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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

#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

  • Health Promotion and Risk Reduction Across the Lifespan (2)*

  • Human Anatomy (4)

  • Health Finance (2)*

  • Introduction to Anesthesia Equipment, Technology, and Clinical Practice (2)

  • Biostatistics for Evidence-Based Practice (2)*

  • Advanced Physiology for Nurse Anesthesiology (4)

  • Clinical Pharmacology (3)

  • Advanced Nursing Health Policy (2)*

  • Advanced Pharmacology for Nurse Anesthesiology (3)

  • Advanced Pathophysiology for Nurse Anesthesiology (4)

  • The Research Process and Its Application to Evidence-Based Practice (2)*

  • Advanced Health Assessment and Measurement (3)

  • Nurse Anesthesiology Principles I (2)

  • Problem Discovery (1)*

  • Nursing Inquiry for Evidence-Based Practice (3)*

  • Clinical Residency I (2 days clinical/week) (2)

  • Nurse Anesthesiology Principles II (3)

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

  • Translating Evidence into Practice (2)*

  • Project Advancement (2)*

  • Clinical Residency III (4 days clinical/week) (1)

  • Nurse Anesthesiology Principles III (3)

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

  • Project Application (1)*

  • Analysis and Evaluation of Individual and Population Health Data (2)*

  • Nurse Anesthesiology Principles IV (3)

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

  • Seminars in Nurse Anesthesiology I (3)

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

  • Project Evaluation and Dissemination (1)*

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

  • Clinical Residency VII (4 days clinical/week) (1)

  • Seminars in Nurse Anesthesiology II (4)

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

  • Professional Aspects of Nurse Anesthesiology Practice (2)

*Online education courses (19 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.

Employment: Many students locate part-time employment to help pay education expenses. Numerous positions are available on campus and within various community based organizations. These jobs provide students with opportunities to gain practical work experience. Most positions are funded through the Federal Work-Study Program. Learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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:

  • NR.210.606 Biostatistics for Evidence-Based Practice

  • NR.210.608 The Research Process and Its Application to Evidence-Based Practice

  • NR.210.610 Health Promotion and Risk Reduction across the Lifespan

  • NR.210.802 Advanced Nursing Health Policy

  • NR.210.804 Organizational and Systems Leadership for Quality Care

  • NR.210.806 Health Finance

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.

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

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