The BSN to DNP Nurse Anesthesiology Education Program offers a comprehensive, rigorous curriculum designed to prepare skilled nurse anesthesia practitioners who demonstrate excellence in clinical practice, leadership, and scholarship. This 90-credit program is structured over 36 months (3 years) of full-time study, combining online coursework, in-person simulation training, and extensive clinical experiences.
You’ll complete clinical training that includes approximately 800 cases with over 2,500 hours of clinical practicum experience. These anesthesia cases include pediatrics, obstetrics, geriatrics, open heart, neurological, plastic, otolaryngology, ophthalmology, urology, orthopedics and radiological. Both elective and emergency anesthetics are given.
Residents obtain clinical experience at a variety of affiliated sites that provide broad exposure to anesthetic practice.
The Nurse Anesthesia Program is committed to using innovative teaching methods to prepare students for clinical practice. The Department of Academic Nursing maintains a dedicated simulation space with access to both high- and low-fidelity mannequins specifically designed to support nurse anesthesia education.
Our simulation-based education allows students to:
- Practice anesthesia techniques in a controlled, safe environment
- Develop critical thinking and decision-making skills
- Experience rare clinical scenarios and emergency situations
- Receive immediate feedback from expert faculty
- Build confidence before entering the clinical setting
This integration of cutting-edge simulation technology with traditional teaching methods creates a comprehensive learning experience that bridges the gap between classroom knowledge and clinical application.
Program Goals and Objectives
Our program's goal is to develop practitioners who translate evidence into practice, transform healthcare delivery, promote patient safety, ensure equitable care, improve outcomes through systems thinking, and advocate for inclusivity.
Drawing from the Department of Academic Nursing's commitment to "transform healthcare delivery, advance health equity, and welcome all," we prepare nurse anesthesia practitioners who make meaningful contributions to patient care.
Guided by our departmental motto to Impact, Include, Innovate, and Inspire, we are committed to:
- Impact patient care through evidence-based education
- Include diverse perspectives to advance health equity
- Innovate with cutting-edge technology and teaching methods
- Inspire future leaders through mentorship and advocacy
We achieve these goals through:
- Implementing advanced learning opportunities including high-fidelity simulation and interprofessional education
- Providing students with diverse professional development pathways including global health missions, service-learning projects, and advocacy engagement
- Maintaining collaborative relationships with the school of medicine and physician assistant studies
- Preparing graduates who are equipped to transform healthcare systems and advance equitable care
Download the Curriculum Plan (pdf)
One particular strength of our clinical program is the diversity of practice models in which residents train. We use an array of clinical sites throughout our region of North Carolina and beyond to afford residents experience with a wide variety of surgical specialties and anesthesia care delivery models.
Our primary clinical affiliate is Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Health which is comprised of a major academic medical center and several outline regional and community hospitals. Approximately 50% of our clinical education is completed at these sites.
We are proud to have numerous clinical affiliations locally and nationally to allow our nurse anesthesia residents the opportunity to be exposed to all types of anesthesia practice models and experiences. Some examples include Massachusetts General Hospital, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Novant Health, Moses Cone, and many others.