Nurse Anesthesia Program, DNP

The DNP program will prepare nurses as leaders to innovate, advance, and achieve high quality outcomes for patients, families, the healthcare workforce, organizations, and communities in complex, interconnected healthcare and public health environments.
In accordance with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education¹ and Penn Nursing DNP program’s Practice Leadership framework, graduates of the DNP program, including all DNP majors, will demonstrate the following proficiencies:

1. Translate and apply evidence into practice and policy to equitably and ethically inform the delivery of health care that advances high quality outcomes.
2. Assess, plan, implement and evaluate person-centered initiatives with interprofessional teams that promote and sustain the health and well-being of individuals, families, communities and populations. 
3. Develop, evaluate, and advocate for clinical, organizational, business, and policy practices that are just, fiscally responsible, and strategic.
4. Conduct and lead ethical, scholarly activities that advance practice knowledge.
5. Apply the principles of safety and improvement science to mitigate risks and prevent errors in the delivery of cost-effective, quality healthcare within a just workplace culture that promotes workforce well-being. 
6. Use dynamic communication strategies to lead sustainable interprofessional partnerships that foster team effectiveness and promote shared values and mutual respect in learning healthcare environments. 
7. Contribute to strategic organizational planning to responsibly coordinate and manage resources, demonstrate value, and mitigate systemic barriers for optimized healthcare services and delivery. 
8. Engage in the design, selection, and implementation of health information systems and patient care technologies to advance data-driven decision-making and evaluation of programs, outcomes, and systems of care.
9. Embody and amplify nursing’s professional identity with a constant spirit of inquiry and reflection that demonstrates individual and collective accountability, ethical leadership, advocacy and professional activism.
10. Using emotional intelligence, cultivate collaborative work environments that equitably promote health and well-being, stimulate resilience, and advance the nursing profession.
11. Develop entre/intrapreneurial acumen to advance innovative health and wellness solutions.
12. Design contextually informed, strategic, and sustainable initiatives that are effectively executed through project management.
13. Demonstrate statistical literacy and independence in conducting and interpreting quality improvement and descriptive analytics and associated data visualization practices.

The BSN-DNP Nurse Anesthesia track aims to develop skilled nurse anesthetists who are well-equipped to provide safe and effective anesthesia care. Graduates of the program will be competent in anesthesia care that emphasizes safety, collaboration, and evidence-based 
practices. In accordance with the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Education 
Programs (COA) Standards for Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Programs: Practice Doctorate², graduates of the DNP Nurse Anesthesia track will demonstrate the following major-specific proficiencies:

1. Collaborate with interprofessional teams using effective interpersonal and communication skills to improve care quality and outcomes.
2. Demonstrate safe, efficient anesthetic plans based on evidence for varied patient populations and conditions.
3. Evaluate and implement improvements in clinical anesthesia practice that are cost-effective and enhance safety and care quality.
4. Assess physiological responses during anesthesia and surgical procedures and use appropriate evidence-based interventions to maintain homeostasis.
5. Demonstrate mastery of biophysical sciences and technical skills essential for safe and efficient practice as a nurse anesthetist.

References

1. American Association of Colleges of Nursing. The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education. American Association of Colleges of Nursing; 2021.
2. Programs CoAoNAE. Standards for Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Programs: Practice Doctorate. February 29, 2024 ed. Rosemont, IL: Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs; 2014.

For more information: https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/nurse-anesthesia/

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2026 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.

Curriculum

A total of 35.5 course units are required.