Saint Mary's University is one of four CRNA schools in Minnesota.
Saint Marys University of Minnesota CRNA Program
Saint Marys University of Minnesota Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Graduate Program in Nurse Anesthesia 2500 Park Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55404
Contact Information Merri L Moody, CRNA, MS, Program Director Linka Holey, RN, MA, Associate Vice President and Academic Dean ph: (612) 728-5100 tf: (866) 437-2788 fax: (612) 728-5121 email: mmoody@smumn.edu
Quick Facts
CRNA Degree (s) offered Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia
Program Length 28 months, full time
Credit Hours 64 semester units
Starting Month(s) May
Application Deadline April 1, of each year for matriculation in May of the following year.
Interviews are conducted once a year, usually during the months of May through July.
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: $32,640 *Fees and expenses: $3,550 Grand Total: $36,190
*This includes the cost of books, supplies, test fees and miscellaneous school expenses.
Are you concerned that the Saint Marys University 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 offers an integrated approach to clinical and academic experiences. It also offers a rigorous academic curriculum that includes formal and informal instruction in scientific principles, clinical practice and professional growth opportunities.
Clinical practicum provides you with the opportunity to apply the principles of anesthesia to direct patient care. You’ll provide supervised care in a variety of settings and have clinical opportunities in over 27 hospitals. This will prepare you to practice in a wide variety of settings and in diverse methods of administering a safe anesthetic.
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 Saint Marys University compare to most CRNA school’s requirements.
CRNA Program Requirements
Required Bachelor Degree Appropriate bachelor degree from a regionally accredited institution. Appropriate degree fields are nursing, biophysical, biological or behavioral sciences.
RN: Current, un-encumbered Minnesota RN license, or eligibility for one.
Critical Care: A minimum of one year of experience in a critical care setting. This experience may or may not be current.
Acceptable critical care experience includes:
Adult ICU
Pediatric ICU
Neonatal ICU
Emergency Department at a level one trauma center
They do not accept:
Recovery Room
Post Anesthesia Care Unit
Non-trauma center ER
Telemetry
Dialysis
Surgery
CV lab
Step-down units
You must have skills in:
Hemodynamic monitoring
Pharmacologic intervention with vasopressors
Vasodilators
Cardiac inotropes
Cardiac and hemodynamic monitoring graphics interpretation
Ventilator management
GPA: An overall GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale or higher. GPA of 3.0 – 3.2 or higher in science and/or math courses is needed to be competitive.
GRE scores: Not required
International Students All applicants whose native language is not English and/or who submit a transcript from a country other than the U.S. must provide evidence of a TOEFL score of 550 (paper‐based), 213 (computer‐based), or 77(internet‐based). The TOEFL is not required if the applicant has a bachelor's or higher degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university, or has successfully completed Saint Mary's University's English Language Academy certificate program.
Transcripts from countries other than the U.S. must be evaluated on a course‐by‐course basis by World Education Services (www.wes.org) or the Education Credential Evaluators (www.ECE.org) and be deemed equivalent to accredited U.S. university standards. Students are responsible for having their transcripts evaluated, as well as the associated costs. Other English language certifications that are accepted include IELTS and MELAB.
Certifications are NOT required in order to apply. If you have these certifications, you are encouraged to include them as they may help your chances of acceptance:
ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)
NALS (Neonatal Advanced Life Support)
NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program)
CCRN (Critical Care Registered Nurse)
TNCC (Trauma Nursing Core Course)
ATLS (Advanced Trauma Life Support)
There are no specific course prerequisites. However, if your only science courses were taken with your associates degree, please consider taking additional bachelor’s or master’s level science and/or math coursework. These courses will help your CRNA degree:
Accredited CRNA Programs are reviewed regularly. Saint Marys University of Minnesota Nurse Anesthetist Program was last reviewed 10/2010. It was given the maximum of 10 years accreditation and will be reviewed again 10/2020. This shows that the program is very stable.
Who pays for transportation costs? Transportation between the school and affiliating sites is your responsibility. You may be asked to attend one or more clinical rotations at sites that may be more than 40 miles from the campus.
How many vacation days do I get? All students are granted 6 legal holidays off annually. All other time off is designated by the Program.
Will I be expected to take “Call”? Accreditation guidelines and program philosophy require that student nurse anesthetists have a broad base of clinical experience. This includes the opportunity for clinical experience outside of regularly scheduled surgical cases.
As a student at Saint Marys University of Minnesota, you must complete at least 160 hours of call time within the clinical curriculum.
You are not expected to work night or home call. You will be expected to participate in 8, 12, and 16 hour shifts and occasional Saturdays and/or Sundays.
How can I improve my chances of getting accepted? If you are looking to improve your chances, they suggest that you assess and improve yourscience/math GPA and/or submit evidence of:
Certification in your nursing specialty (CCRN or TNCC)
Taking and passing the CCRN or TNCC certification exam
Current ACLS, ATLS, PALS, NALS, or NRP certification
