Could nurse anesthesia programs that are not sponsored by colleges of nursing offer the DNP?
The DNP is proposed by the AACN as the degree for all advanced nursing practice. Some nurse anesthesia programs affiliated with colleges of nursing already award or are considering awarding the DNP. The Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) is an example of a non-nursing degree that has been approved by the COA for a nurse anesthesia program that is not affiliated with a college of nursing. Both degrees, DNP and DNAP, are considered professional doctorates or practice-focused doctorates. Currently, the graduate degree title for nurse anesthesia programs—MS, MSN, MSA, DNP, DNAP, etc.—is determined by the degree- granting university. Institutional authority to grant types of degrees is not expected to change. The AANA does not support a requirement of the DNP as a degree title. Are any nurse anesthesia programs accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) to offer doctoral degrees? The COA accredits both master’s degree and doctoral degre
