The University of Wisconsin–La Crosse participates in an accredited nurse anesthesia training pathway through a long-standing partnership with the Franciscan Healthcare School of Anesthesia at Mayo Clinic Health System and Viterbo University, where students complete a three-year curriculum that integrates classroom learning at UW-La Crosse’s biology department with supervised clinical training and culminates in a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) credential required for eligibility to sit for the national certification exam as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).

Degree Type

A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

This program provides advanced knowledge and skills in clinical practice, leadership, and evidence-based anesthesia care.

Program Length

36 months, full-time

The program integrates didactic coursework, simulation training, and clinical experiences.

Credit Hours

Approximately 78 semester hours

Credits are distributed across the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Viterbo University, and the Mayo Clinic Health System-Franciscan Healthcare School of Anesthesia.

Starting Month

June

Orientation and foundational courses typically begin in early June.

Application Deadline

August 1

The application period runs from June 1 to August 1 for the following summer intake.

Program Requirements

• Educational Background: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited institution.
• Licensure:
  • Current, unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license in the United States.
  • Eligibility for RN licensure in Wisconsin.
• Experience:
  • Minimum of 18 months of critical care nursing experience at the time of application (24 months preferred).
  • Acceptable critical care experience includes ICU, Coronary Care Unit, Surgical ICU, Pediatric ICU, or Neonatal ICU.
• Academic Performance: Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
• Certifications:
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).
• Prerequisite Coursework:
  • Microbiology (minimum 2 credits).
  • Anatomy/Physiology (minimum 4 credits).
  • Chemistry or Physics (minimum 4 credits).
  • Statistics (minimum 2 credits).

Additional Program Features

• Clinical Rotations: Diverse clinical placements offer hands-on training in anesthesia care for various populations and procedures.
• Simulation Training: State-of-the-art simulation facilities prepare students for real-world clinical challenges.
• Leadership Development: Coursework integrates healthcare policy and leadership training to prepare graduates for advanced roles.

Contact

Phone: (608) 785-0940 ext. 22428

Email: jochman.barbara@mayo.edu

Website: www.uwlax.edu