Western Carolina University

Nurse Anesthesia Program Admission Requirements:

• BSN degree from a regionally accredited college or university, and nationally accredited (National League for Nursing (NLNAC) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) nursing program.
• Complete application for admission to the Graduate School, including official copies of transcripts from all colleges/universities attended.
• Completion of undergraduate or graduate courses in basic statistics, general chemistry and research with a C or better in each.
• Basic, Pediatric, and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification (BCLS – PALS - ACLS). 
• Personal interview.
• Critical care experience should include a minimum of one year of full-time clinical experience (2,080 hours) 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, ventilators, invasive monitors (e.g., pulmonary artery catheters), interpretation of electrocardiographic data, hemodynamic waveforms, and laboratory values (e.g., arterial blood gases, serum electrolytes). Other valuable experience could include active participation in codes, acute airway management, administration of sedatives and nondepolarizing muscle relaxants. 

Appropriate critical care experiences include: 

• Surgical, Cardiothoracic, CardioVascular Intensive Care, Neuro-Trauma
• 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/Cath. Lab

• Satisfactory performance on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). A combined score of 1000 or higher (Quantitative and Analytical) is recommended for the previous GRE exam version. A combined score of 300 or higher is recommended for the Revised GRE exam.*
• Grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale based on the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework.
• Three professional references: one reference must be from a current or recent immediate supervisor.
• Current unrestricted license or eligibility for licensure, to practice as a registered nurse in North Carolina.

Admissions Selection:

Selection will be based on the applicant's qualifications including, prior success in undergraduate and graduate studies, recency of courses taken (e.g., science coursework less than 5 years old), scholarly accomplishment (publications, research), communication skills, additional certifications (e.g., CCRN), intellectual curiosity, communication skills, and potential for professional growth. Exception to any of the admission requirements will be considered on an individual basis. Meeting minimum requirements for admission does not guarantee acceptance for an interview or enrollment into the competitive graduate program.

Highly qualified applicants may be reviewed and 1) offered early acceptance prior to the application deadline or 2) pending seat availability, offered admission beyond the application deadline.

*The WCU School of Nursing is offering free online GRE prep courses to students who submit a completed Spring 2014 application. Space is limited and the prep course enrollment is available on a first come, first serve basis. Please contact Dr. Jessica Shirley, Director of Student Services, for more information.

The Spring 2014 application deadline is May 15, 2013.

To learn more about the admission requirements and application process, please review the CRNA_Application_Packet - Spring 2014.