New Admissions Deadlines: Application period is from June 1 - August 1. 

New Documents Deadline: All official documents must be submitted by September 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 degree program of the Loma Linda University School of Nursing, Nurse Anesthesia Concentration offers a didactically front-loaded, 39-month, full-time graduate curriculum designed to educate critical care registered nurses in the nurse anesthetist role across the lifespan. The program’s curriculum follows the American Academy of Colleges of Nursing’s Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice and the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs’ (COA) Practice Doctorate Standards for Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Programs. It consists of graduate-level core nursing courses, nurse anesthesia concentration courses, clinical courses and Doctor of Nursing Practice Inquiry Project courses.  It is designed to move students from foundational content through concepts and principles necessary for anesthesia practice to a clinical practicum sequence for learning and refining of professional clinical practice.

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.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Nurse Anesthesia Concentration follows applicable policies and procedures of LLU and the School of Nursing and is overseen by the Nurse Anesthesia Concentration Admissions Committee.  This committee intends that applicants are qualified for the proposed curriculum and capable of benefiting from the educational experience. This is accomplished through examination of evidence of scholastic competence, requisite licensure, clinical experience, moral and ethical standards, and significant qualities of character and personality. The application period is from June 1 - August 1. All official documents must be submitted by September 1. 

  • Application with personal statement.
  • An on-line questionnaire will be generated once the application is submitted. The questionnaire must be completed by the applicant before the admission deadline.
  • Baccalaureate or Master's degree in nursing from a regionally accredited program.
  • Cumulative GPA – 3.0 or higher.
  • Science GPA - 3.0 or higher.
  • Unrestricted Registered Nurse license in the United States; unrestricted Registered Nurse license in California before matriculation and must be maintained until program completion.
  • Minimum 1 year, full-time critical care RN experience (in the U.S.) at time of application (excluding orientation). Critical care experience must be obtained in a critical care area within the United States.  During this experience, the registered professional nurse must have developed critical decision making and psychomotor skills, competency in patient assessment, and the ability to use and interpret advanced monitoring techniques. A critical care area is defined as one where, on a routine basis, the registered professional nurse manages one or more of the following: invasive hemodynamic monitors (such as pulmonary artery catheter, CVP, arterial); cardiac assist devices; mechanical ventilation; and vasoactive infusions. Examples of critical care units may include Surgical Intensive Care, Cardiothoracic Intensive care, Coronary Intensive Care, Medical Intensive Care, Pediatric Intensive Care, and Neonatal Intensive Care. Those who have experiences in other areas may be considered provided they can demonstrate competence with managing unstable patients, invasive monitoring, ventilators, and critical care pharmacology. Critical Care Transport (CCT), Flight Nursing, or Emergency Room will not be considered as critical care experience.
  • Current certifications: BLS.  ACLS and PALS are required before clinical courses begin and must be maintained until program completion.
  • Three recommendations;
    • Current ICU Director or person responsible for yearly evaluation
    • Current ICU Charge Nurse
    • Spiritual advisor/Clergy
  • Interview granted by Nurse Anesthesia Admissions Committee
  • Highly Recommended
    • Clinical observation with CRNA - 8 hours (no official documentation required)
    • CCRN certification

Transcript Requirements

You must submit transcripts from all post-secondary institutions that you have attended, regardless of whether or not it applies to your prerequisite coursework. This includes all colleges, universities, military credit, Advanced Placement, CLEP, and unaccredited schools. Transcripts must be sent by the issuing institution(s) directly to LLU Admissions Processing. Transcripts provided in any other manner are unofficial and will not be accepted for admission.

Please have official transcripts sent to:

Admissions Processing
Loma Linda University
11139 Anderson St
Loma Linda, CA 92350 USA

Clinical Facilities

Nursing CRNA

LLUMC Facilities

Affiliated Clinical Rotations

Clinical affiliations have been established with health care institutions within Central, Northern and Southern CA as well as an enrichment site in Ohio. Housing is provided for clinical rotations that are greater than 90 miles from Loma Linda University.

Student Benefits and Insurance

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.

For more information, visit https://drayson.llu.edu/

Accreditation and Performance Data

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
 

Loma Linda University School of Nursing
Nurse Anesthesia Concentration
Performance Data

 

Class of

2020

Class of

2021

Class of

2022**

3 year average

Certification Exam First-Time Pass rate

88%

80%

80%

83%

Employment Rate*

100%

93%

93%

95.3%

Attrition Rate

0%

6%

0%

2.0%

*Within four months of completing the program

**93% of students passed the NCE within four months of completing the program

Curriculum Plan

Curriculum Plan for CRNA at Main Campus LLUH

Cost of Attendance

View Expected Cost of Attendance Here

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Distance Education
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