Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice

CRNAs practice in the hospital, nonoperating room anesthetizing areas, ambulatory surgical centers, and office-based settings. They provide all types of anesthesia-related care for surgical, diagnostic, and therapeutic procedures. CRNAs provide anesthesia for all specialties including, but not limited to, general, obstetrics, trauma, cardiac, orthopedic, gastrointestinal, dental, and plastic surgeries. CRNAs administer anesthesia care to patients in urban, suburban, and rural locations in the US, and are often the sole anesthesia professionals delivering care to the military, rural, and medically underserved populations. CRNAs serve as leaders, clinicians, researchers, educators, mentors, advocates, and administrators.

The Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice degree prepares students to become Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), licensed to administer anesthesia and other medications in surgical and other medical situations. The 36-month program runs through nine semesters (including summers) and involves extensive classroom and clinical training.

The DNAP program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The COA is accredited by the US Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Licensure and Certification Requirements

Whereas accreditation applies to educational programs, licensure and certification applies to individuals. Our program prepares students for and makes them eligible to take the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) National Certification Exam. Passing the NCE is required for employment as a CRNA and may also be required by each state to obtain licensure. Information regarding each state’s nurse practice act and regulatory requirements may be found here: https://www.aana.com/practice/practice-in-your-state/

Application Deadline: Applications for the cohort that will begin in the Fall 2024 semester must be received by Friday, May 24, 2024, for full consideration.

To apply to the program, students must:

• Complete the UC admissions application and submit the application fee.
• All of the following materials must be submitted via email to dnap@ucwv.edu.
  • Have a BSN from an accredited institution with a minimum final GPA of 3.0. Applicants must provide copies of transcripts from all higher education institutions attended. Unofficial copies may be submitted for initial review, but official copies will be required for on-campus interviews.
  • Have a current, active, unencumbered US registered nurse (RN) license. Applicants will be required to provide documentation of active licensure.
  • Submit a current CV in the required format
  • Have three (3) professional references (one must be a current direct supervisor) complete the reference form and send to dnap@ucwv.edu. The form must be sent from the reference. Reference forms emailed by the applicant will not be accepted. Reference form linked here
  • Complete and submit the program experience form to dnap@ucwv.edu. Applicants must demonstrate a minimum of one year of ICU (intensive care unit) experience to qualify for admission.

Applications will be reviewed by the DNAP Admissions Committee. Applicants will be notified by May 30, 2024, if they are being invited to campus for an in-person interview. Interviews will take place on June 17, 18, and 19 (applicants will only attend one day). Applicants will be notified of status (admitted, wait listed, or denied) by June 21. Admitted students will have until June 26, 2024, to submit a $1,000 enrollment deposit or will forfeit their admissions offer. Classes will begin on Monday, August 19, 2024. Students may be required to report to campus prior to August 19 for Orientation. Details will be provided when they become available.