The Western Carolina University Nurse Anesthesia Program is a full-time, 36-month Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) track offered through the WCU College of Health and Human Sciences that prepares registered nurses for advanced anesthesia practice and eligibility to sit for the National Certification Examination. Accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), the curriculum blends rigorous didactic coursework with early and sustained clinical immersion at affiliate hospitals throughout western North Carolina and the Appalachian region, with a focus on broad perioperative experience spanning general, regional, obstetric, pediatric, and specialty anesthesia care. Typical cohorts are intentionally small, fostering individualized faculty mentoring, interprofessional collaboration, and development of clinical judgment and leadership skills that support graduates in successful certification and employment pathways following graduation.

Degree Type

DNP

Program Length

28 months, full time

Credit Hours

66 semester hours

Starting Month

January

Application Deadline

May

Program Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Nursing is required.

Current unrestricted license or eligibility for licensure, to practice as a registered nurse in North Carolina.

A minimum of one year of full-time clinical experience within the 2 years prior to application. These hours exclude time spent in orientation or work performed in a supervisory role. Patient care must be direct and involve the application of: Critical thinking skills, Independent decision-making, Working with vasoactive drugs, Working with ventilators, Invasive monitors (e.g., pulmonary artery catheters), Interpretation of electrocardiographic data, Hemodynamic waveforms, Laboratory values (e.g., arterial blood gases, serum electrolytes), Codes, Acute airway management, Administration of sedatives, and Administration of nondepolarizing muscle relaxants. Appropriate critical care experiences include: Surgical, Neuro-Trauma, Cardiothoracic, CardioVascular Intensive Care, Medical Intensive Care, Cardiac Intensive Care, Pediatric or Neonatal Intensive Care. Experience that does not apply includes: Emergency Room, Flight Nursing, Operating Room, Post, Anesthesia Care Unit, ICU Step-down or transition areas, Radiology, or Cath Lab.

Minimum Grade point average of 3.0 based on the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework.

Satisfactory performance on the Graduate Record Examination. Recommended scores of 1000 or higher combined math (Quantitative) and verbal score (Analytical) for the previous version. A combined score of 300 or higher is recommended for the revised GRE exam.

Required Certifications: BLS (Basic Life Support), ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support), PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support), and CCRN (Critical Care Registered Nurse) is not required, but definitely recommended.

Must have completed undergraduate or graduate courses in: Basic Statistics, General Chemistry, and Research with a C or better in each class.

Contact

ph: (828) 654-6517
[email protected]
web: www.wcu.edu