Introduction

The Conducting Organization is Integrated Anesthesia Associates (IAA), a large, private corporation of anesthesiologists. IAA provides the clinical faculty, which is composed of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and Board-Certified Anesthesiologists. We have an Academic Affiliation Agreement with Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) to grant the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) degree. 

CCSU is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The Nurse Anesthesia Program of Hartford is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) to offer the DNAP degree. Our first DNAP entry-to-practice cohort graduated in May 2020.

Initial applications for the Initial applications for the Entry Level Program are submitted directly to the Graduate Office at CCSU before being reviewed by IAA NAPH. Please review the application instructions before submitting your initial application

NOTE: Early Decision

• Available to CT residents who have a cumulative GPA > 3.7 and who meet all program eligibility requirements for Entry Level, are requested to submit a completed application by June 1^st.
• Early Decision candidates granted an interview will be notified of the program’s decision prior to August 1^st
• If an applicant is not accepted for Early Decision, the applicant will be considered for admission with the Standard applicants.
• Applicants can apply for Early Decision only once.

All completed applications received by September 1^st who meet all program eligibility requirements for Entry Level will be considered for an interview. 

Interviews are conducted in the fall and granted to individuals who meet all program requirements for Entry Level by the application deadline. Acceptance decisions are made November 1st. A class of up to 20 students will be accepted to begin at CCSU the following May.

The Entry Level Program is mostly front-loaded with a full year of didactic foundational sciences courses at CCSU followed by the 2-year clinical phase offered at Hartford Hospital, Bone and Joint Institute, the Hospital of Central Connecticut, St. Vincent’s Medical Center, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, and the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Surgery Center. 

We anticipate that our students will perform an average of 800 cases and 3000 clinical hours. Anesthesia-related courses and doctoral coursework are taught throughout the clinical phase (see DNAP Course Sequence — Entry Level). There are scheduled clinical conferences and meetings throughout the program, including various evenings and weekends in which attendance is mandatory.

Due to the sequential nature of the program, transfer credit or advanced standing is not permitted.