DNP: Nurse Anesthesia

For financial aid purposes, there are credit minimums for full-time status that may differ from the plans of study. See details.

In this section:

• Post-Baccalaureate Plan of Study (Admitted Summer 2023 and Beyond)
• Post-Master's Plan of Study (Admitted Summer 2023 and Beyond)
• List of Specialty Specific Courses

Plans of Study Admitted Prior to Summer 2022:

• Download a PDF

Post-Baccalaureate Plan of Study - Admitted Summer 2023 and Beyond

Post-Masters Plan of Study - Admitted Summer 2023 and Beyond

Post-Masters: Core Degree Requirements

The Post Masters-DNP with Specialty plan of study is by definition variable credit based on the student’s individual educational experiences.

Students should work closely with their advisor to determine specific plans of study.

All of the below degree requirements must be completed at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, or through transfer or waiver of credits that are directly equivalent to UMSON coursework.

Specialty Specific Courses

Your nursing education is an important investment. Financial aid and scholarships can help make your goals a reality.

UMSON offers multiple opportunities to help you afford your graduate education.

Learn More About Financial Aid and Scholarships

All students receiving funds through the University must:

• be enrolled at least half-time (6 credits) in a degree-seeking program
• complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year by UMB's award priority deadline
• FAFSA Submission period: Oct. 1 (of the previous year) through Feb. 28
• FAFSA School code: 002104

The UMB Office of Student Financial Assistance & Education is available to guide prospective and current students through the FAFSA application process and the financial aid award package.

Contact Us:

UMSON Scholarships and Grants Office
410-706-0489 | nrsscholarships@umaryland.edu

UMB Student Financial Assistance and Education Office
410-706-7347 | aidtalk@umaryland.edu

In this section:

• Deadlines
• Qualifications
• Application Materials and Instructions
• Applicants without a High School Diploma or College Degree in the U.S

Deadlines:

The Nurse Anesthesia specialty accepts applicants for the summer session only. 
(All other specialties and the Post-Master's DNP option accept students for fall admission.)

For best consideration, applicants are encouraged to have all required application materials submitted by the deadlines listed below.

• Completed applications received after the priority deadline date will be reviewed on a space-available basis.
• After the admissions committee file review, applicants may be invited to an on-campus interview.
• Applicants not selected for an interview will not be advanced to the next stage of applicant review. 

Application Materials and Instructions:

An interview with selected applicants will be arranged after the applications are received and reviewed.

Applicants without a High School Diploma or College Degree in the U.S:

• If you do not have a degree from a U.S. high school, college, or university, you are required to demonstrate English proficiency.
• If you have completed coursework outside of the U.S., you must have your transcripts evaluated.

More information.

This program is not eligible for F-1 or J-1 student visa sponsorship by the University of Maryland, Baltimore, due to the amount of online courses.

If you have questions regarding the admissions requirements or process, contact the Office of Admissions and Student Scholarships to avoid errors that could delay the processing of your application.

When is the application deadline for the Nurse Anesthesia specialty?

The deadline to have all of your application materials submitted and received is July 1. The application process has multiple steps, and applicants should review the application and document submission process prior to submitting any materials. We strongly recommend submitting the online application no later than June 1 and then following through with the submission of all other required documents.

Do I need a master's degree to apply for the DNP Nurse Anesthesia specialty?

No. The Nurse Anesthesia specialty is part of the BSN to DNP program, which means you only need a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited university to apply. 

What are the admission requirements?

Applicants will be evaluated using UMSON's Doctor of Nursing Practice admissions requirements. In addition, you must have at least two years of continuous full-time acute care nursing experience at the time of application. 

After submitting an application, selected applicants will be invited to an on-campus interview with Nurse Anesthesia specialty faculty members.

What should be included in the application essay?

Applicants are expected to submit a concise essay (no more than 350 words) addressing the following:

• Describe why you want to receive a Doctor in Nursing Practice degree with a Nurse Anesthesia specialty, what motivated you to seek Nurse Anesthesia as a specialty, and what your plans are following your education.

