Doctor of Nursing Practice (Post-BSN to DNP) – Nurse Anesthesia

  • Doctoral Program
  • On Campus, Online

Meet the Faculty

We believe the doctorate enriches advanced nursing practice by strengthening and expanding our students’ knowledge and skills. It prepares students for careers as expert nurse clinicians and leaders who develop, implement, and evaluate programs of care and transform healthcare systems.   

Career Opportunities

  • The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the annual salary for a nurse anesthetist is $202,000. 
  • Nurse anesthetists work in many healthcare settings, including general medical and surgical hospitals, offices of physicians, outpatient care centers, and colleges, universities, and professional schools. 

FAQ

What is the structure of the program and curriculum?

The program is hybrid online and in-person and delivered in a full-time program of study. Students come to campus for an immersion experience yearly. Students interact with faculty in an engaged learning experience online both in asynchronous and synchronous formats in the DNP courses and  anesthesia courses. A multimedia experience with recorded lectures, discussion boards, and other seminar type experiences occur in the virtual classroom. Regular office hours are conducted online throughout each course by course faculty A student help desk is available.

How is La Salle University’s DNP program unique?

La Salle University’s School of Nursing and Health Sciences faculty has a resolute commitment to developing students’ minds, hearts, and spirits. Faculty emphasize faith, service, and community while working with doctoral students to develop and enhance the skill set necessary to meet the needs of underserved, vulnerable populations through advanced nursing practice independent of and in collaboration with other health care professionals.

Are students able to work during the program?

Once beginning anesthesia courses, students are strongly encouraged not to work. Program director approval must be obtained prior to working during the program.

What types of clinical experiences are provided in the DNP program?

Students engage in direct and indirect clinical practices that implement or evaluate evidence-based projects, or quality improvement work in patient care, administrative, or leadership situations and are in conjunction with individual course objectives as well as traditional anesthesia clinical experiences.

What type of technology is required for the online program?

An updated computer with Microsoft Office and a high-speed internet connection is all that is required to access and engage in the virtual learning environment. Students should be familiar with basics of Microsoft Word, Power Point, communicating via Email, file management, and web applications.

Am I able to transfer credits to the DNP Program?

Students may transfer graduate-level work. Application for permission to transfer courses is submitted to the post BSN to NP Nurse Anesthesia Program Director at the time of admission into the program. Students submit a transcript, course description from the relevant course catalog, and syllabus from the semester in which the course was taught. Students are informed of transfer approval/disapproval in writing. With approval of the program director, students may transfer up to nine hours of graduate-level work into programs that are greater than 36 credits in length. Course credit may be transferred only from graduate programs at accredited institutions, and only courses with a grade of B or better may be transferred. Anesthesia courses will not be accepted for transfer.

What is the tuition cost per credit in the DNP program?

Tuition information can be found here.

2024-2025 Tuition fees and estimated out of pocket expenses:

University Tuition and FeesCostsDescription
Tuition$1470 per credit
Simulation Fee$2000/yearBegins in year 2 of the program and supports simulation experiences integrated throughout the curriculum
University fee$285/semesterGeneral fee for all graduate courses
Graduation fee$100Charge in final semester
Estimated Student Out of Pocket Expenses  Approximate Costs  Description
AANA Membership$200.00Required one-time fee for length of program
Certifications$400.00AHA ACLS/BLS, PALS & NRP
CastleBranch Fees & Charges$350.00
Clearances/Compliances$150.00FBI clearance w/ fingerprinting $50/year x 3
Clearances/Compliances$45.00Child Abuse Clearance $15/year x 3
Clearances/Compliances$150.00PA & NJ Criminal Background Check                  $25-50/year x 3
Clinical Expenses$1,000.00Traveling, parking, gas, etc.
Health Insurance$4,000.00Required coverage for length of program
Malpractice Insurance (AANA)$750.00$250.00 per year
National Certification Examination$995.00
Nursing Licenses$450.00PA & NJ licensure initial fee (renewal every 2 years)
Outside Anesthesia Review Course$800.00Valley Review, Core Concepts, etc.
Physical & Immunizations$300.00Pre-Admission, Flu, COVID boosters & additional
PPD Tests$250.00Pre-Admission, 2x’s per year & for specific clinical rotations
Self-Evaluation Examination$500.00$250.00 x 2
State or national Conference per year$1200AANA, PANA, NJANA
Textbooks$1,000.00Rittenhouse or other supplier of choice

Is there financial aid available? If so, how do I apply?

Information on need-based financial aid and loan programs are available here.

Is there other information on the DNP degree available?

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing has information posted on its web site at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/DNP/index.htm. This is an excellent resource for detailed information about the DNP.

Accreditation

The La Salle University Nurse Anesthesia Program is accredited by The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) as of 11/8/23.

Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA)
10275 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 906, Rosemont, IL 60018-5603

Phone: 224-275-9130

https://www.coacrna.org/

La Salle’s BSN, MSN, DNP and APRN post-master’s certificate programs are fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Access the DNP Student Handbook