DNAP – Admissions Information
Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice
Choose RVU’s brand new DNAP Program
We are thrilled to be launching our DNAP program at our flagship Colorado campus. Like all the medical programs at RVU, we emphasize a close-knit community environment that helps every student achieve academic and clinical excellence.
We are currently in Capability Review, seeking accreditation from the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). The program’s review by the COA is scheduled for October of 2024 and we are now accepting applications for provisional acceptance for a start date in May 2025. Don’t miss this opportunity to come to mountainous Colorado to be a part of our inaugural DNAP class!
$50,000
Tuition
$4,676
Student Health Insurance*
May ’25
Start Date
Steps to a Medical Career
Application Requirements
To ensure that our program maintains high standards and selects qualified candidates, we have established the following admission criteria:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN): You must hold a BSN from an accredited institution.
- Current RN License: A current and unencumbered registered professional nurse and/or APRN in the United States or its territories and protectorates.
- Minimum One Year Critical Care Experience: Critical care experience must be obtained in a critical care area within the United States, its territories, or a US military hospital outside of the United States. A critical care area is defined as one where, on a routine basis, the registered professional nurse manages one or more of the following: invasive hemodynamic monitors (e.g., pulmonary artery, central venous pressure, and arterial catheters), cardiac assist devices, mechanical ventilation, and vasoactive infusions. Examples of critical care units may include but are not limited to: surgical intensive care, cardiothoracic intensive care, coronary intensive care, medical intensive care, pediatric intensive care, and neonatal intensive. Those who have experiences in other areas may be considered provided they can demonstrate competence with managing unstable patients, invasive monitoring, ventilators, and critical care pharmacology.
- Certifications: You must possess ACLS, BLS, and PALS certifications, as well as CCRN certification or other specialty certification (e.g., ER or PACU).
- Minimum GPA of 3.0: Your undergraduate coursework should have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Organic Chemistry: An organic chemistry or biochemistry course taken within the last five years with a B grade or above.
- Official Transcripts: Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities you attended.
- Personal Statement: Provide a personal statement outlining your goals, interests, and reasons for pursuing a DNAP.
- Letters of Recommendation: Submit letters of recommendation from healthcare professionals, such as physicians, nurse anesthetists, or nurse managers.
- Shadowing Experience: Document at least 16 hours of shadowing a CRNA or Anesthesiologist.
- Interview: Complete an interview with program faculty or administrators.
- GRE Score: Achieve a combined score of 300 on the Graduate Records Exam (GRE).
- Recommended undergraduate basic sciences: physics, pharmacology, statistics, college algebra, or similar math class within the last five years.
- Criminal Background Check: A criminal background check is required as part of the application process.
Admissions Process
Our program participates in the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Common Application Service (NursingCAS) for the receipt and processing of applications. Applications are submitted electronically through NursingCAS https://nursingcas.org/. NursingCAS processes applications within approximately 3-6 weeks. This timeframe may vary depending on the time it takes to receive an applicant’s transcripts and the volume of applications being processed. RVU DNAP’s deadline for submitting a NursingCAS application is January 31, 2025. Applications are evaluated on a rolling basis, therefore, it is in an applicant’s best interest to apply early in the process. Once an applicant is verified in NursingCAS, they will receive an email containing instructions for an interview. These requirements include:
- A minimum science and cumulative GPA of 3.00;
Note: The chances for admission for a candidate with minimal grades are limited. Admission would require outstanding achievement on the part of the candidate during their career or unique individual circumstances. Preference will be given to candidates with a science and cumulative GPA of 3.6 or higher. - RVU DNAP requires candidates to take the Graduate Records Exam (GRE) within 3 years of matriculation. Note: A competitive GRE score is above 300.
- Letters of Recommendation (submitted to NursingCAS), include:
- A letter from a healthcare provider (physician, CRNA, nursing manager preferred or supervisor) who has worked with the candidate.
- An academic reference (order of preference to include Committee, Basic Science Faculty, or anyone who can speak to the candidate’s ability to complete a rigorous graduate school curriculum).
- Be aware that only the maximum number of six (6) letters submitted through NursingCAS will be considered. The Office of Admissions cannot accept letters of recommendation sent directly to RVU DNAP or from any other letter service, such as Interfolio or VirtualEvals.
An applicant’s file is considered complete upon receiving the NursingCAS application, required documents, and letters of recommendation (letters submitted with applications from previous years will not be transferred). We will only consider the maximum number of letters submitted through NursingCAS. We cannot accept letters of recommendation sent directly to RVUCOM, or from any other letter service such as Interfolio, or VirtualEvals.
Applicants meeting these minimum requirements will receive an email containing instructions for receiving an interview. After the admissions committee meets, the applicant will receive notification of acceptance or denial of admission. After the class has been selected, applicants will be offered admission to the RVU DNAP program and given their assigned clinical site. Candidates who initially do not meet the minimum academic requirements are welcome to resubmit updated information through NursingCAS. Candidates resubmitting qualifying information will then be invited to proceed through the process upon verification that the minimum requirements have been met.
Matriculation Process
After receiving the initial offer of provisional admission to the DNAP, candidates must fulfill the conditions outlined in the matriculation agreement, including:
- Successful passage of a drug screen and background check. Both services are to be scheduled and managed through PreCheck and are to be completed by the dates specified on the matriculation agreement. An applicant who has a deficiency or abnormality discovered on either screening will be referred to a sub-committee for further investigation.
- Completion of required medical and immunization documents to be scheduled and managed through SentryMD and to be completed by the dates specified on the matriculation agreement.
