Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice

The Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) program is designed for registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree who want to move into leadership positions in nurse anesthesia.

The mission of the program goes beyond preparing students to be skilled practitioners; it also seeks to develop forward-thinking leaders who can help advance the profession.

The program is administered through Gonzaga University's School of Health Sciences in collaboration with the School of Anesthesia at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center. It is jointly owned and operated by Gonzaga University and Providence Health Care.

Program Structure & Curriculum

• Full-time, 36-month (9-semester)
• Hybrid options
• 88 credit hours
• Per credit - $1,345

Minimum of 2,800 clinical hours including a set number of required cases.

Clinical Transformation Project—which every student is required to undertake—involves the scholarly analysis, evaluation, or improvement of a specific aspect of clinical practice. Examples include implementing evidence-based guidelines, developing a training program, or preparing a scholarly publication.

The Gonzaga Advantage:

• Minimal Competition: Gonzaga’s DNAP students are the exclusive anesthesia learners at affiliation sites, with ample case volumes.
• Practicing Faculty: All instructors are active CRNAs delivering up-to-date clinical teaching and addressing current industry issues.
• Integrated Nurse Anesthesia Program: Clinical practicum starts in the second semester and runs throughout the course.
• Excellent Certification First-time Pass Rate is 98%: Since 1979, only 9 students have failed the National Qualifying Exam.
• Competitive Pricing: DNAP cohort members enjoy favorable per-credit costs compared to market alternatives.
• Jesuit Experience: Gonzaga fosters humanistic collaborative community rooted in its Jesuit mission, engaging students, faculty, and local communities for positive impact.