- Academic Programs & Support
- Departments, Schools & Colleges
- College Of Health & Human Sciences
- School of Nursing
- Graduate Programs
- DNP Nurse Anesthesia Program
DNP Nurse Anesthesia Program
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 WCU NA Program works closely with our clinical partners as part of the curriculum and some of these clinical facilities require all employees and trainees to be vaccinated for COVID-19. Placement at some facilities is a core part of WCU’s curriculum. Failure to obtain the COVID-19 vaccination prior to the start of the program may delay or inhibit program progression.
The application deadline for the May 2025 class is October 1, 2024. Interviews will be held late November to early December.
Edit from faculty on Tuesday, October 22, 2024: Due to hurricane Helene, we have faced significant disruption to our application evaluation process. However, we expect to begin issuing invitations to interview at the end of this week, continuing into next. At this time, city infrastructure is operating at a limited level of functionality, so we are anticipating, at the minimum, a reduced expectation for face-to-face interviews, with a possible transition to a completely online process. Details will be forthcoming to those invited to interview. Thank you for your patience during this difficult time for Western North Carolina.
Virtual Open House
Tuesday, December 3, 2024: 5-6:30 p.m.
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.
In Person Open House
Tuesday, November 12, 2024: 6-7 p.m., Room 346
Join us at one of our upcoming in-person Open Houses at Biltmore Park! You'll have the opportunity to tour our Simulation lab, get a better understanding of our application and interview process, and meet current students and faculty members. If you plan to join us, please email our Administrative Support Associate (swilcher@wcu.edu) by Friday, November 8 so we're able to get a headcount if possible, but you may also drop-in. However, faculty will leave if there are no attendees scheduled.
Program Overview
Location: Biltmore Park
Program Length: 36-Months
Small Classes, Low Student-Faculty Ratio
App. Deadline: October 1
100% Overall Pass Rate for Certification
Please visit our Admissions page for complete details on admissions requirements.
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.
The BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program in Nurse Anesthesia is a 36-month program.
Graduate students may transfer up to nine credit hours (with a grade of B or better) with approval of the Program Director. Transfer credit requested for doctoral level courses at Western Carolina University must be designated as doctoral level as noted on the official institutional transcript where the transfer credit was earned.
Reasons to Choose WCU’s Nurse Anesthesia Program
- Open door policy with faculty
- Extensive regional anesthesia experience
- Total anesthetic cases average in excess of 900
- State of the art high fidelity simulation lab with METI Human Patient Simulators
- Diverse clinical experience with no competition from other anesthesia learners
- Small cohort, 17 students per class
- Program faculty with extensive scholarship
- 100% overall pass rate for national certification exam
- Unique learning experiences at three clinical sites where CRNAs are sole anesthesia providers
- Limited opportunities for international service trips
Clinical Anesthesia Experience: Asheville Surgery Center, Blue Ridge Regional Hospital, Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital, Frye Regional Medical Center, Harris Regional Hospital, Haywood Regional Medical Center, McDowell Hospital, Mission Hospital, Norton Children's Hospital, Pardee Hospital, Advent Hospital, St. Lukes Hospital, Transylvania Regional Hospital
Program Director and Core Faculty
2023 Student Data
Female: 53%
Male: 47%
Average pre-admission overall GPA: 3.74
Attrition rate (2023): 6.25%
Overall attrition (2009-2023): 9.5%
First-time test takers (2023): 93%
National average (2022): 83.4%
Overall pass rate (2009 - 2023): First-time test takers: 91.5%
Overall pass rate (2009 - 2023): 100%
Employed within six months of graduation: 100%
Overall employment rate within six months of graduation (2009 - 2023): 100%
Contact Us
Dr. Ian Hewer
Program Director
828.654.6508
Verity Wilcher
Administrative Associate
828.654.6511
Program Resources
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 October 2022, the DNP Program received full accreditation through 2032 (10275 W.
Higgins Rd., Suite 906 Rosemont, IL 60068, 224.275.9130).
COA website