The Nurse Anesthesiology DNP program Curriculum:

• First year DNP Nurse Anesthesiology (DNP-NA) students will attend a 4-5 day on-campus program orientation during the first week of classes in Fall semester.
• Second- and third-year DNP-NA students will attend advanced skills and simulation-based training held at the NMSU Las Cruces campus every semester.
• Prior to starting clinical rotations, students will submit a criminal background check and toxicology screen (medicinal marijuana is prohibited) and other clinical clearance requirements outlined in the  DNP and Post Graduate APRN Certificate Student Handbook. Failure to provide these items will result in a failure to progress or program dismissal. Positive toxicology results and/or criminal background checks that do not meet NMSU School of Nursing clinical clearance requirements can result in program dismissal. Individuals with potential criminal background issues should consult the New Mexico Board of Nursing for advisement prior to applying to the program.

Apply to the Nurse Anesthesiology DNP program through the NMSU Graduate School (here):

1. Create an account.
2. Select the relevant Graduate Admission Application.
3. 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 = Fall 2023

Enter requested information and be prepared to upload the following documents to the web-based application:

1. Current CV/resume
2. Unencumbered RN license or APRN license
3. Unofficial transcripts from nursing programs/degrees (official transcripts will be requested)
4. Professional Essay: 1) Describe how your training and experience has prepared you for the role of a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). 2) Discuss your aspirations and goals as a future advanced practice leader, including service to rural and/or undeserved communities.
5. A two to four (2-4) page essay describing an example of a problem in clinical practice that could be impacted by a quality improvement process and could be the basis for your DNP Project. For more information on the scope of the final DNP project, please refer to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing DNP Guidelines.
6. Three letters of recommendation, one academic, two professional (one from direct supervisor and one preferably from anesthesia provider). References should be recent, written for the purpose of your application to this program and from professors who know you as a student or employers who know you as a professional in a job setting preferably in a supervisory role. Personal references from colleagues, friends, or family members do not meet the requirement. One letter should be from a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) who you had a shadowing experience.
7. Current CCRN certification.
8. NMSU CRNA Shadow Experience Log(s) – compile into one PDF
9. GRE scores are accepted but not required
10. TOEFL or IELTS scores if English is not your first language (see NMSU Information regarding the TOEFL or IELTS for Graduate Students)
     

Request official transcripts from all prior college and universities attended to be sent directly to the NMSU School of Nursing and to the Graduate School (you will need to request 2 sets of transcripts).

Graduate School, MSC 3-GS
New Mexico State University
PO Box 30001
Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001

NMSU School of Nursing
SON Advising Office
New Mexico State University
P.O. Box 30001
Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001

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. Applications open October 2024.

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.

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).

• A minimum 3.0 GPA in prior degree coursework. A higher GPA is more competitive.
• A minimum calculated “hard science GPA of 3.0. A higher hard science GPA is more competitive. We recommend a grade of B or higher in the following required science classes:
  • Anatomy and physiology I
  • Anatomy and physiology 2
  • General chemistry
  • Statistics
  • Pharmacology
  • Pathophysiology

*Students may consider retaking required course with a C or lower.
*Students can use this instruction sheet in conjunction with this website to calculate their GPA with .

• 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
• A 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)
• Valid CCRN certification
• Minimum of 2-3 years’ experience as an RN in a U.S. hospital at the time of application deadline.

• ACLS, PALS and BLS certification prior to enrollment and that will remain current through the first semester.

We score each application based on BSN GPA (and if applicable MSN), science course GPA, relevant clinical experience, leadership experience (not management i.e. charge nurse), letters of reference, professional essay, and overall impression.

After an initial review and scoring of applications, we will invite applicants with the highest scores for an interview with Nurse Anesthesiology faculty via videoconferencing.