DNP-NA Frequently Asked Questions
General
Q: What degree will I earn?
A: A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – Nurse Anesthesia degree. The DNP-Nurse Anesthesia degree program is for experienced critical care RNs who hold a bachelor’s or a master’s degree in nursing and wish to become certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs). The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), or Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP), are the practice standard for nurse anesthesia education.
Q: What can I do as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)?
A: CRNAs are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who are licensed as independent practitioners who plan and deliver anesthesia, pain management and related care to patients of all health complexities. CRNAs practice in pre-, intra- and post-operative settings, as well as pain management (including acute, obstetrics care) and other services related to patient care.
Q: What is the length of the program?
A: 36 months or 12 quarters of year-round experiences, including three summers.
Q: When do applications for the DNP Nurse Anesthesia degree program open?
A: Applications are slated to open September 15, 2024.
Q: When does the program begin?
A: The program has received accreditation from the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) effective January 22, 2025. Please visit the School of Nursing’s accreditation page for additional details.
Q: Can I talk to someone or come for a visit?
A: We will be hosting a webinar series featuring an overview of the program as well as an opportunity to hear from different speakers and learn more about the CRNA profession. More information on registration for these information sessions will be available soon. Due to the expected high volume of applicants, we are not able to do 1-1 appointments.
Q: Is the DNP-Nurse Anesthesia Degree Program accredited?
A: The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – Nurse Anesthesia degree program at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis was awarded accreditation from the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) on January 22, 2025. Please visit the School of Nursing’s accreditation page for additional details.
Applicant eligibility
Q: Do I need a degree in nursing to apply?
A: Applicant must hold either a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing Science (BSN) or an equivalent major OR a bachelor’s degree in another specialty in addition to a Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) or an equivalent graduate degree. If an applicant has an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) with a bachelor's degree in another field, they must have completed all prerequisite courses as listed in the prerequisite section.
Q: Do I need an RN license to apply?
A: Applicants must hold an unencumbered license as a registered professional nurse (RN) and/or an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in the United States or its territories or protectorates at the time of application, plus eligibility to receive California licensure before matriculating into the program. The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Education Programs (COA) defines APRN as advanced practice nurses in the roles of certified nurse mid-wives, certified nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists. Please note, applicants are also required to have prior experience as an RN before applying to the program.
Q: Do I need prior experience as an RN? What is accepted as "critical care experience" for applicants?
A: Applicants will need a minimum of one-year full-time work experience, or its part-time equivalent, as a registered nurse in a critical care setting. The applicant must possess current professional experience in registered nursing care in an acute setting, providing care to patients with complex pathologies that may require advanced hemodynamic monitoring, ventilatory support, vasoactive titration, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The minimum of one year of full-time clinical registered nursing experience must consist of 2,080 hours within the U.S., its territories or a U.S. military hospital outside of the U.S. Examples of critical care experience include, but are not limited to, CVICU, Neuro ICU, Medical Surgical ICU, Cardiac ICU, Trauma ICU, Neonatal ICU, Pediatric ICU, Burn ICU, Transplant ICU, Coronary ICU or CCU. Emergency Department and PACU experience is not considered critical care experience. Candidates may choose to gain different critical care experience if desired, but we do not have a preference for type of critical care experience if meets the requirement. It is strongly preferred to have your clinical care hours completed by the time you submit your application, but they will be required by the time of matriculation. Our strongest applications will have their minimum critical care experience completed by the application due date.
Q: Do I need to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) to apply to the program?
A: No standardized tests are required.
GPA
Q: What is the minimum GPA requirement?
A: Applicants for admission to the DNP-Nurse Anesthesia degree program must have a minimum cumulative bachelor’s degree GPA of 3.0 and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in all science prerequisites. While all prerequisites must be completed with a grade of C or better, a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher is still required in order to be eligible for admission.
Q: Can I retake classes to improve my bachelor’s GPA?
A: Applicants’ overall bachelor’s-degree GPAs are final upon graduation. Taking additional courses or repeating courses after earning a bachelor’s degree does not change an applicant’s bachelor’s degree GPA.
Q: Can I retake classes to improve my prerequisite science GPA?
A: Yes. For prerequisite science courses, the highest grade is used to calculate an applicant’s science prerequisite GPA. Initial and repeated grades are not averaged.
Q: How are repeated courses calculated into my GPA?
