Nurse Anesthesiology Specialty (BSN-DNP)
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The NMSU School of Nursing has launched a new DNP degree concentration in Nurse Anesthesiology with a focus on rural health and health disparities. Graduates will be qualified to take the national certification exam administered by the National Boards of Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists to become certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs). CRNAs complete a three-year doctoral program with rigorous didactic courses and a minimum of 2400 hours of supervised clinical training. New Mexico’s hospitals have a critical need for anesthesia providers throughout the state due to nation-wide shortages and difficulty recruiting providers, especially to rural healthcare centers.
This specialty track in the DNP program is designed for BSN-prepared RNs with at least one year of full-time critical care/ICU experience. RNs with a master’s degree in nursing are also eligible for admission if they have the required critical care/ICU experience.
The NMSU Nurse Anesthesiology program is acredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). The COA has granted initial accreditation status to our program effective November 9, 2023 with the effective starting date of the program January 2024. NMSU Nurse Anesthesiology Initial Accreditation Letter. Contact information for the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) is 10275 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 906, Rosemont, IL 60018-5603; (847) 655-1160, https://www.coacrna.org/.
Application Deadline for the Spring 2027 Cohort
February 1, 2026
Program Overview
Degree Awarded: Doctor of Nursing Practice Nurse Anesthesiology Specialty (DNP)
Program Duration: 3 years (full-time)
Credit Hours: 102 credit hours
Degree Plan
- Nurse Anesthesiology DNP Degree Plan Fall 2023 Cohort
- Nurse Anesthesiology DNP Degree Plan Fall 2024 Cohort
- Nurse Anesthesiology DNP Degree Plan Fall 2025 Cohort
A complete list of DNP courses can be found in NMSU’s Academic Catalog.
Info Sessions FAQ Program Costs
Why Choose NMSU
Exceptional Doctoral Nursing Education
Our 3-year, full-time program is designed to transform experienced nurses into expert, doctorly-prepared CRNAs through a blend of advanced coursework; simulation-based training, and clinical immersion.
High Demand Career Path
CRNAs are in high demand nationwide, with competitive salaries and opportunities for leadership roles in anesthesia care. Our graduates are prepared to excel in a variety of settings, from hospitals, trauma centers, outpatient surgical centers, and pain management clinics.
State-of-the-Art Simulation & Hands-On Learning
Nurse anesthesiology residents gain hands-on experience in our high-fidelity simulation operating room, where they master anesthesia techniques in a controlled, supportive environment both before and during their clinical rotations in hospitals and surgical centers.
High-Impact Clinical Rotations
Nurse anesthesiology residents train in rural and urban settings, gaining exposure to a wide range of anesthetic procedures, including general, regional, and monitored anesthesia care across all surgical specialties, obstetrics, trauma, and pain management.
Affordable, High-Value Education
NMSU offers competitive tuition rates and financial aid options, making your investment in an advanced degree more accessible.
Expert Faculty
Learn from experienced CRNAs and other anesthesia experts who are dedicated to your success. Our small cohort sizes ensure personalized mentorship and support throughout your educational journey.
Personalized Support
At New Mexico State University, we are committed to your success-both in the classroom and in your future career. Our academic and professional coaching program is designed to equip nurse anesthesiology residents with the essential skills, strategies, and resilience needed to thrive in this demanding, high-intensity profession.
How to Apply
- Create an account using the "Apply Here" link below.
- Select the relevant Graduate Admission Application.
- GR Enrollment Information:
- Campus = NMSU – Las Cruces Campus
- Enrollment Status = New Graduate from In-State or Out of State
- Degree = Doctorate
- Intended Major (Doctorate) = Nursing Practice (Nurse Anesthesiology)
- Starting Semester = Spring
Enter the requested information and be prepared to upload the following documents to the web-based application:
- Current CV/resume
- Unencumbered RN license or APRN license
- Official transcripts from nursing programs/degrees
- Personal Essay: Submit a 1-2 page essay using APA formatting. Please respond to the following questions:
- NMSU’s Nurse Anesthesiology Program is dedicated to improving healthcare access in rural and underserved communities and addressing healthcare disparities. Describe your motivation for becoming a nurse anesthesia provider and how your personal and professional goals align with our program’s mission to address health care disparities in rural communities. How do you envision using your skills to improve anesthesia care accessibility and outcomes in underserved populations?
- One supervisor’s assessment form from current supervisor
- Current CCRN (Adult or Pediatric) certification.
- NMSU CRNA Shadow Experience Log(s) Three shadow forms completed by three different certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA) with whom you shadowed. Each shadow experience is required to be a minimum of 8 hours, and the experience cannot be older than a year at the time of application closure.
- Critical Competency Checklist (Needs to be filled out by current supervisor)
- GRE scores are accepted but not required
- TOEFL or IELTS scores if English is not your first language (see NMSU Information regarding the TOEFL or IELTS for Graduate Students)
- Science GPA calculator document (instructions below)
Official transcripts must be sent from all previously attended institutions either electronically or via standard mail to the NMSU Graduate School and NMSU School of Nursing:
ATTN: Official Transcripts
Graduate School
New Mexico State University
Educational Services Building, Suite 301
1780 E University
Las Cruces, NM 88003
gradinfo@nmsu.edu
AND
School of Nursing Nurse Anesthesiology Program
New Mexico State University
P.O. Box 30001 MSC 3185
Las Cruces, NM 88003
cbeau@nmsu.edu
Admission Criteria
The Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesiology (DNP-NA) is a limited-enrollment program with a rigorous admissions process. We anticipate that the number of applicants will greatly exceed the number of positions available.
The program enrolls only students who by academic and experiential achievement are of the quality appropriate for the profession and who can benefit from their education. Students must demonstrate professionalism, including a commitment to academic and personal integrity. At this time, our program does not accept applicants that have been enrolled in a previous nurse anesthesiology program.
Please refer to FAQ for more information.
Admission requirements include:
- A baccalaureate or graduate degree in nursing or an appropriate major from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. The accrediting agency must be recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation AND a nursing program that is accredited by either the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
- Minimum 3.0 GPA in prior degree coursework.
- Minimum calculated science GPA of 3.0. We require a grade of B or higher in the following required science classes:
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Chemistry
- Statistics
- Pharmacology
- Pathophysiology
*Students can use this instruction sheet in conjunction with this website to calculate their science GPA.
- Recommended, not required, previous course work includes biochemistry.
- An unencumbered license as a registered professional nurse in the United States or its territories or protectorates
- Minimum of 1-year full-time work experience, or its part-time equivalent, as a registered nurse in a critical care setting by the application deadline (see FAQ about critical care nursing experience)
- Minimum of 2 years experience as an RN in a U.S. hospital at the time of application deadline.
- Valid CCRN (adult or pediatric) certification
- ACLS, PALS and BLS certification prior to application closure
Selection of Applicants for Admission
Each application is scored based on BSN GPA (and if applicable MSN), science course GPA, relevant clinical experience, leadership experience, letter of reference, professional essay, and overall impression.
After an initial review and scoring of applications, applicants with the highest scores will be invited for an interview with Nurse Anesthesiology faculty via videoconferencing.
Contact Us
For more information, please contact:
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Cindy Beaulieu Nurse Anesthesiology Program Specialist, Sr. Telephone: 575-646-3688 Email: cbeau@nmsu.edu |
