School of Nursing | Academic Programs | Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) | Nurse Anesthesia

Nurse Anesthesia

The UNC Greensboro nurse anesthesia concentration is a 36-month plan of study that prepares students to become competent safe certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) who deliver cost effective and high-quality anesthesia care.

Program Overview

Our graduate registered nurse anesthesia residents are engaged in an innovative plan of study that encourages lifelong learning in the practice of nurse anesthesia and prepares them for the national board certification exam administered by the National Board on Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) to become a CRNA.

Participating clinical sites are located throughout North Carolina and offer our graduate registered nurse anesthesia residents’ exposure to all types of anesthesia services including general anesthesia, monitored anesthesia care, regional anesthesia, and pain management.

Specialty anesthesia rotations in routine to complex cardiovascular, neurology, obstetrics, pediatrics, and regional anesthesia surgical cases prepares students to practice in a wide range of specialties and administer anesthesia to all age groups and special populations.

APPLY NOW – Application deadline is October 1st

WHY CHOOSE OUR PROGRAM?

Curriculum:

36-month doctoral graduate study program consists of a total of 107 credits of didactic and clinical coursework over 9 semesters with a May entry and completion.

Affordable, integrated curricular design with rich simulation, practicum and classroom instruction in state of the art facilities.

Course delivery includes campus, online, and hybrid formats.

Campus based courses are taught at the Union Square Campus.

Students are exposed to excellent didactic and clinical instruction and gain a wide variety of clinical experiences that consistently exceed the requirements for certification eligibility.  

Clinical Education Results In:

Approximately 1,000 cases (40 percent greater than the minimum required) 
Greater than 3,000 clinical hours (50 percent greater than the minimum required) 
Rotation to over 28 clinical sites located within North Carolina 
Clinical sites include prestigious institutions such as Cone Health, Novant Health, UNC Hospitals, UNC-Rex Health, WakeMed Health & Hospitals, Duke Raleigh Hospital, and Duke Regional Hospital plus many others located to the east and west of Raleigh and Greensboro

Class of 2023 Stats:

100%

first time pass rate on the NCE 

100%

employment within 6 months of graduation 

0%

ATTRITION

Additional Information:

One of six nursing anesthesia programs in North Carolina, the UNC Greensboro School of Nursing offers a concentration in Nurse Anesthesia leading to a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree.
Graduates of the program have advanced clinical skills to optimize health outcomes in the provision of quality anesthesia care and to assume leadership positions in anesthesia nursing practice. CRNA positions offer great flexibility with a variety of work settings including, but not limited to: hospitals, clinics, ambulatory surgery centers. Graduates of this program are prepared for the National Certification Exam for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA).
Please Note:  All anesthesia courses are held at:

The Union Square Campus (USC)
124 E. Gate City Blvd.
Greensboro, NC 27406
The USC building is a state-of-the-art nursing education building outfitted with technology classrooms, labs, simulation space and an Operating Room (OR) suite. Additional amenities include easy access parking, student lockers, student lounge with refrigerators and microwave, and student study areas.

Program Accreditation:

The UNCG nurse anesthesia concentration is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). The COA is located at:

10275 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 906
Rosemont, IL 60018-5603
Phone: 224-275-9130
COA website: https://coacrna.org
In October 2023, the program received a 10-year continuation of accreditation, the maximum accreditation period attainable through the COA, through October 2024.
For a link of all COA-accredited programs, please see- https://www.coacrna.org/programs-fellowships/crna-school-search/

See Program Accreditation for additional information.

PROGRAM DETAILS

Applicants to the Nurse Anesthesia Concentration must have or provide the following:

Degree requirements:

Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a program accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency.
Entry level MSN also accepted

GPA:

Minimum 3.2 GPA (cumulative).
Undergraduate science grades are reviewed carefully.
Science GPA minimum 3.0

GRE:

Completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) within five years of application.
Scores should be competitive in the > 50% percentile range.
This requirement may be waived for applicants who have earned master’s degrees at the Program’s discretion

Nursing License:

Current unrestricted licensure as a registered nurse in one of the 50 states or validated credentials by CGFNS for international students. Residents of North Carolina must hold unrestricted North Carolina licensure as a registered nurse.

Certifications:

Basic Life Support (BLS); Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) & Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification must be from the American Heart Association. ACLS alone does not meet the BLS certification requirement.
PALS course completion is preferred prior to the time of interview. However, as long as the PALS course date has been scheduled and documentation is provided by the applicant, we will schedule an applicant to interview.

