Anesthesia Entry-Level Program (DNAP)

The 36-month entry-Level Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice program is for registered nurses who have earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) or in another appropriate biological science, from a regionally accredited institution. Didactic studies and seven semesters of clinical experiences enable students to exceed minimum requirements established by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). Students who successfully complete the program are eligible to take the NBCRNA National Certification Examination, the final step to becoming an independent practicing certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA).

Admission

Prerequisite Courses

Applicants must have a GPA of at least 3.0 from a regionally accredited institution for each of the following courses:

Refer to the Transfer Equivalency Guide for non-UM course equivalencies.

• College Algebra, one of the following: completion of MTH 111  with a grade of B (3.0) or better, documentation of successful completion of AP Algebra, or successful completion of Algebra CLEP exam
• Statistics, graduate or undergraduate level
• General Chemistry for Health Sciences (CHM 150 ) or Principles of Chemistry I (CHM 260 )
• General Chemistry for Health Sciences Lab (CHM 151 ) or General Chemistry Lab (CHM 261 ), strongly recommended 
• Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry (CHM 220 ) or Biological Chemistry for Health Sciences (CHM 252 )
• Pathophysiology (NSC 207 )
• Human Anatomy & Physiology I* (BIO 167 ) and Human Anatomy & Physiology II* (BIO 168 );

*Single semester Anatomy & Physiology courses must be five or more credit hours.

Recent repeats of the following courses are required if taken more than ten years prior to application to the program:

• Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry (CHM 220 ) or Biological Chemistry for Health Sciences (CHM 252 )
• Human Anatomy and Physiology I (BIO 167 ) or Human Anatomy and Physiology II (BIO 168 )

Applicants presently enrolled in a single final prerequisite course may apply for admission consideration only if all other prerequisite course requirements have been met. Applications otherwise incomplete will not be reviewed. Documentation of enrollment in prerequisite course must be included at time of application.

Professional Criteria

The following criteria establish the eligibility baseline for admission consideration:

• Current, unrestricted licensure as a registered nurse in one of the United States or protectorates
• Bachelor’s degree in nursing or an appropriate biological science from a regionally accredited institution
• Nursing grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 from a regionally accredited institution
• Cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in required prerequisite courses
• Minimum of one year of experience as a registered nurse in a critical care unit such as SICU, MICU, CCU.  Other critical care units may be considered if the applicant has working knowledge of mechanical ventilation, invasive hemodynamic monitors (e.g., pulmonary artery, central venous pressure, and arterial catheters), and is proficient in vasopressor titration.
• Current employment in a critical care unit
• Evidence of at least eight hours of CRNA shadowing
• Current Basic Life Support provider (BLS) certification
• Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support Provider (ACLS) certification
• Current Pediatric Advanced Life Support Provider (PALS) certification

Due to the length of time that it may take international applicants to become licensed as a registered nurses in the United States, applicants who are pending receipt of a license will not be considered. CCRN, TNCC or other specialty certifications are not required, but strengthen the application.

Application

Program enrollment is limited. Admission is very competitive and highly selective. The Anesthesia Program Admissions Committee gives preference to applicants judged best qualified to succeed.

Early Application Deadline:  September 1

Applications completed by September 1 are considered for early admission to the Fall cohort of the following year.

Regular Application Deadline:  February 1

Applications completed by February 1 are considered for regular admission to the Fall cohort of the current year.

Incomplete applications are not reviewed. The following items must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Programs by the appropriate application deadline for admission consideration:

• Application for Graduate Admission
• Anesthesia DNAP Supplemental Application
• $55 application fee (nonrefundable)
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
• CRNA Shadow Verification Form
• Autobiographical essay of 500-1000 words describing professional goals, health care experience, career expectations, and reason for selecting the field of anesthesia
• Three letters of recommendation, one from each of the following:
  • Dean, director, or faculty member of applicant’s nursing program;
  • Present employer/supervisor
  • Practicing colleague familiar with applicant’s work as a registered nurse

• Copy of military discharge, if applicable (DD Form 214)
• Copy of current, unrestricted, licensure as a Registered Nurse in Michigan or one of the United States or protectorates
• Copy of current Basic Life Support provider (BLS) certification
• Copy of current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certificate
• Copy of current Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certificate

Interview Process

Applicants selected for further review are required to complete the program interview process to retain eligibility for admission to the relevant cohort. 

International Applicants

International students must submit additional documentation; see International Admissions for details.

Transfer Students

The Anesthesia Program cannot accept students as transfers. Applicants previously enrolled in other anesthesia programs must apply through the standard application process. Program transcripts, clinical evaluations and a recommendation from the prior program director must be included with the application. Credit may be given for completed graduate coursework at the discretion of program administration, within University parameters. Course transfer requests are initiated by submitting a petition to the Anesthesia Program Director. Please refer to Transfer of Credit  in the Graduate Study  section for additional information.