Updated June 2026 · 8 min read

CRNA Programs in Delaware

Part of the CRNA Career Hub — browse every related guide in one place.

Delaware now has its first in-state CRNA program — a brand-new DNP in Nurse Anesthesiology built by ChristianaCare and Wilmington University. For Delaware nurses, that changes the picture: there is finally a doctoral pathway at home, though a new, single program is competitive, so plan to apply regionally too.

Delaware Nurse Anesthesiology Program — ChristianaCare & Wilmington University DNP

The Delaware Nurse Anesthesiology Program is the result of a collaboration between ChristianaCare and Wilmington University, with anesthesia-practice partners providing clinical training. Announced in 2024 as Delaware's first such program, it is designed to take experienced critical-care RNs through a 36-month doctoral curriculum — three years of didactic coursework overlapping with two years of clinical rotations. For a state that previously had no in-state CRNA school, this is a meaningful new pathway and the natural first target for Delaware nurses.

Clinical Training and Focus

A key strength of the program is its grounding in the ChristianaCare health system, one of the largest in the region, which gives students access to a high volume and broad mix of surgical cases. The model pairs Wilmington University's graduate nursing education with hospital-based anesthesia training, moving students from foundational sciences and simulation into progressively independent clinical work. Building a program around an established health system helps a new school secure the case variety and clinical-site capacity that nurse anesthesia training demands.

Admission Requirements

The program follows the national CRNA template. You will need a BSN (or equivalent qualifying nursing degree) with a competitive GPA, at least one year of full-time adult critical-care experience, an unencumbered RN license, and current BLS and ACLS certification. The ICU requirement is non-negotiable everywhere, and competitive applicants typically bring more than the minimum — high-acuity experience and the CCRN credential strengthen a file; see the CCRN guide. For the complete checklist, review the general CRNA school requirements.

Application Strategy for Delaware

With one new in-state program, plan regionally from day one. Target the Delaware Nurse Anesthesiology Program — note the 2027-cohort window opening January 20, 2026 — but build a list that also includes Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New Jersey to give yourself realistic odds. Strengthen your file with the required critical-care year (ideally more), the CCRN, and a sharp personal statement. For realistic expectations, see CRNA acceptance rates.

Bottom Line

Delaware's first CRNA program — the ChristianaCare and Wilmington University DNP in Nurse Anesthesiology — gives in-state nurses a 36-month doctoral pathway that did not exist before, with the 2027 cohort opening for applications on January 20, 2026. Because it is new and the only in-state option, apply regionally across the Mid-Atlantic as well. For the bigger picture, see how to become a CRNA and the CRNA job outlook.