Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Nurse Anesthesia

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who can serve as a reference?
  Three letters of recommendation are required. One from a current supervisor/manager who completes your performance evaluation and is knowledgeable of your work performance and experience. One from an academic educator who can attest to your academic ability and your potential to complete the program. And one from an anesthesia provider who can convey your potential to become a CRNA (preferably from a CRNA). References should be recent, written for the purpose of your application to this program and from professors who know you as a student, current supervisors/managers and anesthesia providers who know you as a professional in a job setting. Personal references from colleagues, friends, or family members do not meet the requirement.
• Do I need experience in an intensive care unit (ICU) or would experience in other areas qualify?
  At least one year (preferably two years) of current, full time ICU experience is required at time of application. Trauma ICU, CVICU and/or surgical ICU experience is preferred. Other intensive care areas that are acceptable include: neuro ICU, burn ICU, PICU, NICU, MICU, and CCU.
• Can I gain experience in another critical care setting other than the ICU?
  A critical care area is defined as one where, on a routine basis, the registered professional nurse manages one or more of the following: invasive hemodynamic monitors (e.g., pulmonary artery, central venous pressure, and arterial catheters), cardiac assist devices, mechanical ventilation, and vasoactive infusions. Those who have experiences in other areas may be considered provided they can demonstrate competence with managing unstable patients, invasive monitoring, ventilators, and critical care pharmacology.
   
• Do I need a bachelor’s degree in nursing to be considered?
  A bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in nursing is required at time of application. The program is designed for BSN or entry-level MSN nurses.
• Do I need to move to Baltimore to complete the program?
  It is recommended that you live in the Baltimore Metropolitan area for the three years of the program. The program is rigorous and demanding. All in person classes are held at the East Baltimore campus.
• Do you require a MD license to apply for the program?
  A Maryland RN license is not required at time of application. However, you must have a current, unencumbered RN license to practice in the United States. Prior to matriculation into the program, you will be required to obtain an unencumbered MD RN license (or licensure from a compact state) AND an unencumbered District of Columbia RN license.
• Do you require CCRN certification for application or admission?
  CCRN certification is required at time of application.
• Will I complete all of my clinical training at Johns Hopkins Medical Center?
  Currently, we have multiple clinical sites to which students will rotate: Johns Hopkins Hospital, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Johns Hopkins Howard County General Hospital, Johns Hopkins Suburban Hospital, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida, Winn Army Community Hospital in Fort Stewart Georgia, Tidal Health/Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury Maryland, Northwest Hospital, Sinai Hospital, Medstar Franklin Square Medical Center, Baltimore VA Hospital, Central Virginia VA Health System, Washington DC VA Hospital, UVA Health, INOVA Fairfax Hospital, Meritus Hagerstown Hospital, Hackensack University Medical Center.  (Travel expenses, on-boarding, and any site-specific requirements that incur an expense are the responsibility of the student.)
• Will I be able to work part-time during the program?
  Due to the intensity, rigor, and demand of the program employment is strongly discouraged. At no time may a student be employed as an anesthesia provider.
• I have completed graduate-level coursework at another institution. Is it possible to transfer these courses if I am admitted to the program?
  A maximum of six graduate-level semester credit hours can be applied to SON programs in the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing for course(s) previously taken from outside the School of Nursing. Course(s) must have been completed within five years of starting the degree program at JHSON.

  The following SON courses are eligible for transfer review:

  • NR210.606 Biostatistics for Evidence-Based Practice
  • NR210.608 The Research Process and Its Application to Evidence-Based Practice
  • NR210.610 Health Promotion and Risk Reduction across the Lifespan

  Students wishing to transfer any course from inside or outside the university must have earned a minimum grade of B in the course. The request to transfer credit must be concluded prior to the second semester registration period. If a student needs to take a course outside JHU once they have matriculated at the SON, they must obtain preauthorization prior to registering for the course.

  Students who have taken graduate core courses at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing within the last five years do not need to complete the Transfer of Graduate Credit form.

• Where do graduates work after completing the program?
  Graduates of the program will be prepared to the fullest scope of nurse anesthesia practice and to work independently or within an anesthesia team setting.
   
• How many students are accepted in each cohort?
  Up to 25 students will be accepted in each cohort.
   
• Should I observe the role of a CRNA before I apply?
  It is highly recommended that you observe a CRNA prior to applying to the program. If possible, you should spend an entire shift observing the CRNA to get an idea of what a typical day may be like.
• Who should I ask to complete my letters of recommendation?
  • At least one letter should come from a recent or current direct supervisor/manager (the person who is responsible for your performance evaluation)
  • At least one letter should come from an academic faculty member who can speak to your ability to successfully complete a demanding graduate level academic and clinical program.
  • It is preferred that the third letter come from an anesthesia provider.  Alternatively, the third letter can come from a second academic faculty member or an individual in a leadership position who can speak to your clinical abilities.
  • Personal references from colleagues, friends, or family members do not meet the requirement.
  • If you are unable to provide one of the reference letters above, please upload a statement of explanation to your application.
    
     
• What information should I include in my resume/CV?
  Please include the following information in your resume or CV:

  • Work experience (include dates, sites and locations; paid and unpaid; any residency participation)
  • Education Background
  • Scholarly activities (research, presentations, publications, honors, awards)
  • Professional activities (leadership, certifications, professional organization membership, service on committees)
  • Community Service/Volunteerism