Delaware Nurse Anesthesiology Program Now Accepting Applications
Inaugural cohort is anticipated to start in January 2026.
A nationwide shortage of both anesthesiologists and certified registered nurse anesthesiologists (CRNAs) has created a bottleneck for surgical service expansion. However, in Delaware, a solution is on the way, because ChristianaCare and Wilmington University are partnering with leading health care organizations, including Anesthesia Services, P.A., to offer a program that trains critical care registered nurses to become CRNAs.
The Delaware Nurse Anesthesiology Program (DNAP) will be Delaware’s first doctoral nurse anesthesiology program. The full-time, 36-month course of study will prepare baccalaureate-educated nurses with at least one year of full-time critical care experience to become nurse anesthetists with a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesiology.
The DNAP spans 36 months and combines three years of rigorous didactic education with two years of clinical rotations. Students will be trained to administer anesthesia to diverse patient populations in a range of clinical environments. Graduates will be equipped to apply evidence-based practices and spearhead health care innovation, ensuring better outcomes for all.
Representatives of the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) visited Wilmington University in April to meet with staff, evaluate facilities and review the program’s accreditation self-study. The COA Onsite Review Team found the program to be in full compliance with all Standards for Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Programs – Practice Doctorate. They noted no areas in need of improvement and praised the thoroughness of the self-study prepared by program director Dr. Jacqueline Mainwaring. Having achieved this milestone, the Delaware Nurse Anesthesiology Program is now accepting applications.
Interested candidates can find more information and a link to the online application on the Delaware Nurse Anesthesiology Program web page.
Accreditation Statement
The Delaware Nurse Anesthesiology Program, a collaboration of Wilmington University and ChristianaCare, is pending accreditation by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), 10275 W. Higgins Rd. Suite 906, Rosemont, IL 60018-5603; (224) 275-9130.
