Program Overview
For students looking to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), the doctorate of nurse anesthesia practice at the University of Kansas prepares experienced registered nurses to become advanced practice anesthesia providers at the highest level of clinical practice. This terminal doctoral preparation — offered as a Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) — equips students with the knowledge, technical skill, and clinical judgment required to administer anesthesia across diverse health care environments. Graduates of this doctorate of nurse anesthesia practice are prepared to serve as independent practitioners and collaborative leaders, delivering evidence-based anesthesia care in complex, team-based settings.
Through a combination of rigorous didactic coursework, simulation, and extensive supervised clinical experiences, the doctorate of nurse anesthesia practice curriculum emphasizes anesthesia management, advanced pharmacology, physiology, pathophysiology, and patient monitoring. Students develop expertise in perioperative assessment, anesthetic planning, airway management, and post-anesthesia evaluation. By completing this doctorate of nurse anesthesia practice, graduates are positioned to contribute to safe, high-quality anesthesia services and to advance practice through scholarship, quality improvement, and leadership.
The program integrates foundational sciences with applied clinical training beginning early in the curriculum. Students rotate through a broad range of clinical sites and gain experience with diverse patient populations and surgical specialties.
Graduates of KU’s doctorate of nurse anesthesia practice are prepared to practice as a nurse anesthesiologist, for which a CRNA credential is required. This requires formal training and education at the graduate level, followed by passing required certification examinations. In many health care settings, the anesthesiologist nurse works collaboratively with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and interdisciplinary teams to ensure optimal patient outcomes. The framework of this doctorate of nurse anesthesia practice supports clinical excellence, systems leadership, and the ability to evaluate and apply research in anesthesia practice.
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For more information about the program, visit the program page below.
Nurse Anesthesia Practice, DNAPKU School of Health Professions
The Doctorate in Nurse Anesthesia Practice is part of the School of Health Professions, where top-notch training programs and research put our graduates in high demand.Doctorate in Nurse Anesthesia Practice Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the doctorate of nurse anesthesia practice, graduates will be able to:
- Provide safe, high-quality anesthesia care to patients across the lifespan and in a variety of surgical and procedural settings.
- Demonstrate expert-level proficiency in anesthesia induction, maintenance, emergence, and perioperative management.
- Apply advanced knowledge of physiology, pharmacology, and pathophysiology to clinical decision-making.
- Lead and collaborate within interprofessional health care teams to improve patient and system-level outcomes.
- Integrate current evidence, quality improvement principles, and emerging technologies into anesthesia practice.
What Careers are Possible with a Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice?
Graduates of the doctorate of nurse anesthesia practice program are in strong demand across the health care continuum. Graduates may practice in hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, specialty clinics, military settings, and rural health care facilities.
According to Lightcast, professionals in this field earn competitive salaries and experience strong employment outlooks nationwide. In addition to clinical practice, the doctorate of nurse anesthesia practice can support opportunities in leadership, health care administration, quality and safety initiatives, and academic teaching roles. Key career outcomes include:
- High employment rates in hospitals and surgical centers
- Competitive starting and mid-career salaries
- Opportunities for advancement, subspecialty focus, and leadership roles
Tuition and Financial Aid
The doctorate of nurse anesthesia practice program at KU is designed to provide both an affordable education and opportunities for financial assistance. Students may be eligible for various types of financial aid, including loans, grants, and scholarships. For more details on tuition costs, financial aid options, and the application process, visit the Financial Aid site.Admission Requirements
Admission to the doctorate of nurse anesthesia practice program requires applicants to meet certain academic and professional criteria:
- A bachelor’s degree in nursing, respiratory care, biological sciences, health care administration, pharmacology, psychology, or sociology is required.
- GPA of 3.0+ on a 4.0 scale
- Applicants must be a registered nurse with two years of work experience as a licensed registered nurse
- Applicants must have at least one year of recent (within the past 2-3 years), full-time experience in an intensive-care unit
- Applicants should have experience with the following:
- Continuous hemodynamic monitoring (PA catheters, Swan-Ganz)
- Ventilators
- EKG interpretation
- Pharmacological monitoring (instituting, regulating and maintaining patients on drugs related to cardio pulmonary status or life-death situations)
- All applicants are required to obtain RN licenses for Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma prior to the start of the program
- Prerequisite coursework in chemistry, human anatomy, human physiology, microbiology, and statistics with a minimum grade of C
- Two letters of reference
- Resume/CV
- Statement of purpose
- Applicants must shadow with either a CRNA or an anesthesiologist to gain a better understanding of the nurse anesthesia profession
- Applicants are required to have completed certifications in Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support, Basic Life Support, and Pediatric Advanced Life Support
- Background check
- CCRN certification is strongly recommended, but not required
Learn more about the admissions process at the KU Medical Center
Student Life and Learning Experiences
The doctorate of nurse anesthesia practice program is grounded in evidence-based practice, simulation, and immersive clinical training. Students participate in high-fidelity simulation experiences that reinforce anesthesia crisis management, airway techniques, and advanced monitoring strategies before transitioning into expanded clinical rotations.
Clinical education occurs across a variety of practice settings, allowing students to refine competencies under the supervision of experienced CRNAs and physician anesthesiologists. This structured progression supports the development of confident, practice-ready graduates prepared for the responsibilities of a nurse anesthesiologist.
Doctorate in Nurse Anesthesia Practice Sample Courses
Students pursuing the doctorate of nurse anesthesia practice complete advanced, doctoral-level coursework designed to support both clinical expertise and systems leadership. Sample courses include:
- Clinical Anatomy
- Nurse Anesthesia Pharmacology
- Advanced Physiology
- Advanced Physical Assessment and Patient Care Technology for Anesthesia
- Advanced Pathophysiology
For a complete list of courses, visit the KU Catalog.
Doctorate in Nurse Anesthesia Practice Frequently Asked Questions
When should I apply?
The early-decision application opens March 15 and closes May 15.
How long will it take to complete the degree?
Students typically complete this degree in four years.