Admissions

Admission to the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (D.N.A.P.) program is considered on a competitive basis for prospective students who are registered nurses and hold a baccalaureate degree in nursing. Applications are reviewed by the Office of Admissions for completeness and referred to the Nurse Anesthesia Program Admissions Committee Chair to determine applicant eligibility for an interview. The Admissions Committee meets after the interviews and reviews the full application file for applicants who were interviewed.

The Admissions Committee will determine which applicants will be accepted. The Office of Admissions notifies each applicant in writing of the admission action/decision. Decisions on acceptance are made until the maximum enrollment for the Nurse Anesthesia Program is reached.

The Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (D.N.A.P.) Program uses a rolling admissions process. Completed applications are reviewed and decisions to interview individual candidates are made at regular intervals during the admission cycle. Interviews are conducted and the selection process of each candidate for admission is made until the cohort is filled. Typically, the applicant is notified of selection status within a day after the applicant's interview date, but this is subject to change.                                                                                        

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to The Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (D.N.A.P.) Program at Midwestern University, students must submit the following documented evidence:

1. Minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
2. Minimum science GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
   • Courses included in the calculation of the science GPA include anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, chemistry, physics, and microbiology.
3. Completion of a baccalaureate degree in nursing, granted by a regionally accredited U.S. college or university.
4. Satisfactory completion with a C or better of all prerequisite coursework prior to the application (grades of C- are not acceptable).
5. Licensure to practice as a registered nurse: an unrestricted license to practice in at least one legal jurisdiction in the United States or its territories. The applicant possesses no previous sanctions or restrictions on the RN license.
6. Minimum of one year of full time critical care registered nursing experience prior to application. Critical care experience includes all types of Adult ICU (Intensive Care Unit), Pediatric ICU, and Emergency Room. Neonatal intensive care unit experience does not meet this requirement. Experience should include management of mechanical ventilation, invasive monitoring, and vasoactive medication infusions.
7. Demonstration of sincere understanding of and interest in nurse anesthesia.
8. Oral and written communication skills necessary to interact with faculty, patients, and colleagues.

Prerequisite Courses

Application Process and Deadlines

To be considered for admission into the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice Program, applicants must submit to the Office of Admissions application packets that include:

1. A completed Application for Admission form to be submitted online at: https://online.midwestern.edu/public/initapp.cgi/prog/AGND.
2. A nonrefundable, nonwaivable application fee of $50 upon submission of online application.
3. Official transcripts verifying completion of baccalaureate or higher level degrees in Nursing from regionally accredited programs and satisfactory completion of all prerequisite coursework.
4. Official final transcripts from all colleges attended post-high school.

Please note: The receipt of the application materials and the status of the file can be tracked on the University's website. Upon receipt of the application the Office of Admissions will send instructions for accessing account information. Applicants are responsible for notifying the Office of Admissions at the above address of any changes in mailing address and/or e-mail address.

All requests for withdrawal of an application must be done in writing via e-mail, fax or letter submitted to the Office of Admissions.

Transfer Policy

The Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice Program may elect to accept transfer students during the didactic phase of the program. Transfer students must apply to the program and, if qualified, must participate in an admission interview. The Admissions Committee must approve all transfer students and will determine the number of graduate transfer credits allowed. In addition, a letter from a student's former program director must accompany the application explaining the reason for the transfer.

Transfer students are not accepted during the clinical phase of the program.