In partnership with Geisinger, our Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) nurse anesthesia program will prepare you as a nurse leader to apply advanced practice skills at the highest level of clinical practice to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist.

Nurse Anesthesia (BSN-DNP)

In partnership with Geisinger, our Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Nurse Anesthesia program will prepare you as a nurse leader to apply advanced practice skills at the highest level of clinical practice to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist.

Degrees & Offerings
  • DNP
Format Option(s)
  • Hybrid (Online + In-Person)
Department
College
Program Contact
Program Director of Geisinger/Bloomsburg Nurse Anesthesia Program, Associate Professor of Nursing
Senior Associate Dean, Breiner School of Nursing; Associate Professor
illustration of Carver Hall

The focus of this collaborative program is nurse anesthesia practice-oriented investigation in the clinical setting emphasizing health education, leadership, research application, and analysis of health care outcomes. We'll prepare you as a clinical scholar skilled in patient-centered care, intra-professional collaboration, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, policy advocacy, and improved use of informatics and technology.

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You'll be prepared to assume a higher level of responsibility and leadership in nursing and health care, with the ultimate goal of improving the healthcare delivery system of the nation.

Cost Estimator

Nurse Anesthesia (BSN-DNP) Primary Goals

  • Provide a higher level of scientific background and practical experience
  • Learn to function as an integral part of the health care team
  • Preparation for instructional and leadership roles
  • Successful completion of the Certified Exam for Nurse Anesthetists

Our nurse anesthesia program emphasizes the acquisition of essential knowledge and skills, including the ability to:

  • Apply theory and research knowledge gained from nursing the sciences and humanities to provide optimum care to the patient
  • Evaluate the patient preoperatively, anticipating requirements necessary in the perioperative and post-anesthesia phases
  • Administer a safe and physiologically investigator and in collaboration with colleagues
  • Develop leadership skills necessary in the role as clinician, teacher, researcher, advocate, manager, and consultant
  • Acquire an appreciation for involvement in the professional activities of the local, regional, and national organization
  • Relate to and interact with the total health care community of which anesthesiology is one component.

Courses and Curriculum

*Please see the CU degree requirements effective Fall 2023. All enrolled students can also review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion in Degree Works.

Completed applications are due in the graduate office by Feb. 1.

  • Online graduate school application
  • A baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally-accredited school program
  • Official transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended
  • GPA requirement of at least 3.2
  • Copy of current, unencumbered Pennsylvania professional nursing license
  • Resume which includes description of professional nursing and clinical experience
  • Documentation of BLS, ACLS and PALS certification — PALS is required for application but a PA license can be obtained upon acceptance into the program (acceptance contingent upon getting a PA license).
  • Narrative describing personal and professional goals for graduate education and Nurse Anesthesia option
  • Three Nurse Anesthesia Recommendation forms
  • Documentation of at least eight hours of shadowing a CRNA with verification by that individual
  • At least one year of current full-time critical care experience such as AICU, CCU, PICU, and NICU by application date Feb. 1. (ER, Life Flight, or Recovery Room do not qualify towards critical care experience requirement.)
  • Documentation of Certification in Critical Care Nursing (CCRN) is mandatory. American Association of Critical-Care Nurses: Get Certified
  • Nurse Anesthesia Pre-requisite Course Form
  • Nurse Anesthesia Clinical Experience Form
  • Shadow Experience Form

Interviews with the Joint Admissions Committee will be conducted during April.

  • 2024 Class Attrition (number of students) — TBD
  • 2024 Certification examination pass rate for first-time takers — TBD
  • 2024 Employment of graduates within six months — TBD
  • 2024 overall pass rate — TBD

To review previous outcomes, see Nurse Anesthesia MSN program attrition and pass rates

  • Q: Do I need professional experience in order to be admitted?
    A: Yes - Students need at least one year of full-time critical care experience, such as AICU, CCU, PICU, and NICU by the application deadline of February 1. (ER, Life Flight, or Recovery Room do not qualify toward critical care experience requirement.)
  • Q: Can you complete the program on a part-time basis?
    A: Students may work during the 1st year, however, full-time study is required for the 2nd and 3rd years in the program.
  • Q: How is the program delivered?
    A: Delivered in hybrid format with the 1st year online​ and years 2 and 3 are delivered in-person​ at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville.
  • Q: How many credits can I transfer into the program?
    A: Students can transfer a maximum of 9 credits into the nurse anesthesia program after receiving approval from the program director. To receive approval, the applicant is required to submit syllabi with course descriptions and transcript(s) displaying the grade received for the course(s) they are interested in transferring.
Bloomsburg Initial - B -  inside a keystone shape

Practical Learning

Professional Engagement


American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
As advanced practice nurses, CRNAs administer more than 34 million anesthetics in the United States each year. CRNAs practice in every setting where anesthesia is available and are the primary providers of anesthesia care in rural America. They administer every type of anesthetic, and provide care for every type of surgery or procedure, from open heart to cataract to pain management.

Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists
It's the purpose of this Association to promote, through continuing education, the science and art of anesthesiology as provided by CRNAs in all practice settings. In collaboration with the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, PANA offers its members the resources necessary to advance patient safety and practice excellence.

The Husky Difference

CCNE Accreditation Logo
The doctoral degree program in nursing at Bloomsburg University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K St. NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
Nurse anesthesia alumnus displays his invention in a Geisinger surgical room
$189K
The standard annual salary for nurse anesthetists, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Council on Accreditation logo
Our nurse anesthesia DNP program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational (COA) Programs., 10275 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 906, Rosemont, IL 60018-5603, 224-275-9130.
Nursing graduate walks in procession during spring commencement in Redman Stadium
Our nursing program is ranked 6th of 76 schools in Pennsylvania according to RNCareers.org. In addition, we’re ranked 67th in the Mid-Atlantic region by NursingSchoolAlmanac.com.

Careers

Whether you’re looking for a hands-on clinical role or a role that leads or creates policy, there are many career paths for nurses with a DNP.

Potential Job Opportunities

  • Administers general, regional, and local anesthesia
  • Works as part of healthcare teams in surgery, diagnostic tests, newborn deliveries, pain management, and trauma stabilization
  • Offices of health practitioners other than physicians (podiatrists, dentists, etc.)
  • Specialty hospitals

Top Skills Employers are Looking For

  • Analyzing and Interpreting Clinical Outcomes
  • Creating and Fostering a Clear Health Care Vision
  • Building and Managing Strong Health Care Teams
  • Managing Conflict
  • Leading Discussions and Improving Patient Outcomes

Continue to Explore

DNP Nurse Anesthesia
Nurse anesthesia program students achieve perfection

NAP Achieves Perfection

Members of NAP's Class of 2022 achieved perfection in its national certification exam (NCE), measuring the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for entry-level nurse anesthesia practitioners. The 13 graduate students had a 100% first-time pass rate for the NCE, 0% attrition, 100% employment rate, and 100% overall pass rate. The national first-time pass rate is 85.2%.

Bloomsburg University Students Win Competition

Nurse Anesthesia Students Win Competition

The Geisinger/Bloomsburg University Nurse Anesthesia Program's Class of 2022 students won the annual College Bowl at the Pennsylvania Association Of Nurse Anesthetists (PANA) Spring Symposium in Hershey, Pa.

Applying to Graduate Programs

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Nurse Anesthesia Contact