Nurse Anesthesia Program: ��ǿ��, Greater Cincinnati Region

Ignite Your Career! Become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.

The Nurse Anesthesia Program (NAP) is a specialization of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) offered by the College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) in the School of Nursing at ��ǿ�� (��ǿ��) in Highland Heights, Kentucky.

The NAP offers two tracks:

BSN-DNP Track which is a 36-month, 106-semester-hour curriculum culminating in a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) nurse anesthesia specialization with a population focus of the family/individual across a lifespan.

Post-Master's CRNA Track which offers advanced standing in the DNP Program for master's prepared CRNAs. With advanced standing, the master's prepared CRNA will complete 37-semester-credits. The required course work can be completed in six (6) semesters and completely online with no campus attendance required. Upon completion of the program the graduates are awarded a DNP degree.

Graduates are eligible for the National Board of Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) National Certification Exam (NCE) and to assume the role of an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).

Our people

Judy Tenhundfeld, DNAP, APRN-CRNA, MSN

Clinical Professor

Nurse Anesthesia Program Director

Jennifer McLeod, DNAP, APRN-CRNA, MSNA

Associate Clinical Professor

Assistant Program Director/Nurse Anesthesia Simulation Coordinator
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Courtney Hamilton, DNP, MSN, RN

Associate Clinical Professor

Didactic Faculty/DNP Project Manager
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Debra Barber, DNP, APRN-CRNA

Assistant Clinical Professor

Didactic Faculty
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Charles D Myers III, DNP, APRN-CRNA
Didactic Faculty
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Billy Sanders, DNP, APRN-CRNA, MSN
Didactic Faculty
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Amanda Wisecup, DNP, APRN-CRNA
Didactic & Simulation Faculty
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What is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist?

The CRNA credential dates to 1956 and nurse anesthetists have been delivering safe anesthesia care for more than 150 years. The first documented administration of anesthesia by a nurse was in the Battle of Bull Run in the Civil War by Catherine T. Lawrence.

Today, CRNAs administer approximately 50 million anesthetics each year in the United States

CRNAs are the primary anesthesia provider in rural America as well as in the United States military. CRNAs provide anesthesia services including obstetrical, pain management, surgical, trauma, outpatient in every practice setting in collaboration with surgeons, dentists, podiatrists, and other healthcare providers.

SOURCE: .

More information about a is available from the .

BSN - DNP Admission Requirements

Minimum requirements for students to the BSN to DNP NAP

Meets all ��ǿ�� Graduate Admission Requirements.
Submission of online application prior to deadline per university policy.
Baccalaureate or higher degree in nursing from a fully accredited nursing program.
Unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse (licenses in KY and OH required prior to admission).
One year minimum full-time of critical care* experience as RN within the past 2 years with employer verification. (Employment Verification Form)
GPA of 3.00 or higher on 4.0 scale on all college course work.
Cumulative science GPA 3.00 or higher on 4.0 scale with associated lab course.
Pre-requisite courses requiring GPA of 3.0 or higher: Statistics; Anatomy; Physiology; Chemistry; Microbiology. Prospective students who do not meet the above criteria are strongly encouraged to retake the course prior to applying.
Graduate level writing skills.
Three professional recommendations/references are required. Please use the ��ǿ�� Graduate reference form.
Goal statement (see description below in FAQ's)
CCRN **(please see below)**, ACLS, BLS certification required for application. PALS required prior to admission.
Shadowing experience documentation with either a CRNA or anesthesiologist.
Review the Program Technical Standards.
Successful interview with ��ǿ�� Committee for selected applicants.
Non-refundable matriculation fee of $1,000 if accepted into the program. Matriculation fee will be applied to student’s account on admission. If applicant does not enroll in program, the matriculation fee is forfeited.
After acceptance documentation of clinical requirements including immunizations, physical examination, background check, drug test and other documentation as required.

**CCRN Certification Admission Requirement: If you are lacking the CCRN requirement, please begin the application process to the NAP now, the CCRN certification documentation may be added at a later date. The deadline for all admission materials is August 16, 2024.

