Nurse Anesthesia BSN to DNP Concentration

The Nurse Anesthesia BSN to DNP Degree Program prepares registered nurses for entry into anesthesia practice. Through an integrated program of classroom and clinical instruction, students develop the didactic knowledge base and clinical skills necessary for safe and effective practice. Graduates are prepared to administer a full range of anesthetics to a wide variety of patients across the life span.

Students rotate through numerous clinical sites in Pittsburgh, the surrounding region and now more distant sites to enhance clinical experiences. Specialty rotations in cardiothoracic, neurosurgical, dental, organ transplantation, pediatrics, obstetrics, and electroconvulsive therapy enrich the program. The clinical program also incorporates rotations to community hospitals to more broadly prepare the graduate for practice in diverse settings. This is a time-intensive course of study and prospective students should consult the department for further details.

Nurse Anesthesia Curriculum

This major is offered in a full-time format over 36 months, and classes begin each January. Part-time study is also available. The curriculum design integrates classroom and clinical courses and consists of 85 credits. Clinical practice begins in the third term and increases in both intensity and frequency throughout the course of study.  All students complete scholarly an project in an area of interest. Clinical practice in the last term is five days per week and is interspersed with clinical conferences and preparation sessions for the Certification Examination.