Required Course Work:

Health Assessment:
- Satisfactory completion of an undergraduate Health Assessment course.
- In an undergraduate Health Assessment course, students are introduced to the body’s organ systems and functions and must show mastery through hands on demonstration of physical assessment skills for each organ system. 
- Course content should include collecting and interpreting verbal and observational data from the patient and/or family/caregiver, interpreting lab and other noninvasive and invasive testing data, collecting and interpreting patient history data, and interpreting data collected from the hands-on physical assessment of the patient.
- If you have taken a course that is not listed as a Health Assessment course, specifically, UNCG will need to review the course syllabus and the course description for the course you completed in your undergraduate nursing program to determine if it meets the prerequisite criteria.
- There are no expiration dates for prerequisite course work.

Chemistry:
- Satisfactory completion of undergraduate Chemistry (three semester hours minimum). Biochemistry may be accepted in instances where an undergraduate Chemistry course was not part of the plan of study for the degree.
- Chemistry courses must meet undergraduate GEP (general education program) requirements and include a lab component.
- High School AP coursework and “testing out” at college acceptance is not accepted

Statistics:
- Satisfactory completion of an undergraduate course in Statistics. 
- High School AP coursework and “testing out” at college acceptance is not accepted.
- Statistic courses must meet undergraduate GEP requirements

Clinical experience:

A minimum of one year of continuous full-time acute care experience in a critical care setting – adult experience is required- MICU, SICU, CCU, CTSU, Neuro ICU, etc.
PACU and ED experience is not considered to be acute care experience in a critical care setting.

Shadowing:

A minimum of 2 shadowing experiences with a CRNA.
The CRNA should document the type of shadowing experience or experiences, sign and date and give to the applicant.

CCRN certification:

Applicants will not be considered for admission until they have received their CCRN certification.

References:

Three (3) references are required as part of the application process- 1 from an immediate supervisor and 2 from colleagues
References should come from individuals who work with you on a daily basis and can attest to your work ethic and experience.

Admission to the nurse anesthesia concentration program is competitive. Prior to enrollment, all students accepted to the program must furnish, before enrollment, complete immunizations, vaccinations, licensure, TB testing, flu shots, drug screen, and background check as requested by the UNC Greensboro Graduate School.

To help ensure a diverse and equitable admission process UNCG School of Nursing utilizes a “Holistic admission” process that considers a number of factors for admission that may not be captured in a traditional admission process (such as prior experience as a nurse and involvement with professional and community organizations).

The UNCG DNP nurse anesthesia concentration program does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion, creed, veteran status, any protected classes, or any factor protected under state or federal law in its programs or activities. This is required to maintain our accreditation with the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policy:

Linda Stone, DNP, CRNA
Program Administrator/Concentration Coordinator
UNCG Graduate School of Nursing
DNP Nurse Anesthesia Concentration
124 East Gate City Blvd
Greensboro, NC 27406
336-553-6084

The Occupational Safety and Health Act, which applies to the clinical sites where students are required to work, specifically states that religious exemption from medical examinations, immunizations, or treatment does not apply for healthcare provider if these examinations, immunizations, or treatments are necessary for the protection of the health and safety of others.

Applicants must submit an application to the Graduate School online portal with the appropriate application fee prior to the admissions deadline.
Applications must include:
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
- Completion of the Community Standards and Campus Safety Questionnaire. The UNC System requires all applicants to answer questions regarding community standards.
- A curriculum vitae or resume that contains your educational degrees and work, employment history, membership or offices in organizations, and community service activities.
A list of three academic and/or professional references. (1 from an immediate supervisor and 2 from colleagues. References should come from individuals who work with you on a daily basis and can attest to your work ethic and experience.)
A personal statement of 400 words or less that discusses the applicant’s nursing background and discusses future goals.
An interview is required for applicants.
Nonresidential international students are required to participate in a telephone interview.

The UNC Greensboro DNP NA Concentration Respects the Following Rights:

APPLICANTS HAVE THE RIGHT TO:

Be treated with respect and to expect their application to be reviewed fairly and without discrimination.
To receive accurate information about the program, the University and clinical sites.
To be informed of graduate success on the National Certification Examination.
To speak with faculty and/or students currently in the program.
To receive a letter from the Program Administrator about the admission decision.

APPLICANTS HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY:

Of ensuring the application and supporting documentation is accurate and complete and received by the University and the program.
For notifying the program if he/she wishes to withdraw from the application process.
For assessing and exploring financial aid, monetary stipends or monetary clinical work contracts.
For accepting or refusing to accept an offer of a position in the program.
For accepting or refusing an alternate position in the program.
For notifying the program if he/she has accepted a position in the program and has a change of plans that prevent them from enrolling.

