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Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice

  • Entry Level DNAP Program Requirements

    This program is approved and accredited by the COA https://www.coacrna.org 

    Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs 10275 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 906, Rosemont, IL 60018-5603; 847.655.1160

    This is a new program.  Class statistics will be posted after the first cohort graduates.

    • Attrition rate
    • Employment rate
    • NBCRNA NCE pass rate

    Application timeline for both DNAP Completion and Entry Level programs: The application for Fall 2024 is closed and the cohort is full.  We are now accepting applications for the Summer 2025 cohort.  You are encouraged to submit your application by August 1, 2024.  Application review and interviews for the Summer 2025 cohort will begin in July 2024. 

      DNAP Entry-level Program

      • A BSN or MSN from an ACEN, CNEA or CCNE accredited program.
      • Current, valid RN license in U.S. state /territory or locale where student will complete clinical requirements
      • Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.2
      • Current minimum one-year full time adult ICU/critical care nursing experience (within the last five years) by the start of the program
      • CCRN certification required
      • Current certifications in BLS, ACLS, and PALS
      • A minimum of one undergraduate course (3 credits) of Chemistry with a grade of B or higher. 
      • A minimum of one undergraduate course (3 credits) of Microbiology or Anatomy & Physiology with a final grade of "B" or higher
      • A minimum of one undergraduate course (3 credits) of Basic Statistics with a final grade of “B” or higher
      • A minimum of one undergraduate course (3 credits) of Research course with a final grade of “B” or higher          *All prerequisite coursework must be completed within the last 10 years
      • Transfer credits will not be accepted
      • Shadowing experience required (note date, place and types of cases)
      • A 500-word essay addressing your career goals
      • Three letters of recommendation from academic or professional references. One letter must be from a critical care supervisor.
      • Interview with the Admissions Committee
      • You will be contacted once the nurse anesthesiology program office has received all required documentation for this application. After an assessment of your completed application, you will be notified if you are eligible for an interview. Please note fulfilling the above requirements does not guarantee an interview or acceptance into the nurse anesthesiology program.

      For International Students

      In addition to meeting the standard academic criteria for the program to which you are applying, international applicants must demonstrate English proficiency. All international students must take one of the tests indicated below and meet the university minimum score requirement:

      • A minimum TOEFL IBT of 100
      • A minimum IELTS overall band score of 7.0
      • A minimum Duolingo English test score of 125
      •  Valid Greencard

       

      Once the University receives all required documentation for your application, La Roche will contact you. After an assessment of your completed application, La Roche will notify you on whether you are eligible for an interview. Please note: Fulfilling the above requirements does not guarantee an interview or acceptance into the nurse anesthesiology program. 

        • DNAP Completion Program Requirements

          This program is approved and accredited by the COA

           https://www.coacrna.org 

          Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs:  10275 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 906, Rosemont, IL 60018- 5603; 847.655.1160

            Advanced Standing Policy

            La Roche University offers advanced standing in the DNAP completion program for appropriate Master’s prepared Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) that graduated from a Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Program (COA) who wish to pursue a doctoral degree. All submitted applications will be reviewed by the anesthesia Program Director, Assistant Director, and graduate admission counselor to determine if advanced standing will be granted. Advanced standing will be granted upon admission. Competencies of the CRNA applicant will be assessed in three areas: clinical experience, letters of recommendation, and submitted essay of professional goals and research area of interest.

            CRNA’s with advanced standing complete the required coursework in 24 months. The schedule of classes is designed to accommodate working professionals. Most courses are offered in an online format and students will only need to come to campus for residency three times. Upon completion of the program, CRNA’s will receive a DNAP degree. All applicants will meet the same criteria as the entry-level DNAP.

            Application timeline for both DNAP Completion and Entry Level programs: The application for Fall 2024 is closed and the cohort is full.  We are now accepting applications for the Summer 2025 cohort.  You are encouraged to submit your application by August 1, 2024.  Application review and interviews for the Summer 2025 cohort will begin in July 2024. 

            DNAP completion program requirements

            • Completed and signed application
            • Official transcripts 
            • Evidence of graduation from a Council on Accreditation (COA)-accredited nurse anesthesia educational program with a Master’s degree 
            • Certification as a CRNA 
            • Current, valid RN license 
            • A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2
            • Current certifications in BLS, ACLS, and PALS 
            • A minimum of one undergraduate course (3 credits) of Basic Statistics with a final grade of “B” or higher 
            • A minimum of one undergraduate course (3 credits) of Research course with a final grade of “B” or higher 
            • Transfer credits will not be accepted 
            • Submission of a curriculum vitae and three professional references 
            • Interview with Admissions committee 
            • Submission of required essays: 
              • One essay will focus on the applicant’s professional goals 
              • The second essay should discuss the applicant’s research area of interest and proposed doctoral capstone project
               

            In your essay please include:  

              Your area of interest (advanced clinical practice, administration, education) for a scholarly project  
              Why you are interested in this clinical are
              Why it is relevant for current society 
              Why it potentially warrants evidence-based practice change 

              How it is relevant to the role of the DNAP-prepared nurse and the implementation of evidence-based practice   

               

              Research Requirements

              Applicants must present evidence of a research thesis or evidence-based research to be considered for admission to the DNAP program. 

              Residency Requirements

              The DNAP Completion Program requires three immersion sessions spread throughout the curriculum.  Dates to be determined.

              The first-week residency is an intensive week in which students are required to attend classes and seminars on the La Roche University campus. 

              This intensive week is usually the week before classes begin in the fall, which is usually in August.  There are two additional residency sessions which are 2-3 days in length.

              The spring semester begins in January and summer semester begins in May.

              All residencies are mandatory.

              For International Students

              In addition to the requirements listed above, international students must:

              • Complete the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) process to evaluate the international license to practice nursing and any educational program transcripts
              • Provide a copy of U.S. Nursing License
              • In addition to meeting the standard academic criteria for the program to which you are applying, international applicants must also demonstrate English proficiency. All international students must take one of the tests indicated below and meet the university minimum score requirement. 
                • A minimum TOEFL IBT of 100
                • A minimum IELTS overall band score of 7.0
                • A minimum Duolingo English test score of 125
                • Valid Greencard
                 

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