A: If the course was repeated at the degree-granting institution prior to graduation, the overall GPA calculation is determined by the school’s grade forgiveness policy.
Prerequisite requirements
Q: What prerequisites do I need?
A: The DNP-Nurse Anesthesia Degree Program has been reviewed and approved by the University of California. The prerequisite requirements are as follows:
If an applicant has a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree or a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree from an accredited university they do not need to complete the prerequisite courses below. If an applicant has an Associate Degree in Nursing with a bachelor’s degree in another filed, they must have completed all the prerequisites below.
Prerequisite Scenarios:
- If an applicant has a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from an accredited university, the prerequisites are waived and a prerequisite science GPA will not be calculated. However, it will be up to the applicant to self-assess if the additional coursework or a refresher course would be beneficial.
- If an applicant has an Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree from an accredited university, the prerequisites are waived and a prerequisite science GPA will not be calculated. However, it will be up to the applicant to self-assess if the additional coursework or a refresher course would be beneficial.
- If an applicant has an Associate Degree in Nursing with a bachelor’s degree in another filed, they must have completed all the prerequisite courses listed below.
Science Prerequisite Courses:
- One course in human anatomy with lab*
- One course in human physiology with lab*
- Or human anatomy and physiology series: Part I and Part II with lab*
- One course in organic chemistry or biochemistry with lab
- One course in microbiology or bacteriology with lab
Social Sciences Prerequisite Courses:
- Two courses in social sciences. Ideal courses provide exposure to human or organizational behavior — such as psychology, sociology, ethnic studies, women’s studies or cultural anthropology. Social science courses may be completed in two different subject areas or within the same subject area.
Other Prerequisite Courses:
- One course in English composition
*It is recommended, although not required, that the human anatomy and human physiology prerequisite courses be completed within the past five years of when you plan to apply. Competitive applicants should self-assess their strengths. If it has been a number of years since courses were completed, applicants are strongly encouraged to consider retaking them. Applicants may complete a combined human anatomy and human physiology series course. Series courses are offered in two parts and are completed over the course of two quarters or two semesters. Series courses must be completed in full and must include a lab component. If applicant only completes one part of the series course, they must additionally complete a course in either human anatomy or human physiology to fulfill the requirement. Mammalian or animal physiology and anatomy will not fulfill this requirement.
Q: Do prerequisites need to be completed within a certain timeframe?
A: It is recommended, although not required, that the human anatomy and human physiology prerequisite courses be completed within the past five years of when you plan to apply. Competitive applicants should self-assess their strengths. If it has been a number of years since prerequisite courses were completed, applicants are strongly encouraged to consider retaking them. All prerequisites must be complete by the time of application.
Q: What is the minimum grade accepted for prerequisite course work?
A: All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or better. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all science prerequisites is required. Advanced Placement (AP) scores awarded in high school do not fulfill prerequisites.
Q: Are prerequisites completed at community colleges or online looked at poorly or less competitive in comparison to those completed in-person at a university?
A: No. The School of Nursing reviews all applications equally, regardless of whether the course was completed in person, online, at a community college or at a university. Labs may also be completed online.
Q: Can prerequisites be waived?
A: If an applicant has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree or Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Degree from an accredited university (such as the Master’s Entry Program in Nursing at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing), the prerequisite courses will be waived.
Application & Admissions
Q: Is preference given to California residents? Can I apply as an out-of-state applicant?
A: You can apply as an out-of-state applicant, but all applicants must be eligible to receive California licensure before matriculating into the program.
Q: How many letters of recommendation should I submit? Whom should I ask to write my letter of recommendation? I have been out of school for several years and am no longer in touch with professors. Who should be a third recommender? What if I don’t have doctorally prepared professors/professionals?
A: Three letters of recommendation are required for the program application. These letters should come from individuals who can comment on your clinical skills, knowledge, ethics, teamwork, interpersonal skills, critical thinking, professionalism, and other strengths related to nurse anesthesia. Suitable recommenders may include nurse managers, supervisors, charge nurses, advanced practice clinicians, attending physicians, or nursing school faculty. The admission committee prefers to receive recommendation letters from individuals who can provide a comprehensive assessment of your abilities and potential to succeed in the program.
Q: What should be included in my essay?
A: Once posted, the application will include a series of essay prompts rather than one longer essay. We know applicants would like to have time to consider these questions so we have included them here so you can begin to prepare. The application is slated to go live September 2024.
