Deliver confident care in any environment with Duke University’s Nurse Anesthesia DNP.
The Nurse Anesthesia DNP program at Duke University School of Nursing prepares you to confidently practice autonomously in any environment and thrive in a fast-growing field. Contribute to the latest evidence-based practices, utilize high-fidelity simulation and cadaver labs, make lifelong connections and learn about professional responsibilities, all of which will shape the future of nurse-led care.
Our future-focused nurse anesthetist program equips you with the skills needed to deliver anesthesia to patients across the lifespan. We’re committed to developing nurse leaders and innovators who transform health care by advancing health equity and expanding access to treatment.
At Duke, you’ll find unmatched opportunities and resources to equip yourself as a nurse anesthetist. Our diverse, mission-minded program works to advance health equity and social justice through an innovative educational experience, preparing you for a successful career as a certified registered nurse anesthetist.
#7
Nursing Anesthesia
Preparing students with the skills needed to administer anesthesia in various clinical settings for patients across the lifespan. Addressing critical leadership skills needed to translate evidence-based care into practice, change care systems, and measure outcomes of groups of patients, populations, and communities.
Nurse Anesthesia DNP Highlights
Find world-class resources and practicing clinical experts ready to go the extra mile in our forward-thinking nurse anesthesia program:
Comprehensive anesthesia training:
Duke CRNA students are exposed to a wide variety of cases and patient scenarios. Gain hands-on experience in various practice settings and patient populations, including active duty military hospitals, Department of Veterans Affairs health care facilities, rural hospitals, academic medical centers and ambulatory surgery centers.
World-class simulation experience:
Utilize the Center for Nursing Discovery, our state-of-the-art simulation facility that is accredited and endorsed by two international simulation professional organizations. Integrate textbook knowledge with hands-on experiences to confidently deliver compassionate care in diverse and complex health care environments.
Unmatched experiential learning:
Participate in a faculty-led, full-semester cadaver course that includes two Ph.D.-prepared anthropologists. This experience, combined with 24/7 access to simulated operated rooms, enhances your understanding of 3D anatomical structures, bolstering your practical knowledge and providing invaluable preparation for clinical settings.
What Can You Do as a CRNA?
Duke’s CRNA program equips you to meet an increasing demand for skilled nurse anesthetists. With our Nurse Anesthesia DNP, you’ll be prepared for versatile and rewarding career opportunities in a wide range of settings, including:
- Clinical practice: The most common path for CRNAs is to work in clinical practice, administering anesthesia for surgeries and procedures in various health care settings. This could include hospitals, outpatient surgery centers, labor and delivery units, dentist’s offices and more.
- Specialization: After gaining experience, CRNAs can choose to specialize in a specific area, such as pediatrics, cardiology or obstetrics. Specialization may allow employment in specialized facilities and potentially higher salaries.
- Education and research: Some CRNAs choose to pursue careers in education, teaching nursing students or other health care professionals about anesthesia. They may also become researchers to improve anesthesia practices.
- Leadership roles: CRNAs with experience and leadership qualities can take on leadership roles within health care organizations. This could involve managing teams of nurses, developing anesthesia protocols or advocating for the CRNA profession.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects job opportunities for nurse anesthetists to grow up to 38% by 2032, making it one of the fastest-growing career fields in the country. While exact figures vary depending on location, level of experience and other factors, the BLS reported a median annual salary of $212,650 for nurse anesthetists in 2023.
Program Director
Jessica Szydlowski
DNP, CRNA, MSN, ACNP
Assistant Dean, Nurse Anesthesia Program
As an advocate for the nurse anesthesia profession, she has served in various state and national professional leadership roles, working with policymakers and legislators to promote the practice of nurse anesthesia. Currently, in her role as Federal Political Director for the North Carolina Association of Nurse Anesthetists, she has been able to incorporate advocacy and policymaking within the School of Nursing community. She has served as Chair on 15 DNP projects, served on 21 DNP student committees and published 8 articles in peer-reviewed journals.
Learn more about Jessica Szydlowski: Scholars@Duke
Meet Our DNP Faculty
Our faculty are renowned scholars who are passionate about igniting a lifelong love of learning in their students. This diverse group fosters a global mindset, empowering you to excel in nurse leadership to confidently solve tomorrow’s health care challenges.
The Duke Difference
Earn your Duke nursing degree or certificate while you continue to work.
Discover our unwavering focus on creating innovative, nurse-led models of care.
Learn from experts in distance-based and hybrid education for over 20 years.
Learn & practice at one of the most advanced health systems in the world.
Our faculty are leaders in their field, with real world clinical experience.
We have exceptional students, learning alongside talented & dedicated classmates.
Nurse Anesthesia DNP Admissions
Applicants must have at least one year (two years preferred) of current, continuous full-time acute care experience in a hospital setting and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited institution.
If you need additional assistance, contact our admissions team by email or phone: 877-415-3853.
We offer DROP-iN Chat for virtual Q+A Sessions along with PROGRAM INFORMATION SESSIONS for application help.
Student Testimonials
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Reflecting on my academic and career path today, I can confidently say that becoming a nurse and, subsequently, a nurse practitioner, has been the right decision. This rewarding journey has allowed me to fulfill my calling and make a positive impact on the lives of those I care for, bringing me immense satisfaction and a sense of purpose.
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At that point in my career, I only had rudimentary medical knowledge; however, witnessing the administration of pain-relieving anesthetic to this wounded soldier was moving. From that impactful day forward, I knew becoming a CRNA was in my future.
Nurse Anesthesia DNP Financial Aid and Scholarships
A Duke CRNA education is a worthwhile investment in your future and the advancement of equitable health care. We provide a variety of financial aid options, including scholarships, to make your education more affordable. For nurse anesthesia students, we offer scholarships based on merit and need to help lessen financial burden, enabling you to concentrate on your studies and career preparation.
Learn More About Financial Aid & Scholarships
The Duke University Nurse Anesthesia Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), 10275 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 906, Rosemont, IL 60018- 5603; (224) 275-9130. The Duke Nurse Anesthesia Program received 10-year reaccreditation in October 2023. The program's next review by the COA is scheduled for April 2033. COA Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. CDT.
Student Achievement Indicators
- Class of 2023 Attrition Rate = 4%
- Five-year Attrition Rate (Classes of 2019 - 2023) = 4.4%
- Employment Rate for the Class of 2023 = 98%
- First-Time National Certification Exam Pass Rate for the Class of 2023 = 90%
- Overall NCE Pass Rate = 99%
The program is 36 months in length.