FACULTY HAS THE RIGHT:

To be treated with respect by students.
To be treated with respect by the program administrator and other faculty/staff.
To know the objective(s) for the course that he/she will teach.
To remove a student from the classroom or the clinical area if the integrity of the class or the safety of the patient becomes compromised.
To see course evaluations and to discuss the evaluations with the program administrator.
To provide feedback regarding the program, curriculum, and students and make suggestions for improvements.

FACULTY HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY:

To provide feedback regarding the program, curriculum, and students and make suggestions for improvements.
To demonstrate respect for students and the learning process.
To evaluate student performance in the classroom and in the clinical area.
To evaluate the success of teaching strategies.
To evaluate the success of evaluation methods.
To be prepared for lectures.
To have a good understanding of the material that he/she is teaching.
To place patient safety first and above all else.

STUDENTS HAVE THE RIGHT:

To be treated with respect and as a member of the program and the clinical site.
To have the educational process viewed as an interchange between student and instructor.
To meet faculty during appropriate office hours.
To expect faculty to be prepared for class/clinical.
To have syllabi for each didactic and clinical course with the objectives of the course or clinical experience.
To fair and timely evaluation of progress and to receive constructive feedback for improvement.
To provide feedback in a timely and professional manner regarding the program, curriculum, clinical experience, and faculty.
To provide suggestions for improving the program, curriculum, clinical experience and faculty.

STUDENTS HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY:

To provide feedback in a timely and professional manner regarding the program, curriculum clinical experience, and faculty.
To provide suggestions for improving the program, curriculum, clinical experience and faculty.
To have syllabi for each didactic and clinical course and to know the objectives of the course or clinical experience and to make every effort to attain the objectives.
To complete all projects and assignments on time.
To seek learning experiences and be available for these experiences even if attaining them is outside of scheduled times.
To respect faculty, classmates, staff, and other members of the perioperative team.
To place patient safety first and above all else.

PATIENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

UNCG DNP Nurse Anesthesia Concentration shall ensure that students are current with OSHA and HIPAA regulations each year of enrollment. Additionally, the Rights and Responsibilities of Patients for each clinical site are included in the UNCG DNP Nurse Anesthesia Student Handbook. The patient rights for each site are reviewed with students each year; students are advised that the rights for each clinical site are in the student handbook. Students shall sign a statement that these rights have been discussed with them.

THE PROGRAM HAS THE RIGHT:

To expect timely and accurate information from the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs.
To expect accurate information from applicants.
To expect accurate information from the University and the clinical sites.
To expect faculty to be prepared for class/clinical.
To expect notification if an applicant who has accepted a position in the program has a change of plans that prevent him/her from enrolling.
To remove a student from the program who has not met criteria for remaining.
To accept feedback regarding the program, curriculum, and students as well as suggestions for improvement.
To expect an evaluation of student performance in the classroom and the clinical area.
To expect faculty to have a good understanding of the material that he/she is teaching.
To expect students to complete all projects and assignments on time.
To expect students and faculty to place patient safety first and above all else.

THE PROGRAM HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY:

To provide a safe learning environment.

To have syllabi for each didactic and clinical course with the objectives of the course or clinical experience.
To provide feedback in a timely and professional manner regarding the program, curriculum, clinical experience and faculty.
To improve the program based on evaluations and suggestions.
To seek additional learning experiences and additional clinical sites in order to better the educational process.
To respect faculty, students, and everyone who is associated with the program.
To respond to applicants in a timely and accurate manner.
To council faculty and students in a timely and appropriate manner.
To abide by the standards and guidelines of the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs.
To provide students with information necessary to take the National Certification Examination.
To provide students with the courses and clinical experience necessary to take the National Certification Examination.

THE CONDUCTING AND AFFILIATING INSTITUTIONS HAVE THE RIGHT:

To expect accurate information about all aspects of the Program.
Where applicable, to expect orientation to the evaluation process.
To have access to both student and faculty handbooks.
To have access to a summary of evaluations related to them for continued growth and improvement.
To timely information when requested.
To have accurate and current contracts.
To have access to all program policies in which these entities are involved.
To uphold the Programs responsibilities as spelled out in contracts.

THE CONDUCTING AND AFFILIATING INSTITUTIONS HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY:

To provide courses and clinical experience for students.

To provide instructors for core courses and clinical education.

To provide accurate information to the Program.

To provide evaluation and suggestions to the Program for its improvement and growth.

To provide copies of policies relative to the Program and students.

To provide a safe learning environment.