*Critical care is defined by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) as: “Critical care experience must be obtained in a critical care area within the United States, its territories or a US military hospital outside of the United States. During this experience, the registered professional nurse has developed critical decision making and psychomotor skills, competency in patient assessment, and the ability to use and interpret advanced monitoring techniques. A critical care area is defined as one where, on a routine basis, the registered professional nurse manages one or more of the following: invasive hemodynamic monitors (e.g., pulmonary artery, central venous pressure, and arterial catheters), cardiac assist devices, mechanical ventilation, and vasoactive infusions. Examples of critical care units may include but are not limited to: surgical intensive care, cardiothoracic intensive care, coronary intensive care, medical intensive care, pediatric intensive care…..” (Standards for Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Programs, Practice Doctorate, 2016)

Program Technical Standards
Technical standards define physical and other attributes required to be successful in the nurse anesthesia profession. Applicants must review the program technical standards (pdf) and acknowledge having reviewed them during the application process. Upon admission, applicants will be asked to verify they can meet the standards or request consideration in meeting the standards through the ��ǿ�� office.

MS - DNP Admission Requirements

Minimum requirements for students to the MS-DNP NAP

Meets all ��ǿ�� Graduate Admission Requirements.
Submission of completed online application prior to deadline including all official college/university transcripts.
Master's degree or higher in nursing, nurse anesthesia, or a related field from a fully regionally accredited college or university in the United States.
BSN from a fully regionally accredited college or university in the United States if master's degree is not in nursing.
Completion of a nurse anesthesia educational program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).
Current unencumbered license to practice as a Registered Nurse in state of residence.
Current unencumbered APRN licensure, or other authorization to practice as a nurse anesthetist, in state of residence.
Current certification or recertification by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA).
Cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher on 4.0 scale on all college coursework.
Pre-requisite courses (graduate or undergraduate):
a. Statistics equivalent to ��ǿ�� STA 205 or above with GPA of 3.0 or a 4.0 scale.
b. Research equivalent to ��ǿ�� NRS 320 or above with GPA of 3.0 or greater on a 4.0 scale.
Graduate level writing skills as demonstrated by:
a. Two (2) page writing sample identifying personal goals related to the ��ǿ�� NAP program goals, as well as identifying DNP Project interest.
b. Current CV
Professional recommendation/reference supporting competency as a CRNA.
Successful interview with ��ǿ�� Committee for selected applicants via telephone or in person.
Non-refundable matriculation fee of $1,000 if accepted into the program. Matriculation fee will be applied to student's account on admission. If applicant does not enroll in program, the matriculation fee is forfeited.

Course Transfer Information

A maximum of 9 semester credit hours of doctoral-level work may be transferred from another institution to be applied toward the DNP degree requirements. The institution must be approved for graduate credit by the Graduate School of ��ǿ��.

All courses to be transferred must be letter-graded with a grade of B or better and must be demonstrated to relate directly to the degree being sought. The transferred grades will not be computed in the student’s grade-point average.

Students must have taken the courses prior to admission of the DNP program. Transfer courses must be at the doctoral level equivalent of what is being offered in the DNP Program. Courses can be no more than eight years old by the time the student graduates from the DNP program. Students wishing to complete and transfer in courses while currently enrolled in the DNP Program must first obtain approval.

The following courses will be eligible for consideration for transfer into DNP program upon receiving the course description and syllabus:

Epidemiology — 3 credit hours
Health Care Policy — 3 credit hours
Informatics for Advanced Nursing Practice — 3 credit hours

Additional courses may be considered for transfer only through the approval of the NAP program director.

Frequently Asked Questions

Attrition, NCE Pass Rates, & Employment Rates

Click for our current Attrition, NCE Pass Rates, & Employment Rates

How long is the program?

The BSN-DNP program is 3 years (36 months) or 9 semesters in length requiring 106 credit hours.

Our Post-Master's CRNA is 37 semester credits or 6 semesters.

When does the program start?

The program will start in May, at the beginning of the summer semester

What degree will the program award?

These programs are designed to grant a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with a specialization in anesthesia. Graduates are qualified to take the National Board for Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) National Certification Exam (NCE) and practice as a APRN in the role of the CRNA.

How many students are accepted each year?

We will admit up to 20 students each year to the BSN-DNP track. The Post-Master's CRNA Track will accept 5 students each year.

What are the tuition and fees?

Click here to view a list of tuition and fees for BSN-DNP Program

Click here to view a list of tuition and fees for the Post-Masters to DNP Program

**Students in the following counties in OH will be charged the KY Resident Rate: Adams, Brown, Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Fayette, Hamilton, Highland, or Warren.

**Students in the following counties in IN will be charged the KY Resident Rate: Dearborn, Franklin, Jefferson, Ohio, Ripley, & Switzerland.

What are the requirements for admission?

