Frank J Tornetta School of Anesthesia La Salle University
& Montgomery Hospital

The La Salle University is one of thirteen CRNA schools in Pennsylvania.

Frank J Tornetta School of Anesthesia
Montgomery Hospital
La Salle University School of Nursing and Health Sciences
Nurse Anesthesia Program
1301 Powell Street
P.O. Box 992
Norristown, PA 19404

Contact Information
Michael T Kost, DNP, CRNA, Program Director
ph: (610) 270-2139
fax: (610) 270-2318
email: philacrna@aol.com

Quick Facts

CRNA Degree offered
MS in Nursing, Post-Master's Certificate

Program Length
27 months, full time

Credit Hours
50 credits

Starting Month
September

Application Deadline
No application deadline is stated

Entire Program Cost of CRNA School at La Salle University
Please note that tuition is calculated For the Incoming Class 2012 as stated on their site. 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: $64,855
Fees and expenses: $4,850
Grand Total: $69,705

Class Size
Generally between 16-22 students

When did this CRNA Program begin?
1951

Return to top

CRNA Program Summary

Are you concerned that the Frank J Tornetta 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.

In this front loaded program, you’ll spend from autumn until spring of your Junior year learning didactic information. The rest of your Junior year and all of your Senior year is spent in clinical training.

During your training, you’ll have the privilege of using ‘SimMan’, the patient simulator. You’ll receive clinical instruction and clinical case simulations throughout the clinical curriculum. Videotaped feedback and clinical debriefing are available to enhance student learning.

Return to top

Program Requirements

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 Frank J Tornetta School of Anesthesia compare to most CRNA school’s requirements.

CRNA Program Requirements

Required Bachelor Degree
BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) from an NLN accredited program. Be a graduate of a NLNAC or CCNE accredited school.

RN:
Current R.N. licensure in Pennsylvania.

Critical Care:
Minimum of one year of nursing experience in an acute care setting.

Examples of acceptable critical care experience includes:

ICU (Intensive Care Unit)
CCU (Coronary Care Unit)
Surgical ICU
Others to be determined by the program

GPA:
No minimum GPA is stated

GRE or MAT:
Acceptable score on the GRE or MAT

Certifications:
Though no certifications are required for application, you’ll most likely need your PALS, BLS and ACLS during the program.

Montgomery Hospital, La Salle University and Frank J Tornetta CRNA program website

CRNA School Performance

CRNA School Rankings - U.S. News & World Report (2011)
2.7 out of 5.0. Ranked 48 out of 107 CRNA programs.

*Please note: CRNA rankings are bias and subjective. Read disclaimer about how CRNA rankings are created.*

Accredited CRNA Programs are reviewed regularly.
Montgomery Hospital Nurse Anesthetist Program was last reviewed 05/2003. It was given the maximum of 10 years accreditation and will be reviewed again 05/2013. This shows that the program is in full compliance with the COA’s accreditation standards.

The school had an attrition rate of 0% for the year 2011. With a 94.7% pass rate for first time test takers in the same year.

Employment rate for graduates is 100%

Return to top

CRNA Salaries

An average nurse anesthetist salary in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania CRNA salaries are below the national average and fluctuate between $130k and $150k.

An average annual nurse anesthetist salary in the US is $163,467 (according to a 2008 study)

Rural average: $174,214
Metropolitan average: $164,148
Suburban average: $156,630
Average starting CRNA salaries range from: $110,000-$130,000.

Return to top

Frequently Asked Questions

Time Off
You’ll have a total of 35 days off through the entire program. The number of hospital holidays will be determined by the Director, but shall not exceed five days per year for first year students. Senior students will participate in holiday and weekend call rotations.

Can I work as an RN while I’m in the program?
It’s allowed, but do not assume that you will be the exception who will be able to work and attend the anesthesia program, because students have found that they do not have the time or energy to do so.

Return to top

See CRNA School Reviews

The information given on this site about Frank J Tornetta School of Anesthesia was taken directly from their website.

*This page was updated October 20th, 2012*