Nurse Anesthesia Practice

The USD DNAP Program received initial 5 year accreditation from the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs on October 12, 2022.

According to the COA, critical care experience must be obtained in a critical care area within the United States, its territories, or a U.S. military hospital outside of the United States. During this experience, the registered professional nurse has developed critical decision making and psychomotor skills, competency in patient assessment, and the ability to use and interpret advanced monitoring techniques. A critical care area is defined as one where, on a routine basis, the registered professional nurse manages one or more of the following: invasive hemodynamic monitors (e.g., pulmonary artery, central venous pressure, and arterial catheters), cardiac assist devices, mechanical ventilation, and vasoactive infusions. Examples of critical care units may include but are not limited to surgical intensive care, cardiothoracic intensive care, coronary intensive care, medical intensive care, pediatric intensive care, and neonatal intensive care. Those who have experiences in other areas may be considered provided they can demonstrate competence with managing unstable patients, invasive monitoring, ventilators, and critical care pharmacology.

A minimum of one year, preferably two years of current full-time experience is required at time of application.

Current ACLS, BLS, and CCRN certifications are required at time of application. Once matriculated in the program ACLS, BLS, and PALS certifications will need to be maintained.

A bachelor's or master’s degree in nursing is required at time of application. The program is designed for BSN or entry-level MSN nurses.

Shadowing a CRNA is a requirement, preferably a full shift to see what a typical day is like. Shadow logs are available on the website.

A South Dakota RN license is not required at time of application. However, a current, unencumbered RN license to practice in the United States is required. Prior to matriculation, an unencumbered South Dakota or compact state RN license must be obtained.

Evidence of successful completion of an undergraduate or graduate level statistics course with a “B” or better and evidence of successful completion of an organic chemistry or biochemistry course with a “B” or better is required.

We have clinical site locations in the following states:

• Iowa
• Minnesota
• Nebraska
• North Dakota
• South Dakota