practice, standards of care, adherence to an ethical code of conduct, legal and regulatory aspects of the profession, and variations of practices between states. The optimization and challenges of wellness and work/life balance of the nurse anesthetist will be addressed. The student must be in graduate standing to register for this course.

NURS 7302. Theoretical Foundations for Leadership in Complex Adaptive Systems. 3 Credit Hours.

The course focuses on theoretical underpinnings for leadership, complexity science and complex adaptive systems. Individual leadership skill development for transforming healthcare and nursing practice through innovation, change management and quality improvement is highlighted. The course prepares nurses to assume leadership in complex healthcare systems through advanced communication, team building, conflict and board management, decision making and collaborative skills. Prerequisites: Graduate Standing. Open for Cross Enrollment on Space Available Basis.

NURS 7303. Science of Knowledge Translation and Implementation I. 3 Credit Hours.

This course builds a foundation for advanced clinical scholarship, preparing students to conduct a systematic search of the literature to address a research-practice gap, critically appraise the identified literature, and synthesize this body of literature to identify an evidence-based intervention(s) to address this gap. Students will analyze various models of evidence-based practice (EBP) and knowledge translation to guide the implementation of knowledge into practice. They will critically appraise and synthesize primary research, systematic reviews, and best practice guidelines to address clinical questions. Prerequisites: NURS 6320 Open for Cross Enrollment on Space Available Basis.

NURS 7304. Science of Knowledge Translation and Implementation II. 3 Credit Hours.

In this course students will enhance their capacity to integrate research and knowledge into practice. Students will examine knowledge translation models, implementation designs, program evaluation methods, and analytical approaches to improve practice, patient, and system-level outcomes. Students will also be introduced to strategies that sustain and facilitate evidence-based interventions in complex healthcare delivery systems. Ethical issues related to knowledge translation and implementation will also be explored in this course. Prerequisites: NURS 7303. Open for Cross Enrollment on Space Available Basis.

NURS 7305. DNP Seminar. 3 Credit Hours.

This seminar focuses on the DNP project development. This seminar includes activities related to developing the DNP project proposal: identifying the opportunity for improvement, review of the literature for significance and background, selecting the appropriate theoretical model(s) that will guide the assessment and implementation of the project, and identifying the project goal. The student synthesizes the literature to guide the evidence-based project proposal. During this seminar, students will work with the mentoring team (faculty chair and the project site preceptor). Prerequisites: NURS 6315; NURS 6320; NURS 6380; NURS 7302, NURS 7303, NURS 7304, NURS 7320, NURS 7322, NURS 7324.

NURS 7306. DNP Project. 3 Credit Hours.

This course provides students with clinical specialty immersion experience to plan, design, implement, and evaluate the DNP Project. Students will demonstrate the role of the DNP as leader and innovator in complex organizational systems as it relates to knowledge translation, implementation, and evaluation. Milestones for project completion are determined for each semester. Prerequisites: NURS 6320, NURS 6315, NURS 6380, NURS 7302, NURS 7303, NURS 7304, NURS 7305, NURS 7320, NURS 7324, NURS 7322. Corequisites: NURS 6235, NURS 6254, NURS 6219, NURS 6224.

NURS 7307. DNP Dissemination. 3 Credit Hours.

The student will disseminate DNP project outcomes, recommendations, and lessons learned through scholarly writing and presentations. Additionally, students will address practice implications with system leaders and communities of interest. Prerequisites: NURS 6320, NURS 7302, NURS 7303, NURS 6315, NURS 6380, NURS 7324, NURS 7322, NURS 7304, NURS 7305, NURS 7306, NURS 7320.

NURS 7319. Seminars in Nurse Anesthesia I. 3 Credit Hours.

This is the first in a series of two (2) clinical correlation courses. The course is designed to be a comprehensive review of the body of knowledge necessary to enter Nurse Anesthesia practice. Selected topics and case studies will be applied in an advanced study of scientific principles, principles of therapeutics, and principles of anesthesia practice to further develop critical thinking skills, and to foster continued integration of theoretical knowledge into clinical practice. A series of seminars and presentations interspersed with comprehensive, computerized examinations will be administered to allow students to evaluate their knowledge level and their test taking skills. Nurse Anesthesia student preparation for both the DNP Comprehensive Examination and the NBCRNA National Certification Examination will be enhanced. Prerequisites: NURS 7340 and NURS 7530.

NURS 7320. Statistical Methods and Data Analysis to Evaluate Healthcare Delivery Systems. 3 Credit Hours.

Students will be introduced to analytical methods for knowledge translation and implementation to evaluate processes that impact system, practice, and patient level outcomes. Students will build skills to analyze patient, practice, and outcome data using descriptive statistics, quality improvement tools, and statistical process control. Students will examine appropriate models, methods, measures, data sources, and analyses to evaluate healthcare quality and patient outcomes. Students will also build capacity to interpret, visualize, and present data to advance practice and improve patient outcomes. Prerequisites: Graduate Standing. Open for Cross Enrollment on Space Available Basis.

NURS 7322. Healthcare Policy Analysis and Advocacy. 3 Credit Hours.

This course prepares the nurse leader to advance the agenda of the rapidly changing care environment by examination of health policy research and analysis. Students will focus on policy process and develop and implement policy agendas. They will participate in collective decision-making, identifying roles and key stakeholders. The course will address how to identify gaps in policy knowledge and provide opportunity for nurse leaders to engage in processes that influence policy decisions at the institutional, local, state, regional, national and/ or international levels. The course will prepare the nurse leader to analyze the policy process and engage in politically competent care. There are no prerequisites for Post-MSN to PhD students. However, DNP students do have a prerequisite. Prerequisites: NURS 7302.

