Millikin University and Decatur Memorial Hospital offer a full-time DNP Nurse Anesthesia Program for experienced registered nurses. The program combines doctoral nursing study, anesthesia coursework, simulation and clinical training, preparing graduates for the NBCRNA National Certification Examination. Applicants should review the published academic, ICU experience, certification and application requirements.
- Program
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Nurse Anesthesia Program
- Credential
- DNP
- Location
- Decatur, Illinois, United States
- Next deadline
- January 15, 2027 (Application and materials deadline)
- Interview
- One-on-one interviews
- Seats
- 14-16 students per cohort
- Length
- 36 months, full-time
Casper Requirement for Millikin University Nurse Anesthesia
Confirm with Millikin University Nurse Anesthesia whether Casper is required for your application year.
- Languages
- English
Check available Casper test dates in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.
Contact the program to confirm whether Casper is required for this application.
Millikin University Nurse Anesthesia Application Deadlines 2026-2027
- Apply through
- NursingCAS
- Applications open
- August 8, 2026
- Application fee
- NursingCAS: $90 for the first graduate program and $60 for each additional graduate program in the 2026-2027 cycle; a program-specific supplemental fee may apply.
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Application and materials deadline | January 15, 2027upcoming |
Submit all application materials through NursingCAS, including official transcripts from every undergraduate and graduate institution attended. Foreign transcripts require a course-by-course WES or ECE evaluation.
Millikin University Nurse Anesthesia Admissions Statistics
Period: Graduating class of 2025
- Seats / class size: 14-16 students per cohort
- Employment at six months: 100%
- First-time certification exam pass rate: 100%
- Total anesthesia hours: 1,731
- Total anesthesia cases: 887
- Total clinical hours: 2,723
- Attrition rate: 0.06
Specific statistics unavailable.
Eligibility Requirements for Millikin University Nurse Anesthesia
- Degree / credits
BSN or MSN in nursing; a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field alone does not qualify. An RN completing a BSN may apply if the degree is completed by the end of the summer term before January enrollment.
- Language proficiency
International applicants must provide English-language transcripts, an official foreign-credential evaluation and proof of English proficiency; Millikin specifies a minimum TOEFL score of 550. Contact the Graduate Nursing Director before applying about additional requirements.
Provide official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions and a valid, unencumbered RN license when applying.
Other requirements
- RN license: Valid, unencumbered RN license when applying; obtain and maintain an Illinois RN license before enrollment.
- Certifications: Provide BLS, ACLS, PALS and CCRN; CCRN proof must include its number and score and is due by the application deadline.
- Clinical observation and skills forms: Submit the Validation of Anesthesia Clinical Observation Form and Critical Care Skills Checklist Form.
Selection Factors Millikin University Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Organic chemistry or biochemistry with lab | Undergraduate course; grade C or better before application General chemistry does not qualify. |
| Graduate-level statistics | Grade B or better before enrollment Undergraduate statistics does not qualify; Millikin NU-512 is an option. |
GPA
- How it is calculated
Millikin reviews undergraduate cumulative GPA as well as nursing and science course GPAs.
- Minimum
- 3.0 undergraduate cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale; applicants below 3.0 must provide GRE scores.
- Competitive
- A GPA below 3.5 may be less competitive.
GRE completion is recommended if nursing GPA is below 3.0 or to improve competitiveness.
Admissions tests
- GRE (required for some applicants): Provide scores if undergraduate cumulative GPA is below 3.0; the program also recommends GRE completion if nursing GPA is below 3.0 or an applicant wants to improve competitiveness.
- TOEFL (required for some applicants): International applicants must provide proof of English proficiency; Millikin specifies a minimum TOEFL score of 550.
Experience and volunteer hours
Required.
At least one year of recent adult ICU nursing experience as an independent RN, excluding orientation and preceptorship; two or more years and current ICU experience are preferred. Operating room, PACU, step-down and emergency department experience do not meet the requirement.
Supplementary application
Submit a current résumé or CV, a one- to two-page statement of personal and professional DNP goals (1,000 words maximum), and three written recommendations on the NAP-SON form. One recommendation must come from a direct critical care supervisor.