Admission requirements are listed under ��ǿ�� Process above.

Are pre-requisite courses required for admission?

Yes: BSN - DNP program: Statistics; Anatomy; Physiology; Chemistry; Microbiology with a cumulative science GPA of 3.0 or greater. Your statistics course should contain content similar to STA 205 at ��ǿ��. Chemistry pre-requisites should contain content similar to CHE 115 and CHE 115L.
Yes: MS - DNP: Statistics equivalent to ��ǿ�� STA 205 or above with GPA of 3.0 or greater on a 4.0 scale. Research equivalent to ��ǿ�� NRS 320 or above with GPA of 3.0 or greater on a 4.0 scale.

Is a baccalaureate degree required for admission?

A baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited program is required for all applicants to the BSN to DNP Program. The institution awarding the baccalaureate must be accredited by the ACEN, NLNAC, or CCNE.

How many years of RN experience are required and in what areas?

One year minimum full-time of critical care experience as RN within the past 2 years with employer verification (Employment Verification Form).

Critical care is defined by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) as: “Critical care experience must be obtained in a critical care area within the United States, its territories or a US military hospital outside of the United States. During this experience, the registered professional nurse has developed critical decision making and psychomotor skills, competency in patient assessment, and the ability to use and interpret advanced monitoring techniques. A critical care area is defined as one where, on a routine basis, the registered professional nurse manages one or more of the following: invasive hemodynamic monitors (e.g., pulmonary artery, central venous pressure, and arterial catheters), cardiac assist devices, mechanical ventilation, and vasoactive infusions. Examples of critical care units may include but are not limited to: surgical intensive care, cardiothoracic intensive care, coronary intensive care, medical intensive care, pediatric intensive care…..” (Standards for Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Programs, Practice Doctorate, 2015)

Areas not considered as critical care include, but not limited to: Neonatal ICU; PACU; Emergency Department; Cardiac Cath Lab; Operating Room.

Applicants should obtain the highest level of acuity experience as possible.

Do I have to obtain a Kentucky RN license to apply for the program?

All applicants must possess a valid, unencumbered RN license from at least one of the 50 United States. Applicants are required to submit, at the time of application, a copy of their valid, unencumbered RN license from the state in which they currently practice.

Kentucky and Ohio Registered Nursing licenses are not required for the application process, however both Kentucky and Ohio RN licenses are required before entry into the program. Licenses in both Ohio and Kentucky are required prior to starting the program and must be maintained throughout the program.

My state's Board of Nursing no longer issues paper copies of RN licenses. What documentation do I send for my license?

Most states are no longer issuing paper copies of licenses, we will accept a printout from your state's Board of Nursing website with the license details (name, license type, issue date, expiration date, and disciplinary action).

What are the GRE requirements?

The GRE is not required.

How can I find out more information concerning ��ǿ�� Admission Requirements and the Application Process?

For information concerning admissions and the application process, please visit the Office of Graduate Education

When will I be notified if I am granted an interview?

Applicants will be notified via email if they are selected for an interview in mid to late September. Interviews will occur in October. Not all applicants will be interviewed. Due to the competitive nature of the admission process, meeting minimum standards does not guarantee admission. All applicants will be screened and the most qualified will be invited for interview. Strong applicants will be reviewed and considered for early interview.

Is financial aid available?

Yes, financial assistance is available.

Do I need to have CCRN certification before applying?

Yes, the CCRN is required for the BSN - DNP application.

I don't work with pediatric patients. Do I still need to submit PALS certification?

You do not need a PALS certification to apply but all students accepted into the program must have a current PALS certification as well as BLS and ACLS (American Heart Association) before starting the program and remain current throughout the program.

Will I be able to work part-time during the program due to time commitment?

Due to heavy course and clinical load, students are not encouraged to work. Students can expect to spend on average 64 hours each week committed to anesthesia studies. Starting in the fourth semester, the student will enter the anesthesia practicum courses and will not follow the university calendar for clinical practicum courses. Students in the practicum courses are required to work off shifts and take in-house calls, creating a further demand on their time commitment. Didactic courses do follow the university calendar.

Students may choose to seek outside employment only if they are maintaining satisfactory academic progress.

If I am accepted for admission to the program, will I be required to make a deposit to hold my position?

Yes, a non-refundable matriculation fee of $1,000 is required if accepted into the program. The matriculation fee will be applied to student’s account on admission. If the applicant does not enroll in program, the matriculation fee is forfeited.

