DNP Nurse Anesthesia Program

West Virginia University

To be eligible for the Nurse Anesthesia graduate program, applicants must submit three letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose, along with a bachelor's or graduate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited nursing program and regionally accredited institution, a minimum nursing GPA and cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, and a satisfactory background check and drug screen before the first day of classes. Applicants also need at least 1 year (preferably 2-3 years) of current, full-time critical care experience after orientation, American Heart Association BLS and ACLS certification (with PALS required before beginning clinical activities), and a current, unencumbered RN or APRN license, with proof of an active, unrestricted WV nursing license required and licensure in Maryland, Ohio, and/or Pennsylvania possibly needed during the program. Shadowing a CRNA before applying is strongly recommended, and competitive applicants will be invited for an interview, which is required for admission, though admission is competitive and those meeting minimum requirements may still be denied based on program capacity or academic discretion.