University of Tennessee Health Science Center DNP CRNA Program

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center is one of seven CRNA schools in Tennessee.

University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC)
College of Nursing
Nurse Anesthesia Option
920 Madison Avenue, Suite 601
Memphis, TN 38163

Contact Information
Jill S Detty Oswaks, CRNA, DNSc, Director, Nurse Anesthesia Option
ph: (901) 448-6136
tf: (800) 733-2498
fax: (901) 448-4121
email: joswaks@uthsc.edu

Quick Facts

CRNA Degree offered
Post-CRNA DNP in Nurse Anesthesia, Doctor of Nursing Practice in Anesthesia

Program Length
36 months

Credit Hours
61 credit hours; 29 credit hours for the Post-CRNA DNP program

Start Date
May 31st

Application Deadline
September 1st

Entire Program Cost of CRNA School at University of Tennessee Health Science.
Tuition is calculated at the 2012-2013 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 In State Tuition: $43,969
*Fees and expenses: $3,000
Grand Total: $46,969

Cost of Out of State Tuition: $101,637
*Fees and expenses: $3,000
Grand Total: $104,637

*This estimate is supplied by all-crna-schools.com and represents the average cost of text books, membership fees and other supplies that are necessary for CRNA school.

University of Tennessee Health Science Tuition Link

Number of Applicants
There are generally 3-4 applicants for every available seat in the class.

When did this CRNA Program begin?

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CRNA Program Summary

Are you concerned that University of Tennessee Health Science 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.

Summary
The DNP CRNA program at UTHSC runs on a term system, where each term is 20 weeks in length. Summer/Fall term is July through December; Winter/Spring term runs January through May.

It follows a front-loaded format where the first 5 terms are spent on campus at UTHCS and are dedicated to didactic training. The fifth term is transitional, with both didactic and clinical experience. The last four terms are dedicated full-time to clinical education with the educational experience culminating in a project.

Clinical Sites
Primary clinical sites include 5 hospitals in Memphis and one in Germantown, TN. Specialty rotations during the senior year include hospitals in Memphis and one in New Albany Mississippi.

During your specialty rotations, you will have the opportunity to learn cardiothoracic anesthesia, pediatric anesthesia, neurosurgical anesthesia, OB anesthesia, trauma anesthesia, and rural site anesthesia.

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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 the University of Tennessee Health Science Center compare to most CRNA school’s requirements.

CRNA Program Requirements

Required Bachelor Degree
BSN or MSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing or Master of Science in Nursing). You must at least have your BSN by the time you apply. Your application will not be considered if your degree is not complete.

RN:
Registered Nursing license is required

Critical Care:
A minimum of one year of RN experience in adult and/or pediatric Critical Care is required within two years prior to application. This requirement must be complete by the time you apply to the program.

Acceptable critical care experience includes:

ICU (Intensive Care Unit)
Surgical ICU
Coronary Care Unit
Medical ICU
Pediatric ICU
Neonatal ICU
*High acuity Surgical ICU in a tertiary medical center is strongly preferred

They do not accept:

OR (Operating Room)
PACU (Post Anesthesia Care Unit)
Labor and Delivery
ER (Emergency Room)

GPA:
You need either a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (based on all college classes ever taken) or a 3.2 GPA in your most recently completed degree program. If your GPA is less than the required minimum, but your GRE score is outstanding and you show signs of strong leadership abilities, you may be considered (this depends on the applicant pool you’re competing against).

Minimum GRE scores:
There is no minimum GRE score required. To be competitive, you should score at least a 500 on both the verbal and quantitative sections and a 4.5 or above on the analytical writing section.

International Students:
TOEFL is required if English is not your native language. It should be noted that the official minimum TOEFL Score must be earned within two years prior to your application

Shadow a CRNA for a day:
Not required, but recommended.

Certification:

BLS (Basic Life Support)
ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)
APRN Certification if applicable

CCRN is not required but highly favored

Course Prerequisites

If you took Chemistry more than 5 years ago, it’s a good idea to take it again. This online course from the University of New England is highly recommended.

University of Tennessee Health Science Center’s CRNA program website

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CRNA School Performance

CRNA School Rankings - U.S. News & World Report (2011)
2.9 out of 5.0. Ranked 32 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.
University of Tennessee Health Science Center’s Nurse Anesthetist Program was last reviewed 10/2009. It was given the maximum of 10 years accreditation and will be reviewed again 10/2019. This program is in full compliance with the COA’s accreditation standards.

Pass Rate for CRNA Boards at University of Tennessee Health Science Center
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.

First-time test takers: 95% - 100%
National average (2008): 89.9%

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CRNA Salaries

An average nurse anesthetist salary in Tennessee
Tennessee CRNA salaries are a little higher than the national average and range from $150k to $180k.

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

Who should my three letters of recommendation be from?
A Clinical supervisor and two professors.

Is an interview required?
Yes, interviews are required by invitation only. These usually occur in September.

Can I work while I’m in the program?
Working is strongly discouraged while undergoing the Nurse Anesthesia program due to the academic rigors and commitment required.

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See CRNA School Reviews

All information given on this site about University of Tennessee Health Science's Nurse Anesthetist Program was taken directly from their website.

*This page was updated November 16th, 2012*