Does your program accept transfer students from other nurse anesthesia programs?

Request to transfer from other nurse anesthesia programs will be considered by the Program Director on a case by case basis. To be considered for transfer:

The student must meet all admission criteria
Support transfer request with a letter of support from previous Program Director
Per policy, no more than 9 hours may be considered with a minimum grade of B in all courses
No anesthesia specialty courses will be accepted for transfer.

Will ��ǿ�� offer a doctorate degree-completion program for CRNAs who already have a master's degree?

Yes, as of January 2020 ��ǿ�� will offer an advanced standing in the DNP Program for master's prepared CRNAs.

I have a bachelor's degree but I am not a nurse; can I still become a nurse anesthetist?

You must be a Registered Nurse and meet all admission criteria to apply.

What grade point average is acceptable?

Please review the admission criteria, which includes information on minimum standards for both overall GPA (3.0) and science GPA (3.0).

Why am I required to shadow an anesthesia provider and how do I verify that I have shadowed?

Applicants are required to shadow with either a CRNA or an anesthesiologist to gain an understanding of the nurse anesthesia role through both observation and discussion. Shadowing a CRNA is preferred to learn the role. Applicants are responsible for arranging their own shadow experience and ensuring that the anesthesia provider completes the Shadowing Form. The Shadowing Form must be submitted with your application.

Is part-time study available?

No, the program is designed as a full-time study only.

Is the program online?

Only the DNP core courses are online. Anesthesia specialty courses are on-site at ��ǿ��. Select Anesthesia specialty courses may be offered as hybrid.

What clinical sites are available?

Students rotate to various clinical sites in the Greater Cincinnati area with the opportunity for clinical placement in Lexington and/or Louisville, Kentucky. Rotation is determined by clinical case requirements.

Clinical sites include: St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, Edgewood, Florence, and Fort Thomas; Bethesda North; Good Samaritan; Mercy West Hospital; Mercy Jewish, The Christ Hospital; and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in the greater Cincinnati area. As well as, Saint Joseph Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky and Norton Audubon and Jewish Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky.

Responsibilities in Clinical Area: Students and faculty must adhere to all ��ǿ��, NAP, CHHS, and clinical affiliate policies and procedures while participating in the program on the clinical site. This includes adhering to the while participating in the program at all St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center sites (Edgewood, Fort Thomas, Florence as well as the SurgiCenter sites Edgewood and Crestview Hills) and other Catholic Health Care Service Hospitals.

The Admission Criteria requires three (3) professional recommendations. Are these written letters or forms?

This is a completed Graduate Reference form. Once complete, it should be sent to the Office of Graduate Education. Suggested recommenders include: Nurse Manager (the person responsible for your performance evaluation); an individual in a leadership position who can speak to your clinical abilities (i.e. an APRN, CNS, nurse educator, medical director); or an academic faculty member who has personally taught the applicant recently. Recommendations from friends, relatives, or peer co-workers are not acceptable.

What is a Goal Statement: Please refer to the . Your Goal Statement should be less than 500 words and upon completion should be submitted directly to the Office of Graduate Education. If you are reapplying following an unsuccessful application, it is recommended that you revise the goal statement to highlight the changes you have made to become a better applicant.

End of Program Outcomes

Through evidence based practice, the graduate must synthesize knowledge, skills and competencies in patient safety, perianesthesia care, critical thinking, communication, leadership, and professional role as demonstrated by the ability to:

Patient Safety

Be vigilant in delivery of patient care.
Refrain from engaging in extraneous activities that abandon or minimize vigilance while providing direct patient care (e.g.,texting, reading,emailing, etc.)
Conduct a comprehensive equipment check.
Protect patients from iatrogenic complications.

Perianesthesia

Provide individualized care throughout the perianesthesia continuum.
Deliver culturally competent perianesthesia care.
Provide anesthesia services to all patients across the lifespan.
Perform a comprehensive history and physical assessment.
Administer general anesthesia to patients with a variety of physical conditions.
Administer general anesthesia for a variety of surgical and medically related procedures.
Administer and manage a variety of regional anesthetics.
Maintain current certification in ACLS and PALS.

