nurse anesthesia students in class with instructor

Nurse Anesthetist

Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.)

Administer care at the highest level of nursing practice through one of the nation's top-rated nurse anesthesia programs.

Graduate ready to be a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).

Program type:
Doctoral Degree
Format:
On Campus
Est. time to complete:
3 years
Credit hours:
94

How to become a nurse anesthetist at UND?

Application Deadlines
Fall:
July 15

If you're an international student, refer to the international application process for deadlines.

UND's D.N.P. in Nurse Anesthesia program integrates courses in:

  • Evidence-based practice
  • Leadership
  • Healthcare economics
  • Collaboration
  • Informatics
  • Knowledge of systems
  • Healthcare policy with specialized nurse anesthesia practice education

At graduation, you'll be able to:

  • Formulate an individualized, physiologically sound, evidence-based and culturally competent anesthesia plan of care for patients from diverse populations across the lifespan, while taking into account the surgical procedures and comorbid conditions.
  • Implement a formulated anesthesia plan of care in a safe, efficient and cost-effective manner to ensure the best possible patient outcome.
  • Analyze physiologic responses to the anesthetic and implement scientifically sound interventions.
  • Evaluate nurse anesthesia care to positively impact patient outcomes, reduce complications, and improve the safety and quality of nurse anesthesia care.
  • Demonstrate the highest legal, ethical, and practice standards for nurse anesthesia while accepting responsibility and accountability for one’s own actions as a healthcare professional.
  • Demonstrate personal and professional excellence by working to advance the profession of nurse anesthesia and recognizing the importance of remaining a life-long learner.

Accredited Nurse Anesthesia Program

The University of North Dakota Nurse Anesthesia Program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Education Programs (COA) through 2031.

Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs
222 S Prospect Ave
Park Ridge, IL 60068
847.655.1160
accreditation@coa.us.com

Nurse Anesthesia Program

  • Take coursework using face-to-face instruction, high fidelity simulation and laboratory experiences, online and clinical practicum learning.

  • Gain hands-on clinical experience in anesthesia practice at urban and rural healthcare facilities throughout North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota.

  • Get personal attention from qualified professionals. Cohorts are limited to 18-20 students each year.

Nurse Anesthetist Careers

40%

Projected job outlook for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners through 2033

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

100%

UND graduates over the past five years who have been employed as nurse anesthetists within six months of graduation

UND Nurse Anesthesia Program

Becoming a nurse anesthetist is uniquely challenging and rewarding. It often entails reassessing current commitments, geographic relocations and personal sacrifices. However, the opportunities available to you as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) and the professional growth you will experience are unparalleled. You should expect to be in demand and have a variety of work settings to choose from including hospitals, surgery centers, and dental offices. Plus, nurse anesthetists are among the highest-paid nursing professions.

Licensed Nurse Anesthetist

At graduation, you will be eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination (NCE), administered by the National Board on Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA). After passing the NCE, you will be certified as a CRNA and eligible to apply for state licensure in any of the 50 states.

Nurse Anesthesia Courses

NURS 515. Basic Principles of Anesthesia Practice I. 4 Credits.

This course provides an introduction to the fundamental principles necessary for the safe, professional, and individualized anesthetic care of diverse patients. Foundational concepts such as chemistry and physics as they apply to anesthesia practice, pharmacology of anesthetic agents, uncomplicated airway management, anesthesia delivery systems, and physiological monitoring will be investigated. Low and high fidelity patient simulation will be utilized to develop the student's cognitive and psychomotor skills which are essential to clinical anesthesia management. The course will conclude with a clinical component designed to acclimate beginning nurse anesthesia students to the clinical anesthesia arena. Prerequisite or Corequisite: Admission to the DNP Program - Nurse Anesthesia Track. F.

NURS 524. Anatomy for Nurse Anesthetists. 1 Credit.

This course builds upon the concepts and fundamentals of Basic Principles of Anesthesia I and II as it relates to the detailed regional anatomy of the human body. A cadever laboratory experience will be utilized throughout the course to develop the student's understanding of clinical anatomy related to the airway, central nervous system, peripheral nerves, cardiovascular system, and pulmonary system with an anesthesia context. Prerequisite or Corequisite: Admission to the DNP Program - Nurse Anesthesia Track. S.

NURS 608. Healthcare Economics, Finance and Leadership. 3 Credits.

This course focuses on healthcare economics, finance and practice leadership skills related to the role of the DNP prepared nurse within the complex health care system. Prerequisite or Corequisite: Admission to the DNP program or consent of instructor. F,S,SS.

NURS 518. Pharmacotherapeutics for Nurse Anesthesia. 2 Credits.

The focus of this course in on advanced clinical concepts of pharmacology relevant to the nurse anesthetist during the perioperative period. This course utilizes concepts from NURS 505 Advanced Pharmacology and further advances the student's knowledge in pharmacological concepts related to the practice of anesthesia. This course will examine the clinical application of anesthesia specific pharmacologic principles into formulating anesthetic plans for diverse patient populations. Prerequisite or Corequisite: NURS 505; Admission to the DNP Program - Nurse Anesthesia Track. S.

NURS 551. Advanced Health Assessment for Nurse Anesthetists. 3 Credits.

An evidence based approach to the development of advanced assessment skills for the nurse anesthetist to formulate the anesthetic evaluation and overall assessment of diverse and increasingly complex patient populations. Individual and group collaboration will emphasize course objectives. Low and high fidelity patient simulators will be utilized to continue developing the student's cognitive and psychomotor assessment skills. Prerequisite: Admission to the DNP Nurse Anesthesia Program; Completion of an undergraduate course in health assessment techniques. Prerequisite or Corequisite: Completion or concurrent enrollment in Advanced Pathophysiology, or its equivalent. S.

NURS 542. Professional Aspects of Nurse Anesthesia Practice. 4 Credits.

This course provides the entry-level nurse anesthesia student with a foundational knowledge of professional aspects related to nurse anesthesia practice. The focus of this course is on historical perspectives, professional role development, anesthesia business practices, and professional wellness. The student will also participate in non-patient DNP practice experience to apply concepts related to the AACN DNP Essentials. Prerequisite: Admission to the DNP Program - Nurse Anesthesia Track. F.

Best Nurse Anesthesia D.N.P. Programs

#8 BestMedicalDegrees.Com
#28 Online College Plan
#32 NursingProcess.Org

UND is ranked by many as a Top 25 best Nurse Anesthesia D.N.P. program in the nation. We are well regarded for our educational quality, affordability, flexibility, and career outcomes.

Ranking sites vary in their methodology, but are generally based on the following criterion:

  • Financial data such as net cost, loan default rate, and return on investment
  • Academic rigor including curriculum standards, accreditation status, and faculty reputation
  • Student gratification, retention rate, and support services
  • Employment rate and graduate salary

Future CNRA

Former ICU nurse, Nick Houge, is in the Nurse Anesthesia program. He says UND is preparing him to take care of patients the right way. It's not about passing the class.

Read Nick's Story
Make A Difference

Explore more about our D.N.P. program.

Department Contact
James Sperle, D.N.P., C.R.N.A.
Nurse Anesthesia Program Director
P 701.777.4521

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