DNP Nurse Anesthesia Admissions

DNP Nurse Anesthetist Admissions

Admission to the Nurse Anesthesia Program at Ohio University is competitive and selective. Along with these minimal requirements, admissions decisions are based on a number of factors, including cumulative GPA, letters of recommendation, goals statement, relevant experience, and the interview. 

Admission Criteria

1. Baccalaureate degree in nursing from a regionally accredited institution of higher education awarded by the admission deadline.
2. Evidence of current and unrestricted license as a registered nurse in the U.S. with ability to practice in the state of Ohio.
3. Capacity for graduate study as demonstrated by:
   • Minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.20 calculated across all transcripts
   • Evidence of the equivalent of two years full-time experience working as an RN within the past 5 years; including a minimum of one (1) year full-time experience (or its part-time equivalent) as a registered nurse in an Intensive Care Unit within the last three years by the application deadline.
   • Current ACLS (advanced cardiac life support) recognition.
   • CCRN is required by the application deadline.
   • Ability to articulate one’s professional goals and express one’s self clearly as evidenced by the admission essay and interview.
   • Ability to articulate a clear understanding of the nurse anesthetist’s role.

Admission Deadline

The application deadline for Fall 2025 is the end of business on January 6, 2025. All application materials must be submitted and completed by January 10, 2025.

How to Apply

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Nurse Anesthesia (BSN to DNP) applicants should submit the following required admission materials via our online application.

• Complete the Ohio Graduate Online Application for Admission. (Note: The application contains instructions for uploading materials such as resume and essay.)
• Request that separate official transcripts from all previous colleges or universities attended be sent to the Ohio University Graduate College. In order to be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing institution to the Graduate College. See instructions for Submitting Official Transcripts & Final Academic Documents.
  Allow two to three weeks for receipt and processing of ordered transcripts.
• Cumulative GPA of 3.20 or higher
• Submit a detailed professional resume, including all educational institutions attended, RN work experience with start and end dates (month/year), certifications, professional organization membership, etc.
• Three letters of recommendation: from individuals who can evaluate your ability to complete graduate academic work, such as a nurse manager, previous nurse faculty or supervisor. A minimum of two references should be from individuals prepared at the graduate level, at least one should be from an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse or Registered Nurse. Recommendations must be submitted by your recommender using Ohio University's online recommendation portal.
• Submit a Professional Goals Statement.
  • The application gives you a general prompt for a professional goals statement. Your statement should be an academic essay answering two questions:
    • Which advanced nursing role do you want to pursue and why; and,
    • Ultimately, in what type of setting do you wish to practice and/or population do you wish to focus on?
  • This essay is not a creative writing assignment or an appeal to emotion; it is your opportunity to tell the Selection Committee your understanding of the role and scope of practice; why you are focusing on this particular population; your future nursing career plans; and why you will be successful in this rigorous online program.
  • Your statement should be in APA 7th Edition style and should be no more than three pages in length, citing the AACN Essentials document and/or APRN Consensus Model, where appropriate.
• Submit proof of ACLS recognition. Copy of your American Heart Association ACLS card, with expiration date, is required.
• Provide a current, valid, unrestricted Ohio RN license number on the application for admission. The Graduate College will verify current RN license and add proof to your file.
• Provide proof of CCRN by application deadline. (A scheduled date to take the test is not acceptable.) Copy of your CCRN certificate, with expiration date, is required.
• See Ohio University's English Language Proficiency requirements.

Prior to the Start of the Program

Prior to start of program, students must also provide proof of the following:

• Specified health status requirements (immunization status, TB screening, etc. as delineated in the current Graduate Nursing Student Handbook)
• State and Federal background checks free from disqualifying offenses
• Documentation of clearances required by affiliation contracts, such as Office of Inspector General, National Sex Offender Registry, etc.
• Drug Screen
• Payment of $1,000 non-refundable matriculation fee
• Signing of Disclosure and Consent Forms

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