How applicants are ranked
The joint Admissions Committee reviews submitted materials using an admissions rubric and invites applicants it judges most likely to succeed. Interviewers score candidates; the committee votes on offers and alternates, subject to final approval by Millikin’s School of Nursing Graduate Studies Committee.
Interview Format at Millikin University
Format: One-on-one interviews
Invited candidates interview individually with members of the joint Admissions Committee. Offers are normally communicated about two weeks after the last interview; an alternate list may be used.
- Who is invited
- Selected applicants after committee review.
- When
- Early April; exact interview dates are not published.
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Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at Millikin University Nurse Anesthesia
- Program length
- 36 months, full-time
- Structure
88 credits of continuous, full-time cohort study, including more than 2,400 clinical practicum hours. Doctoral nursing coursework is concentrated in the first 18 months; anesthesia-specific courses and clinical rotations follow in the last 18 months.
- Campuses
- Decatur
Graduates are eligible for the NBCRNA National Certification Examination.
Campus and facilities
The program is based at Millikin University and Decatur Memorial Hospital in Decatur. Students have access to the Memorial Center for Learning and Innovation simulation center and complete specialty clinical training through the program’s practice partners.
Tuition and Funding at Millikin University
- DNP-NAP tuition, Fall 2026-Spring 2027: $1,195 per credit hour
- Doctoral registration deposit: $1,000
Published rates cover Fall 2026-Spring 2027 and may differ during later terms of the program.
What Applicants Are Saying
Students report intense schedules fostering resilience, though some describe the Decatur Memorial Hospital environment as demanding with variable morale. Matriculated students note a focused, residency-like atmosphere at the hospital, prioritizing patient care over traditional academic breaks. Current student feedback highlights rigorous support structures, balanced against reports of low morale in clinical settings. Students describe clinical training as transformative yet challenging. Past applicants report multiple cycles needed for success.
Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.
How to Prepare Your Millikin University Nurse Anesthesia Application
- Confirm your BSN or MSN in nursing and valid RN license.
- Document at least one year of independent adult ICU nursing experience.
- Complete the chemistry or biochemistry-with-lab prerequisite and plan graduate statistics.
- Maintain BLS, ACLS, PALS and CCRN certifications.
- Request transcripts and three NAP-SON recommendations early.
- Prepare the goals statement, observation form and skills checklist.
- Submit all materials through NursingCAS by the program deadline.
- Prepare for an individual committee interview.
Frequently Asked Questions About Millikin University Nurse Anesthesia
Does Millikin University Nurse Anesthesia Program require Casper?
Millikin’s published admissions requirements do not specify Casper for this application. Contact the program to confirm before booking a test.
What is the GPA requirement for Millikin Decatur Memorial Nurse Anesthesia?
Millikin expects a 3.0 undergraduate cumulative GPA; applicants below 3.0 must provide GRE scores. A GPA below 3.5 may be less competitive.
Is an interview required for Millikin University DNP Nurse Anesthesia?
Selected applicants interview individually with members of the joint Admissions Committee. Interviews normally take place in early April.
What is the curriculum length for Decatur Memorial Hospital Nurse Anesthesia Program?
The full-time DNP takes 36 months and comprises 88 credits and more than 2,400 clinical practicum hours.
Does Millikin University Nurse Anesthesia Program require GRE?
Provide GRE scores if undergraduate cumulative GPA is below 3.0. Millikin also recommends the GRE if nursing GPA is below 3.0 or to improve competitiveness.
How competitive is Millikin Decatur Memorial CRNA program admissions?
Memorial describes cohorts of 14-16 students. The committee reviews applications, interviews selected candidates and may name alternates.
What clinical experience is needed for Millikin University Nurse Anesthesia?
At least one year as an independent RN in an adult ICU is required; two or more years and current ICU experience are preferred.
Where are clinical rotations for Millikin DNP Nurse Anesthesia?
Anesthesia-specific courses and clinical rotations form the latter part of the program, which is delivered with Memorial Health and other practice partners.
Sources
- Millikin Nurse Anesthesia, DNP
- Millikin 2026 RNAI Handbook
- Acuity Insights Dates and Fees
- Memorial Health Nurse Anesthesia Program
- Millikin Graduate Tuition & Fees
- NursingCAS Application Fees and Fee Waivers
Last updated: September 26, 2026