The School of Nursing offers a BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program in
Nurse Anesthesia. The 36-month program requires a minimum of 86 course credits, including
core courses and anesthesia specialty courses. The program integrates research, physiology,
pharmacology, pathophysiology, and anesthesia principles and prepares students for
the national certification examination. The application deadline for the May 2021
class is September 15, 2020. Interviews will be held in late October.
At this time, the program will not be offering early acceptance prior to the application
deadline.
**IMPORTANT NEW INFORMATION, UPDATED 8/18/2020**
For this admission cycle, owing to the difficulties experienced by some candidates
attempting to take the exam, the GRE requirement will be waived. However, if you have
taken the exam, please submit your scores for consideration. We also want to announce
a change in our usual interview structure for this cycle only. While in-person interviews
are encouraged, we understand the logistical problems associated with travelling at
this time. Hence, every interview will have the option to be done remotely (via Zoom
or similar) if candidates wish.
Virtual Open House
Thursday February 18, 2021: 5-7pm
Join us at one of our upcoming virtual Graduate School Open House events on Zoom! You'll have the opportunity to learn more
about Western Carolina University, understand the Graduate School application process,
and meet key program representatives.
Please visit our Admissions page for complete details on admissions requirements.
Program Mission
The Nurse Anesthesia Program's mission is to create an academic center of teaching
and learning excellence for the advancement of nurse anesthesia practice. The program
seeks to promote clinical scholarship and life-long learning and aims to support skilled
and ethical service to our communities. Through nurse anesthesia research, education,
and practice, students and faculty will seek to enhance the quality of life for people
of all cultures, economic levels and geographic locations.
CURRICULUM
The BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program in Nurse Anesthesia is a 36-month
program.
Program Director Ian Hewer, PhD, CRNA Assistant Professor
Core Faculty Mason McDowell, DNAP, CRNA Assistant Professor Mark A. Kossick, DNSc, APN Full Professor/Director of Graduate Programs William Wade, DNP, CRNA Assistant Professor
Reasons to Choose WCU’s Nurse Anesthesia Program
Small class size (14 to 16 students per class) and low student-to-faculty ratio; open
door policy with faculty
Diverse clinical experience with no competition from other anesthesia learners
Total anesthetic cases average in excess of 900; unique learning experiences at three
clinical sites where CRNAs are sole anesthesia providers; experience with ultrasound
guidance in placement of nerve blocks
Employed within six months of graduation: 100% Overall employment rate within six months of graduation (2009 - 2019): 100%
Accreditation
The DNP Nurse Anesthesia Program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of
Nurse Anesthesia Education Programs (COA). The Council on Accreditation is a specialized
accrediting body recognized by both the United States Department of Education and
Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). In May 2017, the DNP Program received
initial accreditation through 2022 (222 S. Prospect Ave., Park Ridge, IL 60068, 847-655-1160). COA website
