The DNP program is 36 months of full-time study. The School uses an integrated curriculum design that complements the learning styles of the adult learner. Following completion of core nursing courses, applied sciences, and introductory courses in pharmacology and principles of practice, the nurse anesthesia student is introduced to the clinical practice of nurse anesthesia. Didactic content is integrated throughout the 20-month clinical residency and includes advanced principles of practice, evidenced-based research and completion of a DNP Project, seminar presentations, clinical conferences, and professional meetings.
Year I
Fall
NSG 400: Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice (4 qtr hours)
NSG 500: Physics and Chemistry of Anesthesia (6 qtr hours)
NSG 554: Informatics & Technology Applications (4 qtr hours)
Winter
NSG 501: Anatomy & Physiology I (6 qtr hours)
NSG 522: Finance and Costing in Healthcare (4 qtr hours)
NSG 540: Culture, Ethics, and Policy Analysis (4 qtr hours)
Spring
NSG 502: Anatomy & Physiology II (6 qtr hours)
NSG 509: Advanced Physical Assessment for Nurse Anesthetists (2 qtr hours)
NSG 552: Program Evaluation (4 qtr hours)
Summer
NSG 503: Pathophysiology for Nurse Anesthetists (6 qtr hours)
NSG 508: Adjunctive Pharmacology for Nurse Anesthetists (4 qtr hours)
Year II
Fall
NSG 504: Principles of Anesthesia (4 qtr hours)
NSG 507: Anesthetic Pharmacology (6 qtr hours)
Winter
NSG 580: Biostatistics & Research Methods for Advanced Practice (4 qtr hours)
NSG 610: Anesthesia Practicum I (4 qtr hours)
Spring
NSG 600: Evidence-Based Practice Research I (4 qtr hours)
NSG 611: Anesthesia Practicum II (4 qtr hours)
Summer
NSG 550: Healthcare Economics (4 qtr hours)
NSG 612: Anesthesia Practicum III (4 qtr hours)
Year III
Fall
NSG 601: Evidence-Based Practice Research II (4 qtr hours)
NSG 613: Advanced Anesthesia Practicum I (4 qtr hours)
Winter
NSG 602: DNP Project Hours (4 qtr hours)
NSG 614: Advanced Anesthesia Practicum II (4 qtr hours)
Spring
NSG 603: DNP Project Hours Cont. (0 qtr hours)
NSG 551: Leadership and Organizational Behavior (4 qtr hours)
NSG 615: Advanced Anesthesia Practicum III (4 qtr hours)
Summer
NSG 616: Advanced Anesthesia Practicum IV (4 qtr hours)
Clinical Residency
The 20-month clinical residency consists of seven sequential practicums where the nurse anesthesia student works under the instruction/supervision of a CRNA or anesthesiologist. A progressive intensity of clinical experience provides the opportunity to demonstrate competencies in specific knowledge, skills and attitudes. The student will administer approximately 950 general and regional anesthesia to all patient populations and for all surgical and diagnostic procedures including but not limited to general surgery, orthopedics, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, geriatrics, transplant, thoracic, open heart, neurosurgery, trauma, and office-based anesthesia.
The School utilizes the resources of a large selection of clinical sites (community hospitals, academic departments, research institutions, ambulatory surgeries and office-based practices) to provide a rich and intense clinical experience. Currently, the clinical residency is completed at 18 clinical sites:
- Advocate Christ Medical Center, Oak Lawn, IL
- Advocate South Suburban Hospital, Hazel Crest, IL
- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
- NorthShore Evanston Hospital, Evanston, IL
- Franciscan Health, Hammond and Dyer, IN
- NorthShore Glenbrook Hospital, Glenview. IL
- Gottlieb Memorial Hospital. Melrose Park, IL
- NorthShore Highland Park Hospital. Highland Park, IL
- Mount Sinai Hospital, Chicago, IL
- Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Chicago, IL
- AMITA Health St. Joseph Hospital, Elgin, IL.
- AMITA Health St. Joseph Medical Center, Joliet, IL
- NorthShore Skokie Hospital, Skokie, IL
- St Catherine Hospital, East Chicago, IN
- Swedish Hospital, Chicago, IL
- University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL
- University of Illinois Medical Center, Chicago, IL
Clinical assignments are dependent upon the length of time in the program, available resources at the site (cases and faculty), and the individual's ability to benefit from the rotation. The school reserves the right to select, revise, or terminate clinical affiliate sites at any time.
Time Commitment
The program is designed for full-time study. During clinical residency, the time commitment to residency, lectures, and personal study average 60 hrs/week.