Doctor of Nursing Practice: Nurse Anesthesia Concentration

Develop unique skills for effective care at the doctorate level by earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): Nurse Anesthesia concentration degree from Lincoln Memorial University! Our DNP Nursing Anesthesia program is offered in a full-time hybrid format, with your first two semesters online. Pursuing your doctorate-level nursing anesthetist schooling while continuing your career has never been more accessible! 

At LMU, we strive to build up and supply communities with the most skilled and impactful health care professionals that we can. Here, at the Caylor School of Nursing (CSON), with over 50 years of experience, we know just how to set you on the path to success you've been looking for. Together, we will explore what it takes to be an anesthesiologist nurse and to keep future patients safe and secure during surgeries and other procedures. 

Our DNP Practice Nurse Anesthesia program offers you a variety of valuable learning opportunities, from anesthesia care and advanced nursing education to clinical expertise and leadership training to ensure that you are one of the best in your field following graduation. Our programs are fully accredited and our skilled faculty offers a curriculum with an emphasis on evidence-based practice, patient safety and ethical care, all within our state-of-the-art simulation labs and clinical facilities. By holding strong affiliations with leading health care institutions and clinical rotations, you won't just be receiving a valuable education, but in-depth, nuanced experiences to enhance your career. 

Lasting just 36 months and consisting of 109 credit hours, you'll have completed your nursing anesthetist education in no time! Make the most of your nursing anesthetist degree by exploring key courses like Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Biostatistics and many more!

During your time in the program, you will have the experience to learn all of the latest anesthesia techniques and technologies, with a focus developing advanced clinical judgement and decision-making skills. You'll even receive opportunities to explore interdisciplinary collaboration, leadership projects, research opportunities and clinical experiences! 

With an average of three and half years of critical care experience under their belt before ever entering the program, CRNAs are the only anesthesia professionals with this level of critical care experience prior to starting formal anesthesia education. In total, CRNAs attain seven to eight years of education, training and work experience. Want to learn more about our DNP Practice Nurse Anesthesia program?

Apply for the DNP Practice Nurse Anesthesia Program

Review the list of details below to ensure that you are eligible for the DNP Practice Nurse Anesthesia program at Lincoln Memorial University! To qualify, you must meet the following requirements:

• Graduated from an accredited baccalaureate nursing program.
• An overall academic record with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of "B" (3.0) or better.
• At least a basic understanding of computer skills and completed an undergraduate statistics course. Competitive GRE scores on verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning and analytical writing are required. 
• Minimum of three recommendations: one from a faculty member of your baccalaureate nursing program or immediate supervisor in a critical care setting, and one from another professional in a related health care field. Examples may include clinical nurse specialist, RN, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), anesthesiologist, surgeon or intensivist. 
• Completed an undergraduate basic chemistry course and an organic chemistry course. At least one must include a laboratory component.
• A statement of professional goals.
• An unencumbered license to practice as an RN in the state of Tennessee. Clinical practicum will require licensure in additional states including Kentucky, Georgia, Virginia, West Virginia and any other states where you might obtain clinical experience. 
• Minimum of one year of experience as an RN in critical care is required. Experience in a Level I or Level II trauma center is preferred; adult critical care experience is preferred. 
• Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Life Support must be current through December of the year in which the application is submitted.
• A Medical profile including immunization records and urine drug screen completed no more than 60 days prior to enrollment in the Nurse Anesthesia concentration.
• Proof of health insurance must be provided at all times when enrolled in the program.
• Participated in an in-person or Zoom interview as part of the admission process.
• Critical care registered nurse certification (CCRN) preferred.
• Official academic transcripts from each college of university attended must be submitted.

If you are a student from outside the United States, you must demonstrate sufficient ability to read, write and speak English with a minimum score of 550 on the TOEFL. As an international student you must also submit official transcripts for evaluation to either the World Education Services (wes.org) or Josef Silny & Associates (www.jsilny.com).

At LMU, we have "rolling admissions," meaning submitted applications are reviewed and potentially approved in the order that they are received. It is recommended that you apply one or two semesters before you intend to start our DNP Practice Nurse Anesthesia program, though later applications will also be considered. Our program begins each Spring semester, starting in January of each calendar year. 

For admission into the DNP Practice Nurse Anesthesia program at Lincoln Memorial University, you must apply through the LMU portal. For your program application, please apply to your preferred location in the Caylor School of Nursing. For those seeking fully in-person courses, they are only offered at our main campus in Harrogate, Tennessee.

Find information about financial aid and scholarship opportunities on our Financial Services page.

CRNAs are qualified to administer every type of anesthesia to all types of patients in any health care setting. As a nurse anesthetist, you will deliver comprehensive care using all accepted anesthetic techniques including general, regional, sedation, local and pain management. By providing care for people of all ages, you will fill a vital role in the health care setting.

Graduates of our DNP Nurse Anesthesia program are highly educated, experienced advanced practice registered nurses that are very sought after and eligible to work in any setting. Our past graduates have consistently achieved high pass rates on certification examinations. By completing the DNP Nurse Anesthesia concentration, you will have met the eligibility criteria for the National Board for Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) national certification examination. 

Considering how specialized your skillset is and how valuable your services will be after completing our program, CRNAs are the highest paid health care professionals among all nursing specialties. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for a CRNA is nearly $206,000. 

Want to learn more about the DNP Practice Nurse Anesthesia program at Lincoln Memorial University? Reach out to us at any time and we will be more than happy to help!

Dr. Crystal Hunnicutt, DNAP, CRNA
Doctor of Nursing Practice Nurse Anesthesia Program Director,
Assistant Professor of Nursing
Phone: 423.869.6723
Email: Crystal.Hunnicutt@LMUnet.edu

Graduate Nursing Programs
Phone: 1.800.325.0900 ext. 6743
423.869.6743
Email: Nursing@LMUnet.edu