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 2022 class is September 15, 2021. Interviews will be held the week of October 25th.
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.
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.
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
Female: 42.9%
Male: 57.1%
Average pre-admission overall GPA: 3.52
Attrition rate (2020): 12.5%
Overall attrition (2009-2020): 9%
First-time test takers (2020): 86%
National average (2019): 84.80%
Overall pass rate (2009 - 2020): First-time test takers: 92.2%
Overall pass rate (2009 - 2020): 100%
Employed within six months of graduation: 100%
Overall employment rate within six months of graduation (2009 - 2019): 100%
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