MTSA Planning for DNAP

The Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia (MTSA) is moving toward the establishment of a Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) degree. MTSA has offered the Master of Science degree with a focus in Nurse Anesthesia since 1994. The MTSA Board of Trustees approved that the institution would move forward with the establishment of the DNAP program within the next few years.  MTSA is in the process of accomplishing the necessary groundwork to apply for the appropriate and required authorizations and accreditations. 

Many changes will be necessary as the proposed program development begins, including curriculum and faculty development.  One avenue being developed by MTSA is a DNAP “completion” degree for CRNAs, as well as for a few selected students, where those students would choose to complete their master’s degree and then extend their time in the program to “complete” their doctorate with added coursework.  Additional faculty members with the terminal degree are being added in anticipation of the DNAP, while facility improvements will likely be required as MTSA considers the impact of more students and faculty on campus.