**Please note: The GRE is no longer required for application or admission to the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Program at Newman University**
The Nurse Anesthesia program at Newman University is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Education Programs and the Higher Leaning Commission. The COA is a specialized accreditation body recognized by the Council on Post-Secondary Education and the United States Department of Education. The Nurse Anesthesia program is a approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing.
For students considering an academic program, whether online or campus based as a pathway to professional credential in any field:
Newman University recommends that you contact the appropriate state credentialing board in the state in which you reside or wish to be employed, prior to beginning a course of study to determine whether the program you are considering will meet that state’s credentialing requirements. We cannot confirm whether the Newman University program meets requirements for professional credentialing in states outside of Kansas.
Admission to the nurse anesthesia program is highly competitive. Successfully meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee an interview or acceptance to the program. Newman University reserves the right to change policy, procedures, fees, and admissions criteria without prior notification. These changes shall be made to reflect the needs of the University, faculty, students, clinical sites, and affiliated institutions.
This program will not discriminate with regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, or any factor protected by law. Because of the nature and intensity of the work, students requesting reasonable accommodations will be assessed on an individual basis in relation to their ability to meet the technical requirements of the program.
DNAP Program Description and Design
The Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice is a comprehensive 36-month course of study that prepares registered nurses to become Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). This program includes a didactic portion conducted at Newman University and a clinical anesthesia component carried out at local and regional hospitals. The first year is primarily didactic, allowing the student to acquire the skills necessary for the safe administration of anesthesia. During the second year, the student continues didactic instruction and an introduction to the practice of clinical anesthesia under the supervision of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists and physician anesthesiologists. As the student progresses through the program, didactic instruction lessens while clinical time and case complexity increases. Second year students explore professional leadership issues, and assume greater responsibility in the hospital through increased call and leadership. Third year students will continue clinical practicums including specialty rotations, prepare for the Self-Evaluation Examination (SEE), and the National Certifying Exam (NCE), and shall successfully complete the doctoral scholarly work.
The curriculum of the program has a wide range of physical, behavioral, and biological science courses to help the student establish a theoretical base. Instructional approaches include a one-to-one instructor student ratio, lecture, lab, self-directed study, and structured learning. The clinical portion of the program consists of a hands-on approach to the administration of anesthesia. Students obtain clinical skills in a variety of settings, which include large Level 1 Trauma Centers, teaching hospitals, and rural anesthesia practices. Graduates of the Newman University Nurse Anesthesia Program provide approximately 1006 anesthetics with over 2054 hours of direct anesthesia care. Enrichment rotations such as cardiothoracic, pediatric, regional anesthesia, obstetric, neurosurgery, and rural anesthesia provide a well-rounded clinical experience.
Students are encouraged to expand personal, educational, and professional goals as they push toward excellence.
Minimum GPA requirements
Minimum overall GPA ≥ 3.0 or ≥ 3.2 last 60 credit hours
Minimum science/math GPA ≥ 3.0 (strongly recommended)
Prerequisite Courses
Statistics course: Must contain content on both parametric and nonparametric statistics which are components of most basic statistics courses. Please note that a nursing research class does not meet this requirement.
RN Licensure
Unrestricted license as a professional registered nurse. Upon admission to the program, students must possess either a compact nursing license or a Kansas registered nurse license (and if selected for an Oklahoma City primary site, must possess either a compact nursing license or Oklahoma registered nurse license).
Certifications
BLS
ACLS
PALS (prior to beginning the program)
CCRN preferred
Critical Care Experience
Minimum of 1 year (2 years preferred) full-time employment in an ICU is required. This must be within the 2 years of the start of the program. Acceptable ICUs include: cardiac ICU, medical ICU, neuro ICU, trauma ICU, etc. The Admissions and Progression Committee has found that successful applicants most often have adult ICU experience; however, PICU experience is acceptable to meet the critical care requirement. NICU, PACU, ER, OR, POCU do NOT meet the requirements for admission to the Newman University Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice Program. A minimum of 1 year must be from a hospital within the 50 states, US territories, or at a US military hospital.
Bachelor’s Degree
Must possess a bachelor’s degree from a fully-accredited college or university. (BSN preferred but not required.) Applicants with an associate’s degree in nursing will be considered provided that a bachelor’s degree in any discipline has been earned.
Professional References
Three professional references are required. One must be from a current supervisor.
Personal Statement
A personal essay should be submitted in which the applicant demonstrates graduate-level writing ability. The personal essay should reflect the applicant’s professional development as a registered nurse in critical care and how this will translate to success in an advanced practice role as a nurse anesthetist. The personal statement should be 2 pages or less.
Current Resume/CV
Shadow Experience
Shadow experience of an anesthesia provider actively administering anesthesia is preferred. There is no minimum requirement of shadowing hours.
Personal Interview
A professional interview is required for acceptance to the Newman University Nurse Anesthesia Program. Invitations for professional interviews will be sent to selected applicants by mid- September. Interviews with the Admissions and Progression Committee will be conducted in October and/or November. The interview will provide the applicant the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge in the areas of pharmacology, physiology, pathophysiology, and critical thinking as it relates to their unique critical care experience and patient population.
Background check/drug screen: If accepted to the program, all students must pass a background check and drug screen prior to the start of the nurse anesthesia program. This will be at the cost of the student, and information will be given after acceptance is granted.
Program Schedule: New classes begin in May of each year.
The DNAP will be a 36-month program encompassing summer, fall, and spring semesters for the three-year period. Detailed course descriptions are available in the online course catalog.
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Total Curriculum Hours DNAP: 88
*Denotes online or hybrid (online/face to face) courses
Our faculty and staff have the knowledge and experience to help you prepare for a career as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). If you need clarification on a class assignment or advice on how to approach your future, you can feel confident that our faculty is available and ready to help.
Nurse anesthetists administer approximately 65 percent of the 26 million anesthetics given to patients in the U.S. each year, and have many opportunities for general or specialty practice throughout the U.S. CRNAs are one of the best-paid nursing specialties, reporting an average annual salary of $164,000 in 2020. Because Newman's CRNA Program is so thorough, its graduates are held in high regard and find they are in great demand in the job market. Currently, there is a 12 percent vacancy rate for nurse anesthesia positions.
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Linked below are the full outcomes for each Nurse Anesthesia program as required by our accrediting bodies: