Updated June 2026 · 10 min read
Part of the CRNA Career Hub — browse every related guide in one place.
Georgetown University's Nurse Anesthesia program is a well-known name on the East Coast, based in Washington, D.C. Here's how the DNP is structured, what admissions actually weighs, and how an ICU nurse builds a competitive application to one of the region's established programs.
Georgetown offers a nationally recognized university brand paired with a dense, high-volume clinical region. The Washington, D.C. metro packs together major academic medical centers, federal and military healthcare, and large community hospital systems, giving anesthesia residents broad case exposure across diverse patient populations. For nurses who want a respected program in a major metro — and who value the mission-driven, whole-person framing Georgetown brings — it's a compelling target.
| Requirement | What Georgetown Expects |
|---|---|
| BSN & RN license | Accredited BSN and current unencumbered RN license |
| GPA | Competitive overall and science GPA; strongest applicants well above the minimum |
| ICU experience | Minimum ~1 year adult critical care; more is better and in higher-acuity units |
| CCRN | Effectively expected of competitive applicants |
| Shadowing | CRNA shadowing recommended to demonstrate informed intent |
| Interview | Selective interview for finalists |
Prerequisite courses, standardized-test policy, and required documentation shift between cycles, so confirm the current requirements directly with Georgetown's School of Nursing. The underlying expectation is stable: strong academics plus genuine high-acuity critical care experience.
Like all accredited nurse anesthesia programs since the Council on Accreditation's January 1, 2025 doctoral-entry requirement, Georgetown awards a DNP. Expect a front-loaded curriculum — advanced physiology, pharmacology, and anesthesia principles up front — transitioning into a progressive clinical residency across affiliated sites, plus a DNP scholarly project. The program is full-time and demanding; working during it is generally not feasible, so plan your finances for a period with little to no income.
The strongest Georgetown applicants pair solid academics with real critical-care depth: one to two-plus years in a high-acuity ICU independently managing ventilated patients on vasoactive drips with arterial and central lines, the CCRN, and CRNA shadowing that lets them speak specifically about the role. Your personal statement and interview should show that you understand what anesthesia practice involves and why you want it — not simply that you want to leave the bedside. Leadership and precepting experience help you stand out in a strong pool.
| Hospital | Area | Notable ICU Types |
|---|---|---|
| MedStar Washington Hospital Center | Washington, D.C. | Level I Trauma, CVICU, burn ICU |
| MedStar Georgetown University Hospital | Washington, D.C. | Transplant ICU, SICU, Neuro ICU |
| Inova Fairfax Hospital | Northern Virginia | Level I Trauma, CVICU, transplant |
| Johns Hopkins Hospital | Baltimore | Level I Trauma, CVICU, Neuro ICU |
| University of Maryland Medical Center | Baltimore | Shock Trauma, CVICU, transplant |
Time in a CVICU, trauma/surgical ICU, or transplant ICU at one of these systems reads far stronger than a community step-down labeled "ICU." Programs want to see that you've managed real acuity.
Georgetown is a private university, so tuition sits at the higher end, and the full-time doctoral schedule means little income during the program. Most residents rely on federal graduate loans and savings. The payoff comes after: new CRNAs commonly start around $185,000–$215,000, with locum and high-demand assignments reaching $240,000–$290,000+. The D.C. metro is a high-cost area, so budget realistically for living expenses on top of tuition. Model your total cost of attendance before committing.
Is Georgetown a good CRNA program? Yes — it's a well-regarded doctoral program with a strong clinical network in the D.C. metro. Verify current pass rates and outcomes on the program's published data.
How competitive is admission? Very. The name recognition and location draw a strong applicant pool, so plan a balanced list rather than relying on Georgetown alone.
Can I work during school? Generally no. The full-time doctoral program is demanding; plan financially for a stretch with little income.
Get The ICU Notebook Newsletter
Clinical tools and career insights for ICU nurses. One email per week, no fluff.
Yes, send it freeNo spam. Unsubscribe any time.