This page was last updated in 2022.
Northern Kentucky University
DNP – Nurse Anesthetist Program
Albright Health Center 206
Nunn Drive
Highland Heights, KY 41099
Contact Information
Judy Audas, DNAP, APRN, CRNA
Director of the Nurse Anesthesia Program
ph: (859) 572-5627
email: audasj1@nku.edu
Quick Facts
CRNA Degree offered
DNP – Nurse Anesthesia Program, Post-Master’s DNP (completion)
Program Length
36 months, full-time
Credit Hours
106 semester hours
Starting Month
May
Application Deadline
Applications open from June 1st – August 31st
Entire Cost of CRNA School for Northern Kentucky University DNP – Nurse Anesthetist Program
Cost is for the entire length of the program. Tuition is calculated at the Class of 2019-2020 rate. Tuition at most schools increases each academic year. Over the duration of the program, expect to pay a tuition that is 5% to 15% higher than what is shown here.
Cost of In-State Tuition: $79,076
*Fees and expenses: $20,965
Grand Total: $100,041
Cost of Non-Resident Tuition: $101,124
*Fees and expenses: $20,965
Grand Total: $122,089
*Fees and the estimated cost of textbooks.
Class Size
20 students
CRNA Training
In this integrated program, coursework and clinical experience are simultaneous for most of the program.
In the Fall semester of your first year, you’ll get an introduction to the SimLab. After that, each semester will be a mix of clinicals and coursework.
Their clinical sites provide a wide range of anesthesia experience and rural locations.
Clinical sites include St Elizabeth’s Medical Center, Edgewood, Florence, Fort Thomas, Bethesda North, Good Samaritan, Mercy West Hospital, Jewish, and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.
CRNA Program Requirements
Required Bachelor Degree
Baccalaureate or higher degree in nursing from an institution accredited by the ACEN, NLNAC, or the CCNE.
RN:
Current RN license. Out-of-state applicants must obtain a Kentucky and Ohio Nursing License prior to admission into the program.
Critical Care:
A minimum of one year, full-time critical care* experience as an RN within the past 2 years.
Areas that are not considered critical care include, but are not limited to the following:
- Neonatal ICU
- PACU
- Cardiac Cath Lab
- Operating Room
- Emergency Room
*Critical care is defined by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) as: “Critical care experience must be obtained in a critical care area within the United States, its territories or a US military hospital outside of the United States. During this experience, the registered professional nurse has developed critical decision making andards for Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Programs, Practice Doctorate, 2016)
GPA:
Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for undergraduate studies.
Science GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
GRE scores:
GRE is not required.
TOEFL:
Must show proficiency in English by submitting one of the following and must have been taken within the last 2 years:
- Submit a TOEFL score of 550 paper-based or 79 internet-based.
- Submit an IELTS band of 6.5.
- Submit an ACT of 20 or higher or an SAT writing sub-score of 540 and critical reading score of 470.
Certifications:
- BLS (Basic Life Support) – Required for application
- ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) – Required for application
- CCRN (Critical Care Registered Nurse) – Required for BSN-DNP application
- PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) – Required prior to admission
Prerequisite Courses
- Statistics
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Chemistry
- Microbiology
Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher with these courses.
Shadowing Experience
Must complete documentation with either a CRNA or an anesthesiologist.
Northern Kentucky University DNP – Nurse Anesthetist Program
CRNA School Performance
Accredited CRNA Programs are reviewed regularly.
Northern Kentucky University DNP – Nurse Anesthetist Program was initially reviewed 01/2017. It was given 5 years accreditation and will be reviewed again 2022.
Pass Rate for CRNA Boards at Northern Kentucky University
First-time test takers: 93.33%
Attrition Rate
6% (2020).
Employment Rate
100% within six months of graduation.
CRNA Salaries
An average nurse anesthetist salary in Northern Kentucky University DNP – Nurse Anesthetist Program, Kentucky.
Kentucky CRNA salaries are below the national average with an annual mean wage of $167,400.
An average annual nurse anesthetist salary in the US is $181,040 (according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2019 study)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can students work while they’re in the program?
Due to heavy course and on time commitment. Didactic courses do follow the University calendar.
Students may choose to seek outside employment only if they are maintaining satisfactory academic progress.
All information given on this site about Northern Kentucky University DNP – Nurse Anesthetist Program was taken directly from their website.
Salaries pulled from Bureau of Labor Statistics
Did you find an error on this page? Please report it here