What type of work experience is required to be eligible to apply?

At least two years of continuous full-time acute care nursing experience is required at the time of application. We prefer experience in large, busy surgical or cardio-thoracic intensive care units. Nursing experience in ER, OR, PACU, step-down, or telemetry units do not meet this acute care experience requirement. In the past, the average work experience of our accepted applicants was five years.

What can I expect during the interview process?

During the interview process, you will interact with our faculty members and current students and take a tour of our simulation lab. You can expect to be at UMSON for approximately four hours. The interview will be in a panel format with Nurse Anesthesia specialty faculty members and/or clinical site coordinators.

Who should I ask to complete my reference letters?

At least one recommendation should be from your acute care unit manager or supervisor. This recommendation should address your overall work performance, team member activities, and experience with various critically-ill patients and techniques such as, but not limited to, central line monitoring, ventilator care, and infusion therapy. Candidates may submit a separate word document with the narrative of the recommendation.

Is the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) required?

No. The GRE is not a requirement.

Do you require a Maryland nursing license to apply for the specialty?

No, Maryland licensure is not required to complete the application process. Applicants will be required to submit a RN license from the state in which they are currently working. Once applicants are accepted into the Nurse Anesthesia specialty, they will need to have and maintain both a Maryland license (or compact state) and a Washington, D.C. license.

How competitive is the application process?

The selection process is very competitive. The admissions committee evaluates applicants’ past academic performance, work experience, and letters of recommendation.  The number of applicants varies each year. 

How many students are accepted each year?

We generally accept up to 30 students each year.

Is there anything else I can do to strengthen my application?

We highly recommend that you spend several hours shadowing a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in your current workplace. Most anesthesia departments are happy to assist you with this experience.

Many applicants have found it helpful to take a graduate-level physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, biochemistry, or research course before entering the program. You may take these courses at a university of your preference, however they are not required for admission. The University of Maryland School of Nursing allows you to transfer in two courses. Some of the recommended courses are NURS 790 and NRSG 795.

You can also take a course or two to get a head start at UMSON. Learn more.

Can I work while I’m enrolled in this program?

The nurse anesthesia program is a rigorous and demanding full-time program. Students are enrolled in approximately 15 graduate credits per semester during the first year.  The clinical education phase begins the second summer and is full-time, requiring 40-50 hours per week.

How can I get additional information?

You can get additional information about the specialty by emailing DL-NRSNurseAnesthesia@umaryland.edu, or calling 410-706-1995. For more information about the roles and responsibilities of nurse anesthetists, visit the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists and the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists websites.

This specialty is fully accredited through 2027 by the Council on Accreditation (COA) of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs.

 Detailed accreditation information:

• Accreditation status: COA until 2027
• Specific academic program covered by the accreditation status: University of Maryland, Baltimore
• Name, address and telephone number of the Council:
  Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Program (COA)
  10275 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 906
  Rosemont, IL   60018-5603
  Phone Number: 224-275-9130
  Website: https://www.coacrna.org/
• Attrition for the most recent graduate class: 4%
• Employment of graduates within six months of graduation: 100%
• Certification examination pass rate for the first time takers 2021: 96%

During the second and third years of the program, students have the opportunity to attend clinical rotations in several renowned hospitals in the region, including:

• the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center at the University of Maryland Medical Center
• University of Maryland Medical Center
  
• University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus
• University of Maryland Rehabilitation & Orthopaedic Institute
• University of Maryland Capital Regional Medical Center
• MedStar Union Memorial Hospital
• MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital
• MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center
• MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital
• MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
• MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital
• Baltimore VA Medical Center
• Washington VA DC Medical Center
• Sinai Hospital
• Ascenion Saint Agnes Hospital
• Northwest Hospital
• Mercy Medical Center
• Greater Baltimore Medical Center
• University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Medical Center
• University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
• Meritus Medical Center
• Calvert Health Medical Center
• University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center
• Tidal Health Peninsula Regional Medical Center
• University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center