To put patient safety above all else.

THE RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ACCREDITING AGENCY:

As long as the University of North Carolina Greensboro DNP Program, Nurse Anesthesia Concentration (the Program), is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), the COA has the right to receive a self-study in a timely fashion prior to an accreditation visit, make an accreditation visit, to receive an annual report on or before the due date, to receive fees and expenses owed by the Program in a timely fashion, receive any requested information in a timely fashion, and have its visitors and staff treated with courtesy and respect. The COA has the right to expect the Program to comply with its standards and guidelines and its policies and procedures. It also has the right to expect the Program to attend workshops or other educational sessions required by the COA of the Program. The COA also has the right to make unannounced visits when deemed necessary.

The COA has the responsibility to inform the Program of changes in the standards and guidelines and its policies and procedures. It has the responsibility to make an honest and professional accreditation visit and to share with the Program the results of that visit. The COA has the responsibility to respond to requests and questions from the Program in a timely fashion

Explore the specific degree requirements for the nurse anesthesia concentration in the UNCG Catalog.

PLAN OF STUDY

Course Semester	Course Number – Course Title [Credits]	Clinical Hours
YEAR 1
Summer	• NUR 751 Pharmacology of Nurse Anesthesia I [2 cr.] • NUR 728 Physics, Chemistry, and Mechanics in Anesthesia [2 cr.] • NUR 729 Health Assessment for Nurse Anesthesia [1 cr.] • NUR 727 Basic Principles of Nurse Anesthesia Practice I [2 cr.] • NUR 819 Holistic Approaches to Leadership [3 cr.] Total Session Credit Hours – 10
Fall	• NUR 734 Basic Principles of Nurse Anesthesia Practice II [2 cr.] • NUR 727L Basic Principles of Nurse Anesthesia Practice LAB [1 cr.] • NUR 729L Health Assessment for Nurse Anesthesia LAB [1 cr.] • NUR 728L Physics, Chemistry, and Mechanics in Anesthesia LAB [1 cr.] • NUR 730 Neuropathology of Nurse Anesthesia [3 cr.] • NUR 824 Applied Theory in Advancing Practice [3 cr.] • NUR 771A Clinical Practicum in Nurse Anesthesia I [2 cr.] Total Session Credit Hours – 13	120 Hrs – (NUR 771A)*
Spring	• NUR 714 Foundations of Informatics and Computational Systems [3 cr.] • NUR 732 Advanced Principles of Nurse Anesthesia Practice [3 cr.] • NUR 732L Advanced Principles of Nurse Anesthesia Practice LAB [1 cr.] • NUR 771B Clinical Practicum in Nurse Anesthesia II [6 cr.] • NUR 740 Professional Aspects of Nurse Anesthesia [1 cr.] Total Session Credit Hours – 14	360 Hrs – (NUR 7171B)*

Course Semester	Course Number – Course Title [Credits]	Clinical Hours
YEAR 2
Summer	• NUR 772 Clinical Practicum in Nurse Anesthesia III [7 cr.] • NUR 705 Scientific Approaches to Advance Healthcare [3 cr.] Total Session Credit Hours – 10	420 Hrs – (NUR 772)*
Fall	• NUR 753 Cardiovascular Pathophysiology for Nurse Anesthesia [3 cr.] • NUR 754 Pharmacology of Nurse Anesthesia II [2 cr.] • NUR 773A Clinical Practicum in Nurse Anesthesia IV [6 cr.] • NUR 818 Core Course Biostatistical Basis for Decision-Making [3 cr.] Total Session Credit Hours – 14	360 Hrs – (NUR 773A)*
Spring	• NUR 756 Respiratory Pathophysiology for Nurse Anesthesia [3 cr.] • NUR 757 Pharmacology of Nurse Anesthesia III [1 cr.] • NUR 890A Scholarly Seminar I: Project Development [2 cr.] • NUR 773B Clinical Practicum in Nurse Anesthesia V [7 cr.] Total Session Credit Hours – 13	420 Hrs – (NUR 773B)*