NURS 7324. Healthcare Economics And Policy. 3 Credit Hours.

This course prepares the student to lead improvements in health care and shape health policy through an understanding of macroeconomic principles in the health care market. Students will be given the opportunity to apply theoretical and empirical economic analysis to business and public policy issues in health care. Open for Cross Enrollment on Space Available Basis. Prerequisites: NURS 6320.

NURS 7326. Nurse Anesthesia Principles II. 3 Credit Hours.

This course will expand on the concepts learned in Nurse Anesthesia Principles I. Various anesthesia techniques and the physiological effects of those techniques on complex co-morbidities will be the emphasis of the course. Special consideration of the geriatric population and the physiological effects of the various anesthesia techniques will also be explored. The psychomotor skills introduced in Nurse Anesthesia Principles I will be refined and enhanced. New psychomotor skills needed for higher level anesthesia techniques will be introduced and correlated to specific cases throughout the course. A lab setting will be utilized by learners to take concepts and anesthesia techniques taught during the course and correlate them to specific anesthetic management of cases. Prerequisites: NURS 7227 and NURS 7210.

NURS 7327. Seminars in Nurse Anesthesia II. 3 Credit Hours.

This is the second in a series of two (2) clinical correlation courses. The course is designed to be a comprehensive review of the body of knowledge necessary to enter Nurse Anesthesia practice. Selected topics and case studies will be applied in an advanced study of scientific principles, principles of therapeutics, and principles of anesthesia practice in order to further develop critical thinking skills, and to foster continued integration of theoretical knowledge into clinical practice. A series of seminars and presentations interspersed with comprehensive, computerized examinations will be administered to allow students to evaluate their knowledge level and their test taking skills. Nurse Anesthesia student preparation for both the DNP Comprehensive Examination and the NBCRNA National Certification Examination will be enhanced. Prerequisites: NURS 7319 and NURS 7540.

NURS 7340. Nurse Anesthesia Principles IV. 3 Credit Hours.

This course will reinforce and expand on the concepts learned in Nurse Anesthesia Principles I II and II. Various anesthesia techniques and the physiological effects of those techniques on concepts unique to cardiothoracic anesthesia will be the focus of the course. Learners will incorporate physiological and pathophysiological concepts unique to this population with anesthesia principles previous explored in Nurse Anesthesia Principles I, II, and III. New psychomotor skills needed for cardiothoracic anesthesia will be introduced and correlated to specific cases throughout the course. A lab setting will be utilized by learners to take anesthesia concepts and techniques taught during the course and correlate them to specific anesthetic management of cases. Prerequisites: NURS 7230 and NURS 7520.

NURS 7410. Clinical Anesthesia Residency I. 4 Credit Hours.

This course will introduce the nurse anesthesia student to the clinical experience. The course is designed to integrate didactic course work and basic level anesthesia technology and equipment, medications, monitoring, procedures, and the perioperative environment. The student will be assigned to affiliated clinical sites and anesthesia related specialty areas. Experience will begin with simple cases and techniques and build to more complex cases throughout the course. Clinical experiences will be guided by Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and/or Anesthesiologist. Ongoing assessments will be conducted to evaluate the students ability to apply basic didactic coursework into the clinical setting. Prerequisites: NURS 7210 and NURS 7227.

NURS 7520. Clinical Anesthesia Residency II. 5 Credit Hours.

This course will incorporate evidence-based knowledge and skills in the management of increasingly complex clinical experiences designed to provide the nurse anesthesia student with clinical application of the foundational principles in anesthesia. Experiences will continue the integration of advanced anesthesia principles into practice. The student will continue to develop competencies with monitoring, use of equipment, and administration of medications with an emphasis on patient safety and vigilance. Clinical experiences will be guided by the CRNA and/or anesthesiologist. Prerequisites: NURS 7326 and NURS 7410.

NURS 7530. Clinical Anesthesia Residency III. 5 Credit Hours.

This course will continue to incorporate evidence-based knowledge and skills in the management of increasingly complex clinical experiences designed to provide the nurse anesthesia student with clinical application of the foundational principles in anesthesia. Experiences will build on knowledge and skills gained in the first three principles courses. This course will emphasize continued management of general and specialty anesthetic techniques for patients with complex co-morbidities and broaden experience for particular surgical procedures including: intracranial, vascular, neuro-skeletal, diagnostic/therapeutic procedures, organ procurement, and laser procedures. Principles and ethical concepts for organ procurement will also be discussed. Clinical experiences will be guided by the CRNA and/or anesthesiologist. Prerequisites: NURS 7230, NURS 7520.

NURS 7540. Clinical Anesthesia Residency IV. 5 Credit Hours.

This course will incorporate evidence-based knowledge and skills in the management of more advanced anesthesia specialty cases including cardiothoracic, neurosurgical, and organ transplant procedures. Experiences will build on the knowledge and skills gained in the first three clinical residency courses. Emphasis will be on the delivery of personalized care across the disease spectrum integrating evidence-based research practices, critical thinking, patient safety and vigilance, inter-professional communication, and culturally competent care. Clinical experiences will be guided by the CRNA and/or anesthesiologist. Prerequisites: NURS 7340 and NURS 7530.

NURS 7550. Clinical Anesthesia Residency V. 5 Credit Hours.

This course will incorporate evidence-based knowledge and skills in the management of advanced anesthesia specialty cases involving the pediatric and obstetrical patient population. Emphasis will be on the delivery of personalized care to the pediatric and obstetrical patient population integrating evidence-based research practices, critical thinking, patient safety and vigilance, inter-professional communication, and culturally competent care. Clinical experiences will be guided by the CRNA and/or anesthesiologist. Prerequisites: NURS 7340 and NURS 7540.