Critical Thinking

Apply knowledge to practice in decision making and problem solving.
Provide nurse anesthesia services based on evidence-based principles.
Perform a preanesthetic assessment before providing anesthesia services.
Assume responsibility and accountability for diagnosis.
Formulate an anesthesia plan of care before providing anesthesia services.
Identify and take appropriate action when confronted with anesthetic equipment-related malfunctions.
Interpret and utilize data obtained from noninvasive and invasive monitoring modalities.
Calculate, initiate, and manage fluid and blood component therapy.
Recognize, evaluate, and manage the physiological responses coincident to the provision of anesthesia services.
Recognize and appropriately manage complications that occur during the provision of anesthesia services.
Use science-based theories and concepts to analyze new practice approaches.
Pass the national certification examination (NCE) administered by NBCRNA.

Communication

Teach others.
Maintain comprehensive, timely, accurate, and legible healthcare records.
Respect the dignity and privacy of patients while maintaining confidentiality in the delivery of interprofessional care.
Utilize interpersonal and communication skills that result in the effective exchange of information and collaboration with patients and their families.
Utilize interpersonal and communication skills that result in the effective interprofessional exchange of information and collaboration with other healthcare professionals.
Transfer the responsibility for care of the patient to other qualified providers in a manner that assures continuity of care and patient safety.

Leadership

Integrate critical and reflective thinking in his or her leadership approach.
Provide leadership that facilitates intraprofessional and interprofessional collaboration.

Professional Role

Adhere to the Code of Ethics for the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.
Interact on a professional level with integrity.
Apply ethically sound decision-making processes.
Function within legal and regulatory requirements.
Accept responsibility and accountability for his or her practice.
Provide anesthesia services to patients in a cost-effective manner.
Demonstrate knowledge of wellness and chemical dependency in the anesthesia profession through completion of content in wellness and chemical dependency.
Inform the public of the role and practice of the CRNA.
Evaluate how public policy making strategies impact the financing and delivery of healthcare.
Advocate for health policy change to improve patient care.
Advocate for health policy change to advance the specialty of nurse anesthesia.
Analyze strategies to improve patient outcomes and quality of care.
Analyze health outcomes in a variety of populations.
Analyze health outcomes in a variety of clinical settings.
Analyze health outcomes in a variety of systems.
Disseminate research evidence.
Use information systems/technology to support and improve patient care.
Use information systems/technology to support and improve healthcare systems.
Analyze business practices encountered in nurse anesthesia delivery settings.

Upcoming Information Sessions

Information sessions for Summer 2024 cohort:

May 15, 2024 4:00pm - 5:00pm (In person, Location: FH 466)

June 12, 2024 4:00pm - 5:00pm (Zoom)

July 17, 2024 4:00pm - 5:00pm (In person, Location: FH 466)

For questions and registration regarding Summer 2024 information sessions, please reach out to dnpcrna@nku.edu

The ��ǿ�� Nurse Anesthesia Program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), 10275 W. Higgins Rd. Suite 906, Rosemont, IL 60018-5603;��Phone:��224-275-9130. The program's next review by the COA is scheduled for Fall, 2032.

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The Doctor of Nursing Practice programs at ��ǿ�� are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

The college reserves the right to change the program of study as needed to fulfill state approval, regional and national accreditation, other certification organizations, and/or college requirements.

��ǿ�� has one of the only nurse anesthesia programs in the country whose Simulation Center is accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare.

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��ǿ�� is named one of the world's top-tier learning environments for practicing real-life health care situations.�� ǿ��'s��Center for Simulation Education��earned teaching and education accreditation from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare and the Council for Accreditation of Healthcare Simulation Programs. ��ǿ�� is the Commonwealth's only university to receive full accreditation, a feat accomplished by 183 other simulation centers internationally.

Link to the full article regarding this accreditation.

Applications for Summer 2025

The application window for the Summer 2025 start date will be open from May 1, 2024 through August 16, 2024.

All materials must be submitted to the NAP ��ǿ�� team prior to August 16, 2024 in order to be considered for the cohort starting in May, 2025.

For all admissions questions, please reach out to our admissions team at dnpcrna@nku.edu.

Information Sessions:

If you would like to learn more about the ��ǿ�� Nurse Anesthesia Program, please attend one of the following Information Sessions:

May 15, 2024 at 4:00pm in Founders Hall 466
June 12, 2024 at 4:00pm on Zoom (link will be emailed to participants)
July 17, 2024 at 4:00pm in Founders Hall 466

To register for one of these sessions, please contact Lauren Becker at beckerl1@nku.edu or (859) 572-6470

Click here to request more information about graduate programs at ��ǿ��

Click here for the Nurse Anesthesia Program curriculum

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