Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice

The Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) program is designed for registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree who want a leadership role in the profession of nurse anesthesia.

In addition to preparing you to be a competent, skilled nurse anesthesia practitioner, it is the mission of the program to nurture and develop innovative, creative leaders for the advancement of the profession.

Outcomes:

• Students will be able to critically appraise evidence based literature and present their findings in a seminar to peers and anesthesia professionals by the completion of their second year in the program
• 90% of students will demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental concepts of Nurse Anesthesia through achieving a passing score on the National Certification Exam (NCE) with in 6 months of graduation.
• 90% of students will demonstrate comprehensive didactic knowledge through successful defense of oral boards, prior to graduation
• 80% of students will score a 415 or higher the Self Evaluation Exam (SEE) exam offered by the NBCRNA.

A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) is an Advanced Practice Nurse who has graduated from an accredited program and passed the National Certification Examination.

CRNAs administer 60% of the anesthetics given in the U.S. In rural areas, CRNAs provide nearly all the anesthesia services. CRNAs may work with anesthesiologists in a team practice or may be the solo providers of anesthesia services in a facility or community. CRNAs are involved with state and national professional organizations, present at conferences, contribute to journals and teach patients and their families what they need to know to feel comfortable with their anesthesia experience 

CRNAs practice in the following settings:

• Hospitals
• Outpatient Surgery Centers
• Offices
• Obstetric Units
• Military Settings

The DNAP program is housed in Gonzaga’s School of Nursing and Human Physiology, as well as the School of Anesthesia at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center. 

Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center and Children’s Hospital and three local and regional affiliations will provide all clinical instruction as well as instruction in basic science and anesthesia practice. Gonzaga University provides instruction in the areas of leadership, research, policy, and professional issues.

The DNAP Program is jointly owned and operated by Gonzaga University and Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center (dba as Providence Health Care).

The program is a practice doctorate, not a research doctorate.

The Gonzaga Advantage:

• No Competition with other Learners: Gonzaga’s DNAP students are the only anesthesia learners at the primary sites and affiliation sites.  95% of cases are available to DNAP students and the case volumes at all sites significantly exceed program needs.
• Low student to faculty ratio: The student to faculty ratio is one of the lowest in the country at 15:1.
• Practicing Faculty:  All practitioner faculty actively practice as CRNAs and provide students with state-of-the-art clinical instruction and address evolving trends, real world challenges and current health care policy issues.
• Integrated Nurse Anesthesia Program: Clinical practicum begins in the second semester and continues throughout the program.
• Excellent Certification Exam Pass Rate: Since 1979, only 5 students have failed the National Qualifying Exam; 4 of those students passed the exam on their second attempt.
• 100% Employment Rate: Since 1979, 100% of graduates of the Nurse Anesthesia program have been employed within six months of graduation.
• Competitive Cost: Members of Gonzaga’s DNAP cohort will benefit from a competitive per credit pricing structure compared to other programs in the market.
• The Jesuit Experience: Gonzaga students experience the infusion of the Jesuit mission of men and women for others. This humanistic approach creates a community that encourages an exchange of knowledge with and among each other—the faculty, the students, and the communities in which they live and work to impact change.

The nurse anesthesia program is accredited through Fall of 2026. The program is scheduled for ongoing accreditation in the Fall of 2026 by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs.

Financing

There are many ways to pay for your degree. From federal financial aid, to scholarships, to payment plans, Gonzaga can help you navigate the process and figure out the best way to finance your degree.

Program Questions

DNAP Administrative Assistant
Sacred Heart Medical Center
(509) 474-4971
Email: DNAP@providence.org

Application Questions

Gonzaga Online Admissions
Call or Text: (866) 380-5323
Email: gradadmissions@gonzaga.edu