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Nurse Anesthesia Specialist - Doctor of Nursing Practice

Become a Nurse Anesthetist

Advance your nursing education and professional career by earning your terminal degree and becoming a CRNA. 

The Nurse Anesthesia Specialization of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Murray State University is operated to educate baccalaureate prepared Registered Nurses for a career as Nurse Anesthetists. If you’re a Registered Nurse (RN) looking for more autonomy working with patients in an operating room, intensive care unit, or surgical facility, then becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) might be the perfect job for you.

Blended distance learning format.

The blended distance learning format reduces your time on campus. The first two semesters (Fall and Spring) of the program are 100% online. This combination curriculum of online and distance study allows you to learn from where you live and work during the first year of the program. The remainder of the program is taught in a hybrid format with core courses taught online and specialty courses delivered in a traditional face-to-face format and using Zoom for classroom access. Clinical education during the second year is provided at Baptist Health Deaconess Madisonville, Madisonville, Kentucky or St. Joseph Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky. Students must relocate to one of those assigned communities. Enrichment experiences during the third year are in a variety of settings across Kentucky and Southern Indiana are carefully selected to enhance anesthesia education.

View the curriculum

Affordable tuition.

• Regardless of your state of residence, you will pay in-state Kentucky tuition rates.
• Students complete the degree in 36 months (August-August).
• Doctoral tuition rates

Quality faculty who are expert nurses, educators, and nurse anesthetists.

We are a small program, which means you will get to know your faculty. We are committed to ensuring your education will prepare you to achieve your professional goals in a supportive environment. Our values of compassion, professionalism, excellence, and integrity are encapsulated in the education provided in the DNP program. The Nurse Anesthesia faculty are experienced as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). The Non-CRNA faculty are experienced nurses and educators with a wide variety of clinical expertise that will help you integrate the required competencies and prepare you for a career as an advanced practice nurse.

CRNA Clinical sites

We are committed to serving rural communities by providing increased access to care in hospitals throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky. These rotations allow you to see the full scope of practice of a CRNA and gain confidence with the variety of skills and procedures available at those locations. These rotations prepare you to practice independently upon graduating.

Learn more about Clinical Sites

The average number of cases for Class of 2021 was 1,001 which is above the minimum number required by accreditation standards. Students express high levels of satisfaction with the quality of clinical learning and diversity of opportunities.

Apply for Admission

Applications for the DNP Program are submitted through NursingCas. The deadline for submission of all materials is November 1.

Steps to applying

1. Apply for Graduate School at Murray State University and pay all associated fees.
2. Submit an application to the DNP program through , create an account follow all of the directions for submission. The fee charged by NursingCAS will apply. There are no additional MSU fees.
3. Follow the and send your official official transcripts from all schools you have attended to NursingCAS. Please note, transcripts will be sent to MSU only after you are accepted into the program.
4. Complete a formal interview.
5. Check your email. Applicants will be notified about acceptance by mid-February. Wait to hear from the program via email regarding the status of your application.
6. After you are invited to accept admission to the program, send your transcripts to Murray State.

Admission Requirements

• Undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 grading scale
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited program
• Three professional references submitted via NursingCAS
• One (1) year critical care experience as a registered nurse (excluding orientation to the critical care unit) within the past 5 years and completed by the November 1 application deadline
• Prerequisite Courses:
• Chemistry: organic, inorganic, or biochemistry course 
• Undergraduate Statistics
• Unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse
• Eligible for RN licensure in Kentucky
• Current BLS, PALS and ACLS certification
• Completion of CCRN or NIC certification exams recommended
• If selected, interview with the Nursing Graduate Admissions Selection Committee will be required
• TOEFL score required if English is second language
• If an applicant has been dismissed from or withdrawn from a graduate nursing program, he or she must provide a letter of good standing from all previously attended graduate programs.