- Enrollment in the medical insurance plan provided by the University or submission of a waiver demonstrating proof of comparable coverage.
- Any other requirements outlined in the matriculation agreement.
Transfer of Credits
Each DNAP school’s curriculum is unique and based upon that school’s longitudinal timetable. The DNAP curriculum at RVU is a three-year cohort-based, longitudinal course of study in which the coursework builds upon previously learned precepts. Therefore, transfer requests are not accepted..
The faculty and staff were outstanding and so supportive was the best decision I could have made to prepare for medical school.
I think it is important to have classes that teach both basic biomedical principles and, more importantly, clinically relevant cases. The MSBS program at RVU incorporated both. I know that having this exposure and wealth of information will contribute to my success in the COM.
The MSBS program has helped me learn how to be a better test-taker, which has always been one of my biggest weaknesses. I have always struggled with doing well on standardized tests like the ACT or the MCAT. This program has helped me identify specific weaknesses in this area and find different strategies to address those weaknesses.
My favorite part about the program is that I already feel like I am in medical school. I am challenged, I learn from the same professors as the medical school, I learn about actual medical topics, and I even get to interact with standardized patients.
The MSBS program prepared me for the COM in ways that I could not have even anticipated. The program gave me a strong foundation of knowledge, but more than anything, it taught me how to problem solve and think about information in a clinical and applied manor. My time in the program allowed me to not only be surviving medical school, but to be thriving!
When I look back at my undergraduate experience, I feel like the MSBS program here at RVU has done a great job in preparing me to be successful in medical school. This program has filled a knowledge gap that I had after finishing my undergrad. In addition to gaining knowledge, I have learned to be a responsible and disciplined student. I now prioritize things and focus on the most important ones. My experience in MSBS program not only has shaped my life and made me an active member of the society due to several team projects and services in the community, but has also given me a step ahead here in medical school. As a physician in training and a future doctor, I will continue to be grateful for the decision I made to attend the RVU MSBS program before entering medical school.
The MSBS program gave me so much more than I could have ever asked for. It afforded me time to sort out study habits, testing and time management skills. The program provided a time and place for me to make mistakes, learn from those mistakes and become a better person through them. I knew that someday I would make it into a COM however this program took me from being able to survive in medical school to being able to thrive.
Although the 9 months in the MSBS program were quite challenging, both physically and mentally, I can’t emphasize enough how much it has helped me during my first year of medical school. Additionally, the small class size enabled me to form invaluable connections with each of the professors, who teach in both the MSBS program and the COM. Overall, doing the MSBS program was the best decision I’ve ever made.
Rocky Vista’s MSBS program helped me develop great study, communication and leadership skills that prepared me not only for first year of medical school, but for the rest of my life as a physician. I am so thankful for the program and the faculty at RVU that challenged and supported me throughout the rigorous 9-month program and made me realize what I am truly capable of. I would not be where I am today without the MSBS program.
The MSBS program has more than prepared me for the demands of the COM. Although the program was challenging, choosing RVU was one of the best decisions of my life. The faculty at RVU truly care about your education and the student body is very supportive, which makes for an amazing community. The MSBS program has allowed me to make professional strides, gain confidence in my ability to succeed, and make friends that will last a lifetime.
I knew I wanted to do some kind of post-baccalaureate degree before going into medical school because I didn’t feel like my study skills were good enough to be successful. I decided to come to RVU specifically because of the culture here. The faculty are so incredibly supportive and genuinely want you to succeed in whatever it is you aspire to do. They provide you with the resources to grow as a student, and they view you individually and holistically. You are more than just GPA or test scores. In addition, the curriculum gives you the foundation for what you need to know in a professional medical career so you’re not spending time learning a lot of information that may or may not be relevant to you later.
As a career changer, my academic history looks quite different from “typical” medical school applicants, I knew that I needed a structured program to prepare for the rigors of medical education. After lengthy conversation, it was clear to me that the program faculty would invest as much into me as I would invest in the program and they genuinely wanted to help me reach my goals.
Upon graduating from Baylor, my MCAT was not the best. I knew that I needed to work on improving my score; however, I did not want to take a gap year. I knew that attending a post baccalaureate program was a great option to improve as a student without taking a gap. I chose RVU because of the supportive atmosphere, as well as the many resources available to all students. I appreciated how the school focused on the student overall, regardless of their test scores. The faculty works diligently to make all students feel comfortable, while simultaneously preparing them for the rigors of many healthcare professions.
The MSBS Program is a very rigorous program, so it is crucial that you work hard from day one and don’t fall behind. Everyone has a different way of learning, so take the time to find something that works for you beforehand, and don’t be afraid to make adjustments as the year progresses. While attending RVU, I felt that RVU has provided me the resources necessary to help me succeed in both academic and professional development. In addition, I chose RVU’s MSBS program because of the strong foundation the curriculum provides for continued success in medical school.
Colorado Campus
Colorado Campus
Rocky Vista University Colorado location is located in a small town called Parker, just 20 miles southeast of Denver, which is a place rooted in history and heritage. The spirit of the west that lives here is matched in character only by our embrace of forward-thinking innovation. This rare balance offers experiences that are unique even for Colorado, making Parker the ideal one-day getaway. The community is known for its excellent school system, extensive biking and jogging trails, recreational facilities, dining, and entertainment, as well as a wide variety of arts and community events held throughout the year.
Explore CampusApply Today
*All students are required to have health insurance. Students will be automatically enrolled in and billed for the RVU Student Health Insurance Plan unless they provide evidence of equivalent coverage prior to the waiver deadline date. Please contact the Office of Student Financial Services for more information.