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Become a nurse anesthetist through the top-ranked DNP program at Johns Hopkins. Students learn to administer anesthesia to a diverse population of patients across the lifespan and in a wide array of clinical settings. Graduates are prepared to translate evidence-based practice into care and drive health care innovation. Practice under real-world conditions using state-of-the-art simulation technology, and train in interprofessional teams with the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

After successful completion of the 36-month curriculum, students will be eligible to apply for certification as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) through the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA). Certification to be a CRNA requires a passing score on the national certification exam administered by the NBCRNA.

This BSN to DNP or post-BSN to DNP program is designed for RNs with at least 1 year of full-time ICU or critical care experience. The program is also appropriate for RNs with an entry level MSN who have the required ICU or critical care experience.

DNP graduates remain in practice, leading cross-professional teams in the improvement and provision of informed quality healthcare. The knowledge, skills, and abilities to conduct such work is developed across the program and applied in the conduct of the DNP final project.  The DNP final project is the student’s original work that establishes them as a Hopkins Nursing clinical scholar.

Program Details
  • 3 years
  • Onsite
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Tuition & Fees

Estimated Tuition Cost: $2,293 per credit See Cost of Attendance Details
Financial Aid: There are numerous options for financing your education including grants, scholarships, federal loans, and employment programs. Learn more.


Upcoming Deadlines

Summer entry: Sept 15th

Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA)

The Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing DNP Nurse Anesthesia Track is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA)

Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs
10275 W. Higgins Rd. Suite 906
Rosemont, IL 60018-5603
224-275-9130
http://coacrna.org

Nurse Anesthesiology DNP Program Performance Data

Graduation YearAttrition RateNCE Pass Rate First-Time TakersOverall NCE Pass RateGraduate Employment Within 6 Months of Graduation
Class of 20235%90%100%100%

#1

 No. 1 in the nation for its Doctor of Nursing Practice Program (DNP)

#2

No. 2 in the nation for its Nursing Master’s Program (MSN)

#3

No. 3 nursing school in the world, according to 2023 QS World University rankings

Curriculum

This is a three year in-person program with several online courses throughout the program. The first year of the program begins with a Human Anatomy course at the School of Medicine. The remainder of the program is a hybrid of in person and online courses. Simulations are interspersed in the didactic courses to prepare students for their first clinical experience starting in the second year.  All students are required to be on campus for the three years of the Plan of Study.

Program may be completed in 88 credits.

Students admitted prior to Summer 2024, questions about plans of study should contact the Academic Program.

Plan of Study

3 Year Plan

  • Human Anatomy (4)

  • Advanced Nursing Health Policy (2) *

  • Advanced Health Assessment and Measurement for Nurse Anesthesiology (3)

  • Application of Biostatistical Methods for Evidence-Based Practice (2) *

  • Advanced Physiology for Nurse Anesthesiology (4)

  • Advanced Clinical Pharmacology for Nurse Anesthesiology I (3)

  • Introduction to Anesthesia Equipment, Technology, and Clinical Practice (2)
  • Advanced Clinical Pharmacology for Nurse Anesthesiology II (3)

  • Advanced Pathophysiology for Nurse Anesthesiology (4)
  • Application of the Research Process to Evidence-Based Practice (2) *

  • Nurse Anesthesiology Principles I (2)
  • Clinical Residency I (2 days clinical/week) (2)

  • Nurse Anesthesiology Principles II (3)

  • Organizational and Systems Leadership for Quality Care (2)*

  • Clinical Residency II (3 days clinical/week) (3)

  • Nurse Anesthesiology Principles III (3)

  • Scholarly Problem Discovery (2.5)

  • Scholarly Problem Discovery Practicum (0.5, 40 hrs)

  • Inquiry for Scholarly Practice (3) *
  • Clinical Residency III (4 days clinical/week) (1)

  • Clinical Residency IV (4 days clinical/week) (3)
  • Translation of Evidence for Advanced Nursing Practice (1)*

  • Scholarly Project Advancement for Nurse Anesthesiology (2)*

  • Advanced Clinical Data Management for Evidence-Based Practice and Performance Improvement (2)*

  • Clinical Residency V (4 days clinical/week) (4)

  • Nurse Anesthesiology Principles IV (3)

  • Scholarly Project Application for Nurse Anesthesiology (1)*

  • Health Finance for Advanced Nursing Practice (2)*
  • Clinical Residency VI (4 days clinical/week) (4)

  • Seminars in Nurse Anesthesiology I (3)

  • Scholarly Project Evaluation and Dissemination for Nurse Anesthesiology (1)*

  • Health Promotion and Disease Across the Lifespan (2)*
  • Clinical Residency VII (4 days clinical/week) (1)

  • Clinical Residency VIII (4 days clinical/week) (3)

  • Seminars in Nurse Anesthesiology II (4)

  • Professional Aspects of Nurse Anesthesiology Practice (2)

*Online education courses (24.5 Credits)

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Tuition & Other Costs

Financial aid

View the costs for the DNP Advanced Practice Nurse Anesthesia Program.
2023 – 2024

Scholarships & Grants: Grants are awards based on financial need that do not have to be repaid. Many students also benefit from scholarships and awards based on merit. Learn more.

Loans: Many students will avail themselves of loans to help finance their School of Nursing education. If necessary, we encourage you to borrow only what is absolutely essential to cover your educational costs. Learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions

The three-year program starts in May and ends in May.

At lease one year (preferably two years) of current, full time ICU experience 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.

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.

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.

All students are required to be on campus for the three years of the Plan of Study. The program is rigorous and demanding. All in person classes are held at the East Baltimore campus.

Admission to the program requires a current, unencumbered nursing license.  Students will be required to obtain additional unencumbered RN licenses during the program including Maryland, District of Columbia, and Virginia.  Additional RN licenses are likely to include Pennsylvania, Georgia, New Jersey and Florida.  Where applicable, a current unencumbered compact (multistate) license will substitute for a single state license.  Nursing licensure costs are the responsibility of the student.

CCRN certification is required at time of application.

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, UPMC Hamot (Erie, PA). (Travel expenses, on-boarding, and any site-specific requirements that incur an expense are the responsibility of the student.)

Clinical schedules are fluid and may change throughout the program to enhance clinical learning opportunities.

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.

The school accepts up to six credits of transfer from outside the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing. Please refer to the Academic Catalogue for the list of transferable courses.

Submission of transfer credit requests will be accepted in February following the admission process.

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.

Up to 25 students will be accepted in each cohort.

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.

  • 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.

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

The DNP is a doctoral degree focused on the clinical practice of nursing. The degree represents the highest academic preparation for nursing practice. The DNP curriculum focuses on the knowledge needed to provide comprehensive direct care across settings. It can be conferred in conjunction with any specialty in advanced practice.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing requires that all DNP Projects should:

  1. Focus on a change that impacts healthcare outcomes either through direct or indirect care.
  2. Have a systems (micro-, meso-, or macro- level) or population/aggregate focus.
  3. Demonstrate implementation in the appropriate arena or area of practice.
  4. Include a plan for sustainability (e.g. financial, systems or political realities, not only theoretical abstractions).
  5. Include an evaluation of processes and/or outcomes (formative or summative). DNP Projects should be designed so that processes and/or outcomes will be evaluated to guide practice and policy. Clinical significance is as important in guiding practice as statistical significance is in evaluating research.
  6. Provide a foundation for future practice scholarship.

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