The University of Iowa CRNA program was ranked #11 in 2011.
University of Iowa Anesthesia Nursing Program Department of Anesthesia University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics C607 General Hospital 200 Hawkins Drive Iowa City, IA, 52242
Contact Information Cormac T O'Sullivan, CRNA, PhD, ARNP, Clinical Assistant Professor & Program Director Ronald Lind, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor and Medical Advisor ph: (319) 384-7354 tf: (800) 553-4692 fax: (319) 384-7286 email: paul-schulte@uiowa.edu
Quick Facts
CRNA Degree (s) offered DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) with Anesthesia Nursing Specialization
Tuition is calculated at the 2011-2012 rates. 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 In State Tuition: $59,000 *Fees and expenses: $13,841 Grand Total: $72,841
Cost of Out of State Tuition:$115,000 *Fees and expenses: $13,841 Grand Total: $128,841
*This includes the cost of health insurance, books and supplies, test fees and miscellaneous school expenses.
Are you concerned that the University Iowa 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.
Academic and Clinical experience At University Iowa, you’ll spend the first three semesters mostly in the classroom, completing the academic phase.
Your fourth semester is transitional. In the mornings of this third semester, you’ll gain your first clinical experiences with your preceptors at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC). In the afternoons, you’ll attend a course that will give you a basic overview of the many aspects of anesthesia.
During the fifth semester, you’ll complete your academic courses and begin taking “call” hours under the direction of a faculty anesthesiologist. Advanced clinical rotations begin sixth semester and continue through to graduation. During this time, you’ll get at least three months of anesthesia experience in their rural clinical sites, providing you with a foundation in small-town, CRNA-only anesthesia practice.
You’ll have an additional 4-5 weeks providing obstetrical anesthesia, another 4-5 weeks administering anesthesia for individuals with multi-system diseases, and 4-5 weeks learning cardiac anesthesia.
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 University Iowa compare to most CRNA school’s requirements.
CRNA Program Requirements
Required Bachelor Degree Bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN/BAN) or other appropriate Bachelor’s degree.
RN Current RN license in Iowa or another state.
Critical Care At least one year of recent full-time critical care nursing experience (post-ADN or post-BSN) as an RN prior to the June 1 deadline.
Acceptable critical care experience includes:
Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU)
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)
Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU)
Cardiac Care Unit (CCU)
They do not accept:
Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)
OR nursing
Emergency Room (ER)
GPA Cumulative GPA of 3.0. A strong science and math GPA is recommended.
GRE Scores Not required
TOELF A minimum score of 550, from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) when appropriate for applicants whose native language is not English.
Certifications
BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support)
ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)
Course Prerequisites
Research Methods
Upper level Statistics – taken no more than 5 years ago
Public Health
Human Development and Behavior
Computer Competency Skills (a class is not required if you have mastered certain computer skills)
Accredited CRNA Programs are reviewed regularly. University Iowa 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 in full compliance with the COA’s accreditation standards.
Pass Rate for CRNA Boards at University Iowa 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.
How many hours should I expect to be engaged in the program each week? Class time, clinical hours, and preparatory time for class and clinical could occupy about 60 hours per week.
Can I work as an RN while I’m in the program? Although outside employment is discouraged because of the intense nature of the program, a student may work, with consent of the program director when:
It does not interfere with the educational program
Academic and clinical performance is satisfactory
The student is not employed during the eight hours prior to any class or clinical assignment
The student does not miss class or clinical assignments
What makes this school unique? Nurse anesthesia (CRNA) programs throughout the United States are in the process of transitioning from a Master’s degree format to a Practice Doctorate format. University Iowa was one of the first CRNA schools to make this change.
