One year after welcoming its inaugural cohort, students in Edgewood University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice-Nurse Anesthesia (DNP-NA) program have transitioned from the classroom into clinical education.

To celebrate the twelve students who completed their first year of intensive preparation, Edgewood held a capping ceremony on August 14 at the University’s Center for Health Sciences. Each member of the Class of 2028 received a surgical scrub cap before beginning clinical rotations throughout Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, and Michigan.

Over the next two years, these future Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) will gain hands-on experience with a wide range of patients, procedures and health care settings. The 36-month program requires a minimum of 2,000 clinical hours, with students progressively assuming greater responsibility as they develop their anesthesia skills.

Edgewood launched the program in 2025 to prepare highly skilled, compassionate CRNAs who can provide safe, comprehensive anesthesia care while developing the leadership skills needed in today’s complex health care environments. The program also responds to the growing need for anesthesia providers, particularly in rural communities where CRNAs are often the sole anesthesia providers.

The program’s momentum extends beyond its inaugural class. Mary Scott-Herring (DNP, MS, CRNA), associate professor and assistant program director, was recently inducted as a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (FAANA), recognizing her leadership and contributions to the profession. Scott-Herring and program director Dr. Ann Madden (DNP, CRNA) also represented Edgewood at the World Congress of Nurse Anesthesia in Brisbane, Australia, presenting their scholarly work.

Dr. Madden explained, “With the addition of 16 students to our newest cohort, Edgewood University’s Nurse Anesthesia Program continues to grow with purpose. We are not simply educating the next generation of CRNAs. We are building Wisconsin’s anesthesia workforce. Our goal is to prepare highly skilled, independent CRNAs who will expand access to safe, high-quality anesthesia care and help close the health care gap in rural and underserved communities across our state.”

From simulation labs to hospitals throughout the region, the program is preparing advanced practice registered nurses prepared to serve Wisconsin and beyond. Applications are open for the 2027–28 academic year through December 15, 2026.