How to Become a Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice
Doctors of nurse anesthesia practice manage anesthesia during medical or surgical procedures. The steps to become a doctor of nurse anesthesia practice (DNAP) include education, testing, and licensing, after which they can pursue employment. Below, we’ll detail the steps to follow, how long it takes to become a doctor of nurse anesthesia practice, and where to start.
Become a Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice in 7 Steps
To become a doctor of nurse anesthesia practice, candidates must first become licensed registered nurses (RNs). They can then pursue higher education and certification in the specialty.
1
Graduate With a BSN Degree
To become an RN, candidates must earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. A BSN typically takes four years, but many programs offer accelerated options for those with prior degrees or completed prerequisites. While one can become an RN with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), DNAP programs require a BSN.
4
Work as a Registered Nurse
Before an RN can apply to a doctor of nurse anesthesia practice program, they must first gain a few years of bedside critical care nursing experience. To earn critical care experience, nurses can work as RNs in emergency rooms, critical care units, intensive care units, or post-anesthesia care units.
5
Pursue Higher Education
After spending some time at the bedside, nurses can apply for DNAP higher education programs. Doctors of nurse anesthesia practice must earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) to practice.
7
Apply for Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice Nursing Jobs
After aspiring DNAPs earn their degree and certification, they may apply for employment in their field.
Schooling Requirements for Doctors of Nurse Anesthesia Practice
Doctors of nurse anesthesia practice must graduate with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). However, before this degree can be achieved, nurses must first graduate with a BSN.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing gives future doctors of nurse anesthesia practice well-rounded education experience. Typically done over four years, the BSN curriculum covers the basics of nursing care and how the body works, but also teaches more specialized critical thinking skills.
A BSN prepares aspiring DNAPs to handle a high level of critical thinking. This degree teaches high-level concepts like evidence-based practice, community health nursing, statistics used in research, nursing management and leadership, health informatics and analysis, healthcare ethics, and nutrition.
Doctor of Nursing Anesthesia Practice
A Doctor of Nursing Anesthesia Practice degree is the highest level of education a nurse can achieve. This program takes longer than an MSN but may offer higher salaries and more opportunities.
Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice Licensing
Once a new nursing graduate has earned their degree, they must apply for licensure. Doctors of nurse anesthesia practice must have a registered nurse license and a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) designation to practice. To become a licensed and practicing nurse in any state, all nursing graduates must pass the state licensing exam (the NCLEX-RN) and apply for a state license.
NCLEX-RN
The National Council Licensure Examination–RN (NCLEX-RN) is a computer-based exam with 85 to 150 questions. The exam takes anywhere from one hour to a maximum of five hours. Questions fall into four basic categories:
1. Safe and Effective Care Environment
2. Health Promotion and Maintenance
3. Psychosocial Integrity
4. Physiological Integrity
Once completed, the state board of nursing sends test results within six weeks, usually by email. In the time leading up to the NCLEX-RN, it’s important for graduates to study practice questions to ensure a passing grade and many students take NCLEX prep courses to increase their likelihood of success.
Registered Nurse State License Application and Renewal
Each state in the U.S. has a unique registered nurse licensing application process. The state board of nursing will want to see proof of an NCLEX passing result and a diploma from an accredited nursing program. Most states require criminal background checks and fingerprinting, and some may want to see university transcripts.
In most states, RNs must renew their license every two years after initial licensure. Each state has varying requirements for continuing education and other documentation needed for renewal. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing offers a wealth of information on registered nurse licensing requirements by state.
Specialty Certification
Doctors of nurse anesthesia practice must earn specialty certification through the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA). They must also hold certifications like Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).
Where Do Doctors of Nurse Anesthesia Practice Work?
Doctors of nurse anesthesia practice can find employment in several different settings. These may include:
- Hospitals
- Same-day surgery centers
- Pain management clinics
- Private offices that offer outpatient surgery
FAQs: How to Become a Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice
1.What education is needed to become a doctor of nurse anesthesia practice?
DNAPs must graduate with a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited college or university.
2. How many years does it take to become a doctor of nurse anesthesia practice?
The time it takes to become a doctor of nurse anesthesia practice is seven to eight years, plus bedside experience.
3. What are the steps to become a doctor of nurse anesthesia practice?
To become a DNAP, candidates must apply to and graduate from an accredited nursing school, pass the NCLEX-RN, and apply for and receive a nursing license in their state. After these steps and several years of critical care bedside experience, they may apply for doctor of nurse anesthesia practice programs, pursue specialty certification, and apply to DNAP positions.
4. How much do doctors of nurse anesthesia practice make an hour?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), doctors of nurse anesthesia practice earn an average of $102.98 per hour, which equals about $214,200 annually. Nurses with an advanced degree will be able to earn more.
