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

New Documents Deadline: All official documents must be submitted by September 1. 


As of July 1, 2021 we will no longer have a priority deadline for CRNA, DNP program.!

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 DNP practice inquire project courses.  It is designed to move students from foundational content through concepts and principles necessary for 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.The remainder of the program follows a more traditional format, utilizing distance education technologies to enhance course effectiveness.

Upon completion, graduates are able to exercise advanced levels of clinical judgment, systems thinking, and expanded responsibility, as well as become accountable for planning, implementing, and evaluating evidence-based strategies.  Graduates are awarded a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and are eligible to apply for and 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. As of July 1st, 2021, there is no priority deadline. 

  • 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 matriculation (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 but are not limited to: 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.
  • Current certifications: BLS.  ACLS and PALS are required before clinical courses begin and must be maintained until program completion.
  • Three recommendations;
    • ICU Charge Nurse
    • RN Co-worker
    • Spiritual advisor
  • 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.  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 by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).  The Program is accredited to offer both entry-level MS and DNP degree programs and is approved as a Distance Education Program.  The Program received the maximum 10 year reaccreditation 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. Many states may offer a compact license to individuals already licensed in California. If this opportunity is of interest to you, please contact your program director. 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

2019

Class of

2020

Class of

2021

3 year average

Certification Exam First-Time Pass rate**

100%

88%

80%

89.3%

Employment Rate*

100%

100%

93%

97.7%

Attrition Rate

19%

0%

6%

8.3%

*Within four months of completing the program

**All students passed the NCE within four months of completing the program; 100% pass rate

Curriculum Plan

Curriculum Plan for CRNA at Main Campus LLUH

Financial Information

Academic Year 2022-2023

Year of Program: Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4
Tuition* $40,890 $49,590 $22,620 $15,660
Fees* $2,835 $3,780 $3,780 $2,835
Books & Supplies $4,410 $1,150 $140 —
Instruments — — — —
Misc (e.g., Boards, Licensing exam, Uniforms) $50 — — —
Housing at clinical sites more than 90-miles commute from campus Included
AANA membership Included
Registration fee for required Fall CANA Annual Meeting Included
E*Value Case Tracking System Included
Self-evaluation Exam by 2 Included
APEX Anesthesia Review Included
Total $48,185 $54,520 $26,540 $18,495

*Please note that University and clinical course fees are subject to change on a yearly basis. (The clinical course fee for ’22-’23 is $620/course and there are nine clinical courses in the program).  Additional clinical fees listed below.

Quarterly clinical fees pay for lodging and rental car costs at various out rotations. Quarterly clinical fees DO NOT cover the items listed below. You will be provided with additional information about the items during Autumn Quarter 2022. The purchase of these items will be an out-of-pocket cost to you.

  • Lab coat without embroidery, stethoscope, nerve stimulator, precordial stethoscope with double stick adhesive (adult and pediatric), custom reusable or disposable ear molds, tubing for ear molds, trauma scissors, annual malpractice insurance through AANA Insurance (prior to the start of the first clinical rotation).
Additional out-of-pocket costs

Didactic instruction fees

  • NGNA 571 Advanced Role for the Nurse Anesthetist I
    • AANA Wellness Series (purchase after orientation)
    • EQi-2.0 - $60*
  • Attendance at a national meeting - $1500*

*Fees/costs are subject to increase

Notes

Expected costs for the 2022-2023 academic year are based on full time attendance. From year to year, increases are anticipated consistent with inflation in the professional education sector.

Estimated Living Expenses

Academic Year 2022-2023, off campus, with a roommate
Year of Program: Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4
Months enrolled 9 12 11 6
Room & Board $14,985 $19,980 $19,980 $14,985
Transportation $2,880 $3,840 $3,840 $1,920
Personal Expenses $2,250 $3,000 $3,000 $2,250
Notes
  • Amounts are what a student can apply to borrow for the number of months shown in each academic year based on living off campus with a roommate and not with a relative.
  • International students need to calculate 12 months of living expenses based on the numbers listed here.
  • In general, to qualify for financial aid a student must be enrolled at least half time taking degree requirements. Half time is 6 units in a quarter for undergraduate programs and 4 units in a quarter for graduate programs.

Financial Aid

Financial Aid is available for eligible students. You should begin your financial aid process early, even before formal acceptance into the Nursing program. For more information on financial aid, visit the financial aid website.

An optional clinical enrichment rotation has been established in Ohio.  Students electing to participate in this rotation will need to obtain an Ohio state RN license and will incur travel expenses, which is an additional cost.

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