Otterbein University &
Grant Medical Center's
CRNA Program

This brand new CRNA Program is worth looking into!

Otterbein University Nurse Anesthetist School

Otterbein University &
Grant Medical Center
Nurse Anesthesia Program
1 South Grove Street
Westerville, OH 43081

Contact Information
Elizabeth Seibert, CRNA, PhD, Program Director
ph: (614) 823-1326
tf: (888) 749-8550
fax: (614) 823-3131
email: eseibert@otterbein.edu

Quick Facts

CRNA Degree offered
Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN), DNP

Program Length
28 months, full time

Credit Hours
70 semester hours

Starting Month
January

Application Deadline
Applications are due by January 30th, for the class that enters the Spring term in the following year. Interviews for the January application deadline will be held in late March. Approximately 2-3 applicants will be invited to interview for each position. Admission/denial letters are usually sent out in late April.

Entire Program Cost of CRNA School at Otterbein University.
Please note that tuition is calculated at the 2010-2011 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: $51,996
*Fees and expenses: $3,000
Grand Total: $54,996

+ Here’s the math: This calculation is based on the rate of $9,471 full time per quarter (5 quarters are more than 9 credit hours, or “full time”). 2 quarters are priced per quarter hour at $357 per credit * 13 credits. *This estimate is provided by all-crna-schools.com and represents the average cost of text books, test fees and supplies.

Class Size
20

Number of Applicants
The nurse anesthesia program receives many more applications from qualified individuals than can be accepted. After reviewing completed application packets, the Nurse Anesthesia Admissions Committee invites approximately four (4) applicants to interview for each available position.

When did this CRNA Program begin?
May 20, 2010 Otterbein University with Grant Medical Center received initial accreditation from the Counsel on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).

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CRNA Program Summary

Are you concerned that Otterbein University and Grant Medical Center’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 nurse anesthetist program at Otterbein University/ Grant Medical center is “front-loaded.” The first two semesters are entirely didactic (with observational time in the OR), providing a theoretical foundation that prepares students to enter clinical practice in the third semester.

Six graduate nursing core courses are interspersed throughout the curriculum so that nurse anesthesia students can interact with students from other MSN majors. After the fourth semester, didactic course work decreases and students’ clinical time commitment increases, allowing students to concentrate on applying theory to practice.

Nurse anesthesia classes are taught Monday to Friday during the day. Nursing core courses are offered in the evening and/or in an on-line format. Four of the nursing core courses are offered in an on-line format. The two Pharmacology for Nurse Anesthesia courses are offered via 2-way interactive video.

Clinical sites are currently at Grant Medical Center and Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Between Otterbein University and either clinical site, it’s no more than a 30 minute drive. It’s only a 10 min drive between the two clinical sites. This means you can spend less time in your car and more time doing the things that matter!

Beginning in the third semester, students will be in clinical 3 days a week. Students will administer anesthesia for patients of all ages with a variety of pre-existing conditions undergoing a full spectrum of surgical and diagnostic procedures.

Clinical experiences include elective and emergent procedures, a call experience, OB, cardiac, ICU, regional and pediatric rotations.

The program anticipates adding additional clinical sites in the future.

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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 Otterbein University compare to most CRNA school’s requirements.

CRNA Program Requirements

Required Bachelor Degree
Baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN) from an institution that is accredited regionally and by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC ) and/or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

You may apply if you are an associate degree nurse and are in the process of completing your BSN, as long as you will finish your BSN before the program course work starts.

Master’s degree in nursing is required if applying for the post master’s certificate.

RN:
Current unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse.

Critical Care:
Minimum of one (1) year full time experience as a registered nurse in a critical care unit within the last 5 years.

Acceptable critical care experience provides applicants with experience in:

Interpretation of invasive monitors
Titration of vasoactive infusions
Management of ventilated patients
Care of acutely ill patients

They do not accept:

Operating Room
Telemetry Unit

GPA:
A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher for undergraduate course work. A blended undergraduate science course GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred.

GRE:
The GRE is not required

Certifications:

ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
CCRN (Critical Care Registered Nurse)

Course Prerequisite:
A grade of C or higher in an undergraduate statistics course.

Applicants are required to spend a minimum of one day observing a practicing CRNA or anesthesiologist in the Operating Room. Shadow a CRNA
Spend a minimum of one day observing a practicing CRNA or anesthesiologist in the Operating Room.

Otterbein University’s CRNA program website

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CRNA School Performance

CRNA School Rankings - U.S. News & World Report (2011)
2.6 out of 5.0. Ranked 55 out of 107 CRNA programs.

Accredited CRNA Programs are reviewed regularly.
Otterbein University Nurse Anesthetist Program was last reviewed 05/2010. It was given 5 years accreditation and will be reviewed again 10/2015. It was not given the max of 10 years because it is a brand new program.

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CRNA Salaries

An average nurse anesthetist salary in Ohio
Ohio CRNA salaries range from $145k to $170k and are about the same as the national average.

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What should I be prepared to discuss in the admission interview
Applicants should anticipate that interviewers will ask a broad range of questions that attempt to elicit the applicant’s understanding of the nurse anesthetist’s role, motivation, goals and leadership potential as well as clinical knowledge.

How many hours should I expect to be engaged in the program each week?
The average weekly time commitment may approach 60 hours a week.

Can I work as an RN while I’m in the program?
Due to the extensive time commitment, it is very difficult, if not impossible to work even on a part time basis during the program.

Do they accept any graduate transfer credit?
They accept up to 15 hrs of graduate transfer credit. Syllabi are evaluated after admission to the program.

Do they accept transfer students from other Nurse Anesthesia programs?
Transfer requests are evaluated on an individual basis

Once I’m accepted, how can I best prepare for the CRNA Program?
Students admitted to cohort beginning in January 2012 may take several nursing core courses in the summer and fall semesters before the actual program begins. According to current students, taking these courses before entering full-time into the nurse anesthesia program substantially decreases student stress.

Time Off
For the first two semester, the program follows the academic calendar, including standard school holidays. There are no formal breaks for the last 5 semesters. Instead, students are allocated 20 days for vacation, sick time, job interviews, etc. These days must be scheduled in advance.

Capstone project is required
The didactic program requires successful completion of all course work, portfolio, and capstone project.

Clinical and “call” schedule
Clinical assignments may occur any day of the week including weekends and holidays. Students will have a call experience that will include various shifts during “off” hours (11 am – 7 pm, 3-11 pm, 7 pm – 7 am, etc.)