Course Semester	Course Number – Course Title [Credits]	Clinical Hours
YEAR 3
Summer	• NUR 774 Clinical Practicum in Nurse Anesthesia VI [7 cr.] • NUR 744 Anesthesia Crisis Resource Management [1 cr.] • NUR 759 Pharmacology for Nurse Anesthesia IV [1 cr.] Total Session Credit Hours – 9	420 Hrs – (NUR 774)*
Fall	• NUR 890B Scholarly Seminar II: Project Development [2 cr.] • NUR 775A Clinical Practicum in Nurse Anesthesia VII [8 cr.] • NUR 758 Pathophysiology of Abdominal Systems for Nurse Anesthesia [2 cr.] • NUR 820 Seminar for Nurse Anesthesia Advanced Practice [1 cr.] Total Session Credit Hours – 13	480 Hrs – (NUR 775A)*
Spring	• NUR 890C Scholarly Seminar III: Evaluation, Conclusion, & Dissemination [2 cr.] • NUR 775B Clinical Practicum in Nurse Anesthesia VIII [7 cr.] • NUR 797 Integrated Clinical Concepts [2 cr.] Total Session Credit Hours – 11	420 Hrs – (NUR 775B)*

Students receive the required clinical practicum experience under the instruction/supervision of CRNAs and anesthesiologists. The hours of practicum vary in order to offer a wide variety of clinical experiences and to enable the student to correlate theory and practice. Graduate and clinical clock hours average approximately 35 hours per week per semester. Additional time is required for preoperative and postoperative visits, care planning, and independent study. The time committed to study, class, and practice may consume over 60 hours per week.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)

The time committed to study, class, and clinical practice may consume over 60 hours per week. The University encourages students to plan finances appropriately, before entering the program, so you will not have to work while enrolled in the program. Students enrolled in the DNP Nurse Anesthesia Program are discouraged from working as an RN. Enrolled students shall not work as a nurse anesthetist while in the program.

Critical care experience needed in order to be considered a successful applicant would be full-time employment in an acute critical care unit such as CVICU, Neuro ICU, Surgical ICU or Medical ICU. Emergency Room, PACU, or Operating Room experience is not considered to be critical care experience. RNs working in these areas are not involved in the management and treatment of hemodynamic changes on a routine basis. Pediatric ICU and Neonatal ICU experience is accepted as long as the applicant also has experience in adult critical care. In addition, the applicant should be able to calculate drug dosages and vasoactive drips without the use of an IV pump or hemodynamic monitor.

No, all applicants must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a program accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting body.

No, deposits paid to the University are nonrefundable. A $3,000.00 deposit is required upon acceptance into the program and is applied towards the fees payable to UNCG .

First-year students begin clinical rotation beginning in the second semester. The clinical schedules will be prepared in 4-12 week blocks depending on the level of the student in the program. The first rotation is approximately 12 weeks in length.

Clinical rotations are assigned based upon student case requirements and not according to the students’ geographical location/residence. The UNCG DNP Nurse Anesthesia program has clinical sites located throughout North Carolina. Our graduate registered nurse anesthesia residents rotate through the program’s official sites only. The program does not allow students to be placed in only one clinical site near their respective home.

Yes, graduate registered nurse anesthesia residents experience low and high- fidelity simulation experiences and are exposed to clinical scenarios throughout the program. The program has a large inventory of airway, regional, and CVP practice manikins.

Connect with us

For general questions about the program, please reach out to:

Linda Stone, DNP, MSN, CRNA

Nurse Anesthesia Concentration Coordinator/Program Administrator
336-553-6083

 [email protected]

Christine Kress, PhD, MSN, CRNA

Nurse Anesthesia Assistant Concentration Coordinator/Assistant Program Administrator
336-553-6083

[email protected]

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Spartan Alert

Program Overview

WHY CHOOSE OUR PROGRAM?

Curriculum:

Clinical Education Results In:

Class of 2023 Stats:

100%

100%

0%

Additional Information:

Program Accreditation:

See Program Accreditation for additional information.

PROGRAM DETAILS

PLAN OF STUDY

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)

Connect with us

Linda Stone, DNP, MSN, CRNA

Christine Kress, PhD, MSN, CRNA

Request More Information

RESOURCES:

Nurse Anesthesia

Program Overview

WHY CHOOSE OUR PROGRAM?

Curriculum:

Clinical Education Results In:

Class of 2023 Stats:

100%

100%

0%

Additional Information:

Program Accreditation:

See Program Accreditation for additional information.

PROGRAM DETAILS

PLAN OF STUDY

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)

Will I be allowed to work as a nurse while I am attending your school?

What does the DNP NA Program accept as “critical care experience”?

I have a bachelor’s degree in an area other than nursing. Can I apply for admission to the DNP NA Program?

Is my deposit refundable once I have been accepted into the program?

When do students begin clinical rotations and how long do they last?

Can I only be assigned to a clinical rotation located near my home?

Does the UNCG DNP NA program offer simulation experiences?

Connect with us

Linda Stone, DNP, MSN, CRNA

Christine Kress, PhD, MSN, CRNA

Request More Information

RESOURCES: