CRNAs are advanced nurses with high autonomy, providing anesthesia for all procedures and settings.
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New Admissions Deadlines: Application period is from May 1 - July 1
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are advanced practice nurses who enjoy a high degree of autonomy and professional respect. CRNAs provide anesthetics to patients in every practice setting, and for every type of surgery or procedure. They are the sole anesthesia providers in nearly all rural hospitals, and the main provider of anesthesia to the men and women serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. To learn more, please visit the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists: www.aana.com
Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree Program Overview
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program with a Nurse Anesthesia Concentration at Loma Linda University School of Nursing is meticulously designed for critical care registered nurses seeking advanced expertise in anesthesia. This rigorous 39-month, full-time curriculum is structured to provide a comprehensive educational experience, adhering to the American Academy of Colleges of Nursing’s Essentials and the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs’ (COA) standards.
The program is fully accredited by the COA as a Distance Education Program and has been designed to take advantage of available distance education technologies to enhance curriculum effectiveness and flexibility. Courses are delivered via both traditional classroom and hybrid distance education formats.
Upon completion of the program, graduates are expected to:
1. apply advanced levels of clinical judgment and systems thinking
2. function as an advanced practice nurse
3. plan, implement, and evaluate evidence-based strategies
Graduates are awarded a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and are eligible to take the National Certification Examination (NCE) that is offered by the National Board on Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA).
Mission
The education of critical care nurses preparing for the role of the nurse anesthetist is dedicated to professional excellence, compassion in clinical practice, education and research, while furthering the healing and teaching ministry of Jesus Christ through commitment to whole person care and Christian values.
Vision
Transforming lives through nurse anesthesia education, professional practice, and research.
CRNAs are advanced nurses with high autonomy, providing anesthesia for all procedures and settings.
Application Period: May 1 - July 1
Documents Deadline: August 1
Education
Baccalaureate degree or equivalent in nursing from an accredited institution.
Academic Performance
Minimum GPA of 3.0, both cumulative and in nursing coursework.
Science GPA of 3.0 or higher
Licensure
Current unencumbered United States RN license at the time of application.
California RN license must be obtained before the start of classes and maintained throughout the program until completion.
Experience
Minimum one year of full-time critical care RN experience (in the United States) at the time of application (excluding orientation); adult critical care experience preferred. Experience is evaluated individually.
Eight hours of clinical observation with a CRNA is highly recommended before the admission interview.
Certification
Current certification in BLS, ACLS, and PALS is required before clinical courses begin and must be maintained until program completion; CCRN preferred
Recommendations
Three electronic recommendations required:
One from a spiritual advisor or pastor
One from an immediate supervisor in the critical care area where the applicant currently works
One from a critical care/ICU coworker
Interview Process (if granted by the Admissions Committee)
Completion of an online questionnaire following submission of the application must be completed by the applicant before the admission deadline.
Completion of the Emotional Intelligence Interview Process, which includes a meeting (in person or via Zoom) with the program coordinator and another Graduate Nursing Program faculty member.
Not all applicants who meet the admissions criteria are guaranteed an interview. Competitive applicants are selected for an interview by the Nurse Anesthesia Admissions Committee.
There are two fees associated with the application:
$120 for the initial NursingCAS application and a $350 secondary application fee.
NursingCAS Applicants - Transcripts must be sent by the issuing institution(s) directly to NursingCAS. You must submit official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions that you have attended. This includes all colleges, universities, military credit, and unaccredited schools. Transcripts provided in any other manner are considered unofficial and will not be accepted for admission.
Returning LLU Applicant - Transcript rollovers between programs are no longer accepted. If you’re reapplying to a graduate program at the LLU School of Nursing, please submit a new application and official transcripts through NursingCAS for processing and verification.
Clinical affiliations have been established with health care institutions within Central, Northern and Southern CA as well as an enrichment site in Ohio and Idaho. Housing is provided for clinical rotations that are greater than 90 miles from Loma Linda University.
Student Health Plan
The University-sponsored Student Health Plan is designed to provide comprehensive medical coverage for the student and his/her eligible dependent(s). The plan includes coverage for hospital care, surgery, emergency care, prescription drugs, and more.
Please see the Loma Linda University Web site for Student Health Services for a complete explanation of the Student Health Plan
The Drayson Center
Students are granted full access to the Drayson Center, Loma Linda University’s recreation and wellness center. The center includes:
A 21,000 square-foot multipurpose gymnasium, which may accommodate three full-sized basketball courts, five volleyball courts, or nine badminton courts.
An elevated, rubberized, three-lane running indoor track.
Five racquetball courts with viewing areas.
Fully equipped men’s and women’s locker rooms.
Aerobics studios and cardiovascular and fitness areas equipped for strength training, sports conditioning, body building, and power lifting.
A 22-foot-high, 150-foot water slide ending in the nearby recreational pool.
An outdoor Jacuzzi and indoor saunas.
Six tennis courts
A 400,000 square-foot multiuse recreational area with four softball fields, a half-mile-long track; and picnic and game areas.
The Drayson Center offers lifetime leisure classes (noncredit), such as low– and high-impact aerobics, ballet, karate, and judo. The Wellness Office offers personal training, massage therapy, and individual nutrition counseling and group nutrition classes with a registered dietitian.
Loma Linda University School of Nursing, Nurse Anesthesia Concentration is fully accredited as a Distance Education Program by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). The Program received the maximum 10 year re-accreditation in 2017 and is scheduled for its next review by the COA in Spring of 2027.
The California State Board has approved all programs offered at the Loma Linda University School of Nursing. Students who decide to pursue a license in another state should check with the applicable licensing authority in that state.
Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs 10275 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 906 Rosemont, Ill. 60018-5603 Main Number: 224-275-9130
LLUSN’s Nurse Anesthesia program stands out for its exceptional clinical complexity and whole-person emphasis. You’ll train in demanding real-world environments with faculty who value both precise clinical judgment and the compassion patients need during their most vulnerable moments.
➡ Why Choose Loma Linda?
Guaranteed Clinical Placements
Yup. You've read that correctly. You’ll never have to find your own clinical site—our team guarantees your placement every step of the way.
➡ Why Choose Loma Linda?
Hybrid: Online when you want. In person when it matters.
Our DNP courses combine remote learning with live sessions and on-campus experiences that help you master advanced clinical skills.
