VCU School of Nursing Anesthesia Virginia Commonwealth University School of Allied Health Professions Department of Nurse Anesthesia On the Medical College of Virginia Campus P.O. Box 980226 Richmond, VA 23298
Contact Information Michael D Fallacaro, CRNA, DNS, Professor and Chairman ph: (804) 828-9808 fax: (804) 828-0581 email: NUAAPPLY@vcu.edu
Tuition is calculated at the 2009-2010 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: $41,184 *Fees and expenses: $3,380 Grand Total: $44,564
Cost of Out of State Tuition:$69,394 *Fees and expenses: $3,380 Grand Total: $72,774
*This includes the cost of health insurance, books and supplies, test fees and miscellaneous school expenses.
Are you concerned that the VCU School Of Nursing 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 onAccreditation 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 VCU School of Nursing CRNA Program is offered both in Richmond (primary location) and South West Virginia (through distance learning technologies).
As a student in Virginia Commonwealth University’s nurse anesthesia master’s program, you’ll spend your first 3 semesters in classes, completing the ”Didactic Phase”. As part of their front – loaded curriculum, your classes in chemistry, nurse anesthesia, pharmacology and physiology will prepare you for the clinical experience you’ll begin your second year.
In addition to your core science classes, you’ll take six professional courses (Principles and Practice of Nurse Anesthesia I-6) which will include classroom presentations, simulator work and practical lab demonstrations and exercises. Your class load is specifically designed to take you from simple to complex, and to integrate theory and clinical exercises.
The Center for Research in Human Simulation will give you the opportunity to practice your skills on SimMan and SimBaby, before you practice on live patients. This is an advantage that many CRNA programs can’t offer, and will give you confidence before you begin your clinical experience.
As part of the ”Clinical Practicum”, you’ll spend your last two years (six semesters) in direct patient care. During this time, you’ll have the opportunity to administer all types of general and regional anesthesia techniques to a variety of patients ranging in medical and surgical acuity.
You’ll be encouraged to think critically, evaluate your performance, and be fully accountable for your clinical skills and competencies. As your knowledge and experience increase, so will your level of responsibility.
After completing the curriculum, you’ll not only feel confident in your skills as a nurse anesthetist, you’ll be prepared to pass the CRNA boards with flying colors and you’ll be highly sought after for employment.
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 Main Keyword compare to most CRNA school’s requirements.
CRNA Program Requirements
BSN Or a baccalaureate degree in a related science.
RN: Current RN license. You will need an RN license for the state of Virginia by the start of the first semester.
Critical Care: A minimum of one year recent experience in an area of acute care nursing.
They do not accept:
Operating Room
Stepdown Unit
GPA: Cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale (preferred)
Minimum GRE scores: The GRE must have been completed within the last 5 years.
Course Prerequisites
Organic chemistry OR a web-based medicinal chemistry prep course offered through Department of Nurse Anesthesia.
Accredited CRNA Programs are reviewed regularly. VCU School of Nursing Anesthesia was last reviewed in May, 2011. It was given 10 years accreditation and will be reviewed again May, 2021. This shows that the program is very stable.
Pass Rate for CRNA Boards at VCU School Of Nursing
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.
Will I be able to work part-time during the program? Employment while completing this program is strongly discouraged.
Do I need to have CCRN certification before applying? No, you do not need to have the CCRN certification when applying. However, it is very much encouraged.
Is financial aid available? Yes, various financial aid opportunities are available. You can contact the Financial Aid Office for more information.
