Graduate Program in Nurse Anesthesia

Overview

The Graduate Program in Nurse Anesthesia provides a comprehensive graduate learning experience for registered nurses in the practice of administering all forms of anesthesia in preparation for assuming roles as qualified nurse anesthetists. The program is 36 months in length and culminates in a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Baylor College of Medicine.

The Program is divided into two phases, an 18 month didactic experience and an 18 month clinical practicum. The didactic phase consists of coursework in the basic and clinical sciences, healthcare delivery and policy, translational research, leadership and management. The clinical phase provides extensive clinical education in the provision of general, regional, and local anesthesia. Upon completion of the degree requirements, graduates are eligible to take the National Certification Examination administered by the National Board on Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists.

The College also offers advanced standing in the DNP program for master's-prepared Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) who wish to pursue a doctoral degree. CRNAs with advanced standing complete a 24 month curriculum designed to accommodate working professionals. Most of this curriculum is offered in an online format with limited on-campus time required. Upon completion of the program, CRNAs will receive a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.

The application process begins each year in February. All applications must be submitted no later than July 1. Applications will be reviewed during the summer and selected applicants will be invited to interview in August. Invitations to enroll in the program will be issued following the interview date. The program begins in January.

Since the program's inception, 248 nurse anesthesia students have graduated from the College. The most recent class of graduates completed the program in December 2011. All of these graduates passed the National Certification Examination on the first attempt and all were employed upon graduation. The attrition rate for the cohort was 9.3%. Our alumni provide clinical care in a variety of settings throughout the U.S. Our graduates are highly recruited and are exemplary representatives of the College.