Applicants will be asked to speak to a variety of questions. Please review the DNP-NA Program Essay Prompts for NursingCAS to review the questions and suggested word count.
If invited to complete the UC Davis Graduates Students Application, this will require a statement of purpose, personal history, diversity statement and future interest or goals (maximum 2,000 characters).
Q: Is critical care certification required for admission, and what specific certifications are accepted?
A: Students are required to be BLS, ACLS and PALS certified prior to starting clinical rotations. Candidates may choose to pursue additional critical care certifications but are not required to do so. Other certifications could include CCRN, NRP, TNCC and CMC.
Q: Will all applicants be interviewed?
A: Qualified candidates may be invited to a virtual interview via Zoom. Not all qualified candidates will be interviewed and not all interviewed candidates will be accepted.
Q: May I transfer credits?
A: No coursework may be transferred or substituted for credit into the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – Nurse Anesthesia degree program.
Program
Q: How often will I come to campus?
A: Students will be required to be on campus in Sacramento one to two days a week in Quarter 3 and Quarter 5 for simulation courses or other on-site requirements. Students may be required to be physically present on campus for other specific program-related activities, which could include, but are not limited to: accreditation visits, test review preparation, clinical orientation, certification renewal or computer training.
Q: How often are students in class?
A: Most of our didactic (instructional) classes will be conducted online using synchronous (live) and asynchronous (on-demand) formats. Students should prepare for 30 to 45 hours of class work, including in-class and out-of-class work time, per week depending on the quarter. Students must attend campus for weekly simulation experiences during Quarters 3 and 5.
This combination of virtual and in-person experiences provide the flexibility of an online learning program while ensuring that students gain hands-on experience and interaction during important program stages.
Q: Can I continue working part-time or full-time?
A: The DNP-Nurse Anesthesia degree program is a rigorous academic program with intensive clinical experience beginning in Year 2. It’s advised that students do not work during the program to ensure they are successful in completing the 36-month program.
Q: Will DNP-Nurse Anesthesia students be in the same classroom as DNP Family Nurse Practitioner students?
A: Interprofessional learning and practice is a core tenet of the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis. Where appropriate, DNP-Nurse Anesthesia degree students will learn with DNP-Family Nurse Practitioner students. Sections and case scenarios specific to each profession are utilized to ensure the content is relevant for each learner audience.
Q: Am I required to complete a scholarly project?
A: Yes, all DNP-Nurse Anesthesia degree students will be required to complete a Scholarly Project. This scholarly activity is an expectation of a Doctor of Nursing program and is part of the curricular expectations of the program.
Q: Is there campus housing or transportation for me when I am expected to be on campus?
A: No, there is not campus housing or transportation provided when students are expected to be on campus.
Q: Do I need to live or relocate to California?
A: Clinical rotations and on-site course will be in California. Students will need to make arrangements to be on campus or at clinical sites in California.
Clinical placements
Q: How often will I be at a clinical site?
A: Students will start clinical rotations in Year 2, fall quarter (6th quarter of the program). Clinical rotation time will increase from 2 to 3 days a week. Students will rotate 4 days a week taking on increasingly complex specialty cases by Year 3.
Q: Where are clinical placements? Can I be placed in my hometown?
A: Clinical placements will include UC Davis Health, as well as other UC Health campuses. Additional health systems will also participate. Applicants should not expect to be placed at a clinical site in their hometown for the duration of the program.
Q: How many rotations do students participate in (how many clinical hours would I complete)?
A: Students will need to gain at least 2,000 hours of clinical hours over multiple cases. Most students will clock more than 2,000 hours covering general and specialty anesthesia cases.
Q: Do I have to find my own clinical placements?
A: No, students do not need to find their own clinical placements. The clinical placement team facilitates clinical placements.
Financial support
Q: What is the cost of tuition and fees?
A: Information regarding estimated tuition and program fees can be found on the UC Davis Finance and Business page. Potential student financial aid opportunities will be posted to our DNP-NA website when they are available in the near future. Please keep monitoring our page for more information as it becomes available and sign up for our email newsletter for updates delivered to your inbox.
Q: Does the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing offer financial aid or scholarships?
A: Each student admitted to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – Nurse Anesthesia degree program at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis will be eligible to receive financial support, including scholarship funding, to offset a portion of tuition and fees. Specific details about financial support will be provided to individuals as part of the admission offer.
