Drexel University is one of 13 CRNA schools in Pennsylvania.
Drexel University PA Nurse Anesthesia School
Drexel University PA Nurse Anesthesia Program 245 N. 15th Street 7th Floor Bellet Building MS 501 Philadelphia, PA 19102
Contact Information Lewis R Bennett, CRNA, MS, MSN, Program Director ph: (215) 762-4007 fax: (215) 762-8640 email: lrb33@drexel.edu
Quick Facts
CRNA Degree (s) offered MS in Nursing, Post-Master's Certificate. The Post-Master’s Certificate only requires 68 quarter credits (rather than 89)
Program Length 28 months, full time
Credit Hours 89 quarter credits
Starting Month(s) First week in January
Application Deadline Applications should be made 12-18 months (June – January 1st) in advance of the anticipated January start date, however, applications are accepted on a continuous basis with interviews being conducted throughout the year. Candidates who meet the admission criteria are invited for a personal interview with the program’s admission committee.
Interview Process Interviews are held throughout the year. If you are invited for an interview, you’ll be notified of acceptance approximately two to four weeks after the interview. If accepted, you may take M.S.N. core courses prior to beginning the program full time.
Tuition is calculated at the 2011-2012 rate. Tuition at most schools increases each academic year. Over the duration of the program, expect to pay a tuition that is 5% to 15% higher than what is shown here.
Cost of Tuition: $65,415 *Fees and expenses: $2,000 Grand Total: $67,415
*This includes the cost of health insurance, books and supplies, test fees and miscellaneous school expenses.
*This is an estimate and was not found on Drexel University PA’s website.
Drexel University PA provides malpractice coverage without cost to the student. Health insurance is mandatory and is available through Drexel University (for additional costs).
Are you concerned that Drexel University PA’s Nurse Anesthesia Program won’t give you the specific experiences or training you need to be a successful CRNA? Learn what standards CRNA Programs must meet in order to be accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia (COA).
This CRNA program (as well as all others that are accredited by the COA) prepares you to take the CCNA certification exam at the conclusion of the program, allowing you to become a CRNA.
The program is integrated, offering clinical and didactic education concurrently throughout the program.
All of the graduate nursing core courses for the nurse anesthesia department are offered online with some blended virtual class requirements. All anesthesia-related coursework is taught at Drexel University PA’s Center City campus in Philadelphia or via teleconferencing for students located in central Pennsylvania. “ The overview of nurse anesthesia course offered in the first quarter is complemented by a simulated clinical experience in which small student groups practice basic anesthesia skills, including:
induction, maintenance and emergence process
hands-on practice in airway management.
regional anesthesia techniques.
“For the subsequent four quarters, advanced concepts of nurse anesthesia practice are taught to provide the fundamental knowledge base needed to augment students' ability to tailor the anesthetic management based on the patient's physiological and pathophysiological state.
“Clinical Practicum : The nurse anesthesia clinical practicum is offered at one of several sites located in the tri-state area. Under direct supervision of anesthesiologists and/or certified registered nurse anesthetists, students administer all types of anesthesia, including sedation during monitored anesthesia care, general anesthesia, and regional anesthesia. Students also gain experience inserting various types of invasive monitors and performing alternative airway techniques.
“As an elective, students contemplating specializing in pediatric anesthesia may apply to complete an additional month's pediatric rotation at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
“Students administer a minimum of 650 anesthetics and average more than 1,500 clinical hours.
“Clinical sites range from 0-90 miles from the university. A reliable vehicle is necessary and parking is available at all clinical sites. Some clinical sites offer free student housing during the clinical rotation.”
Looking for something specific? Find CRNA schools categorized by their unique requirements.
Some CRNA schools require much more out of their applicants than others. See how the requirements at Drexel University PA compare to most CRNA school’s requirements.
CRNA Program Requirements
Required Bachelor Degree A Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is required. If you have a bachelor’s degree in a related science discipline and wish to be admitted to the CRNA program, you will be required to complete the BSN bridge program (it consists of 3 courses).
1st, apply to the CRNA program. Your acceptance will be provisional, pending successful completion of the bridge courses. You’ll have one year to complete the courses and tuition for the bridge program is charged at the graduate rate.
If you are enrolled in the BSN program at Drexel University PA, you can apply to their “Early Acceptance Assurance BSN to MSN Program”. This program allows you to apply as soon as your 3rd quarter if you’re in the ACE (Accelerated Career Entry, 11 month BSN for those who already have a bachelor’s or graduate degree), or at the end of your 3rd year if you’re a part of Co-op (4-5 year BSN program that alternates classes with full-time employment).
If you’re accepted through this program, Drexel University PA Nurse Anesthetist Program will hold your place in the class while you gain the required ICU experience.
RN: Licensed or eligibility for licensure as a registered nurse in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.
Critical Care: A minimum of two years recent full-time critical care experience with:
Critically ill and unstable patients
Invasive hemodynamic monitoring
Ventilatory care
Pharmacologic management
Preferred areas include:
SICU (Surgical Intensive Care)
MICU (Medical Intensive Care)
CVICU (Cardiovascular Intensive Care)
PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit)
Level I Emergency/Trauma Unit are also acceptable
You can apply to the department if you are currently employed in critical care and will have the necessary two years of full time experience before the start of the program.
GPA: A minimum 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in both BSN and general science coursework.
Minimum GRE scores: A compiled GRE score of 1000 on the verbal and quantitative sections and a 4.0 on the written analytical section are desirable.
MAT scores can be submitted in place of the GRE. GRE or MAT scores required and taken within five years of application. Waived for GPA 3.5 or higher and science GPA > 3.25. Also waived for Post-Master’s certificate applicants.
TOEFL: Applicants who have not received a degree in the United States are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the IELTS test. An official score report must be sent to Drexel by ETS or IELTS; photocopies will not be accepted.
Shadow a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist for a day “It is strongly recommended that you shadow a CRNA to observe current nurse anesthesia practice to ascertain that you are choosing to pursue a career of interest. The department is unable to provide this experience for potential applicants and recommend that you contact the anesthesia department at your place of employment or a nearby hospital that employs CRNAs.”
Accredited CRNA Programs are reviewed regularly. Drexel University PA Nurse Anesthetist Program was last reviewed 05/2010. It was given the maximum of 10 years accreditation and will be reviewed again 05/2020. This shows that the program is in full compliance with the COA’s accreditation standards.
Pass Rate for CRNA Boards at Drexel University PA Please note: It is extremely rare for a student at any CRNA school to not eventually pass the exam. Most students who don’t pass the first time pass the second. Very rarely does a person ever take it a third time. This statistic only measures how well the program prepares students to pass the test the first time around.
Time Commitment and work “Because of an average weekly program commitment of 56 hours/week, very few students are able to work on a regular basis.”
Time Off “The Nurse Anesthesia Department consists of four 10-week quarters, with one week off between quarters (usually March, June, September and December). Students are off for most major holidays unless assigned an on-call shift as part of the clinical practicum.”
Why should I choose Drexel University PA CRNA program? “Drexel currently offers a three month certification exam review, two review courses, one of which sponsored by the university.
[Their] department also has on site approachable faculty committed to your learning and success.
“Separate class and clinical days allows the student to adequately prepare for class or clinical.
“The ability to take MSN Core Courses prior to the start of the program will ease the burden of a rigorous program.
“The primary simulation experience is targeted to allow the student to gain the necessary didactic and “hands on” experience prior to the start of their clinical rotations. The simulation experience also includes a pediatric simulation workshop and an alternative workshop in the second and third year of studies.”
