Doctor of Nursing Practice - Nurse Anesthesia

UNC Greensboro’s Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia prepares experienced registered nurses for advanced practice as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). The 36-month doctoral program combines advanced study in anesthesia science, pharmacology, physiology, patient assessment, and evidence-based practice with extensive simulation and clinical education.

Students learn to plan and deliver anesthesia care for patients across the lifespan and in a variety of surgical and procedural settings. Through progressively advanced coursework and clinical rotations, nurse anesthesia residents develop the knowledge, technical skills, clinical judgment, and leadership abilities required for contemporary anesthesia practice.

Graduates are prepared to pursue national certification as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists and enter advanced practice in hospitals, surgical centers, and other settings where anesthesia care is provided.

Why Choose UNCG’s Nurse Anesthesia DNP Program?

The UNCG nurse anesthesia concentration is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs and by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The program prepares graduates for the national board certification exam administered by the to become a CRNA. Students have achieved a high first-time pass rate on the National Certification Exam, with a 100% success rate in 2025. The program also offers state-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories, and simulation spaces, including a full simulation operating room. Program highlights include:

• A 36-month, full-time Doctor of Nursing Practice curriculum
• More than 3,000 hours of clinical experience
• Approximately 1,000 anesthesia cases
• Clinical rotations at more than 28 sites across North Carolina
• Experience with general, regional, and monitored anesthesia care
• Specialty experiences involving cardiovascular, neurological, obstetrical, pediatric, and other surgical cases
• High- and low-fidelity simulation experiences
• Advanced coursework in anesthesia pharmacology, physiology, pathophysiology, and clinical practice
• Preparation for the National Certification Examination required to become a CRNA
• Doctoral-level education in leadership, evidence-based practice, informatics, and healthcare improvement

The breadth of clinical experience helps prepare graduates to provide anesthesia care to diverse patient populations across a range of practice environments.

The NURSE ANESTHESIA Student Experience

The program features small classes taught by nationally recognized faculty, ensuring personalized attention and mentorship throughout the course of study. 36-month plan of study that prepares students to take the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) exam. Specialty anesthesia rotations include complex cardiovascular, neurological, obstetrical, pediatric, and regional anesthesia surgical cases. These rotations prepare students to practice in a wide range of specialties and administer anesthesia to all age groups and special populations

• Small classes taught by nationally recognized faculty with faculty support and mentorship.
• Clinical rotations for students are arranged by program faculty to provide experience in a wide variety of surgical anesthesia cases.
• 36-month plan of study that prepares students to take the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) exam.
• Clinical experiences are designed to support the delivery of anesthesia to a wide variety of patients. 
• Essential leadership skills learned in the program enable graduates to actively participate in healthcare management.
• The classes are held in the Union Square Campus building, a state-of-the-art nursing education building outfitted with technology classrooms, labs, simulation space, and an Operating Room (OR) suite. Additional amenities include easy-access parking, student lockers, a student lounge with refrigerators and microwaves, and student study areas.

Nurse Anesthesia Careers

• UNCG graduates have a 100% employment rate six months after graduation.
• Graduates of the program develop advanced clinical skills that optimize health outcomes through high-quality anesthesia care.
• They are equipped to take on leadership roles in anesthesia nursing practice. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) positions offer significant employment opportunities in hospitals, clinics, and ambulatory surgery centers.
• Graduates serve as preceptors for students. 

Frequently Asked Questions About the Nurse Anesthesia DNP