Nurse Anesthesia Program

Led by a team of expert practitioners, and top nurse researchers, our DNP-NA brings the real world and innovative science into the classroom. Our program faculty - who include many alumni - are nurse anesthetists who practice across a range of settings and are vested in helping you develop your educational and professional career. Mentored by expert nurse anesthetists and anesthesiologists, you'll acquire the critical thinking skills for independent as well as collaborative clinical decision-making.

You'll hone your skills in our state-of-the-art simulation center, performing procedures like placing regional anesthetics, using fiber optic intubating equipment, inserting central venous catheters, pulmonary artery catheters and chest tubes, using ultrasound guidance, performing needle cricothyroidotomies, and placing double lumen endotracheal tubes. And you'll be exposed to experiences that range from common complications to rare occurrences. Our curriculum is divided into four conceptual areas: core courses, area courses, translating research into practice, and leadership and management.

Our robust clinical rotation allows you the opportunity to work with patients of all acuity levels including concentrations in pediatric, cardiac, and non-cardiac thoracic specialties. Our clinical coordinators work to provide you with a supervised introduction to clinical experiences, relying heavily on our excellent faculty to mentor students as they gain independence, critical thinking, and autonomy. The DNP-NA program is a full-time program which can be completed in 36 months.  

Offline Recommendation

Penn strongly prefers that recommenders submit letters of recommendation online through the admissions system. If, however, your recommender is unable to submit an online recommendation, please follow these instructions:

1) Select the “Recommendation Form PDF Download” and download the form.
2) Complete the first section. Be sure to include the address of the appropriate admissions office — refer to the "Contact Graduate Admissions" list below. 
3) Print out the form and provide it to your recommender.

Please note:

• If you are applying to a program in Nursing, print out and provide your recommender with these special instructions for completing your letter of recommendation.
• If you are applying to a program in the School of Social Policy & Practice, print out and provide your recommender with these special instructions for completing your letter of recommendation.

4) Your recommender should send the form directly to the admissions office you designate, along with the letter of recommendation.