Creighton launches nurse anesthesia program to meet critical care demands in Nebraska
Creighton launches nurse anesthesia program to meet rural health needs
The College of Nursing has announced the launch of its Doctor of Nursing Practice—Nurse Anesthesia (DNP-NA) program. The initiative comes in direct response to a growing shortage of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), especially in rural areas where CRNAs are often the sole anesthesia providers. Creighton’s program is designed to not only meet this demand but to shape a new generation of nurse anesthetists grounded in clinical excellence and Jesuit values.
“This is a pivotal and exciting moment for Creighton, the College of Nursing and for the communities we serve,” said Holly Chandler, EdD, CRNA, FAANA, founding program director. “The CRNA program comes at a time when the healthcare system is facing a shortage of anesthesia providers — a shortage that directly impacts surgical access and patient outcomes.”
A shortage that affects every corner of the state
According to the Nebraska Nurses Association, in Nebraska, 100% of critical access hospitals rely solely on CRNAs for anesthesia care. These hospitals are small, rural facilities designated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to ensure basic healthcare access in remote areas, particularly those more than 35 miles from another hospital. They often operate with limited resources and personnel, yet serve as lifelines for emergency, surgical and inpatient care.
CRNAs are indispensable in these settings — providing expert care during surgeries, labor and delivery, trauma response and more. Without them, many Nebraskans would face significant barriers to essential procedures.
This challenge is mirrored across the country. A growing rural population, aging workforce and increasing demand for surgical services are contributing to a widening gap in anesthesia care. Launching in August 2027, Creighton’s DNP-NA program addresses that need by preparing nurse anesthetists who are not only clinically prepared but also rooted in service and mission.
A curriculum rooted in mission and experience
A key differentiator of Creighton’s program is its commitment to cura personalis — care for the whole person. The DNP-NA curriculum emphasizes both technical expertise and ethical formation, preparing graduates to lead with competence and compassion.
Students will complete more than 2,500 clinical hours and 300 hours of immersive simulation training. They will also receive advanced instruction in pain management, Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) and regional anesthesia. Clinical partnerships with CommonSpirit Health and CHI Health provide access to both urban and rural practice settings, ensuring students are prepared for a wide range of clinical environments.
Students will also benefit from a curriculum that integrates interprofessional collaboration, ethics, technology and leadership training, helping them develop as compassionate and confident professionals ready to serve in both high-acuity hospital settings and underserved communities.
Chandler emphasized that the strength of the curriculum is matched by Creighton’s mentorship culture and mission focus. With over 15 years of experience in nurse anesthesia education, academic leadership and healthcare simulation, Chandler brings deep academic expertise in addition to her workforce advocacy and clinical excellence.
She has held previous faculty and leadership positions at Bryan College of Health Sciences and served as a CRNA at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. A Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (FAANA) and a former president of the Nebraska Association of Nurse Anesthetists, Chandler has led statewide efforts to improve provider access and education. She is also a published researcher and frequent speaker on student advocacy and workforce development.
Continuing a legacy of excellence
The launch of the DNP-NA program extends Creighton’s longstanding tradition of forming professionals who serve where they are needed most.
“As healthcare demands grow and surgical care advances, the need for highly trained nurse anesthetists has never been more urgent,” said Jessica Clark, DNP, RN, dean of the College of Nursing. “With Dr. Chandler’s clinical and academic expertise, we are building a program with a uniquely Creighton curriculum—designed to prepare the next generation of nurse anesthetists to lead with skill, compassion and purpose.”
ACCREDITATION STATEMENT
Creighton University’s College of Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice—Nurse Anesthesia program is currently under review for initial accreditation by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). No students may be enrolled in the program until initial accreditation is granted. A decision on accreditation is anticipated at the COA’s May 2027 meeting.
