This page was last updated in 2022.
Frank J. Tornetta School of Anesthesia is one of twelve CRNA schools in Pennsylvania.

Frank J. Tornetta Nurse Anesthesia Program
Einstein Medical Center Montgomery
Karabots Professional Office Building
1330 Powell Street, Suite 608
Norristown, PA 19401
Contact Information
Michael Kost, DNP, MSN, MS, CRNA, Program Director
Phone: (484) 622-7280
Fax: (484) 622-7290
email: kostmike@einstein.edu
Quick Facts
CRNA Degree offered
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Program Length
Because of the intensity of advanced practice nursing in the nurse anesthesia track, the total course of study is 51 months in length. However, the curriculum is structured so that 24 months of DNP coursework is completed at La Salle University School of Nursing and Health Sciences by completing 30 credits of DNP course online, followed by the 29-month clinical residency portion of the program.
Credit Hours
86 credits/ 13 semesters
Starting Month
September
Application Deadline
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and a half years in advance of your anticipated clinical residency practicum start date.
Entire Cost of CRNA School for Frank J. Tornetta Nurse Anesthesia Program.
Please note that tuition is calculated based on the Fall 2019 cohort tuition rates stated on their site. 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: $106,160
*Fees and Total: $117,905
*Fees include required program textbooks, application fee, simulation lab fee, certification exam fee and other miscellaneous school expenses.
Class Size
22
When did this CRNA Program begin?
1989 and they have since graduated over 550 students.
CRNA Program Summary
Are you concerned that the Frank J Tornetta 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.
In this front-loaded program, you’ll spend the first 24 months learning didactic information and the last 27 months in clinical training.
During your training, you’ll have the privilege of using ‘SimMan’, the patient simulator. You’ll receive clinical instruction and clinical debriefing are available to enhance student learning.
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 Frank J Tornetta School of Anesthesia compare to most CRNA school’s requirements.
CRNA Program Requirements
Required Bachelor Degree:
BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) from an Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited program.
RN:
Current R.N. licensure in Pennsylvania or your state of residence/employment. You will also need to be licensed in any state where you will receive clinical instruction. The program currently has clinical affiliation agreements in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Critical Care:
Minimum of one year of nursing experience in an acute care setting.
Examples of acceptable critical care experience include:
- ICU (Intensive Care Unit)
- CCU (Coronary Care Unit)
- Surgical ICU
- Respiratory ICU
- Medical ICU
- Cardiothoracic ICU
- Pediatric ICU
- Neonatal ICU
- Others to be determined by the program
If you have experience in other areas, you may still be considered, but you will need to demonstrate that you are competent with managing unstable patients, invasive monitoring, ventilators, and critical care pharmacology.
GPA:
No minimum GPA is stated. If you have less than a 3.2 GPA you are required to submit test scores. Average GPA of students accepted is 3.4.
GRE:
Only required if you have below 3.2 GPA.
Certifications:
No certifications are required for the application, but it is highly recommended to have your CCRN certification.
Shadowing:
You must submit evidence of 15 hours of shadowing experience with an anesthesia provider. A CRNA or an Anesthesiologist is considered a qualified provider and may submit the shadowing form.
Four letters of recommendation:
Nurse manager, Physician (M.D. or D.O.) familiar with your critical care nursing skills, and two additional healthcare professionals (unit charge RN, medical unit director, physician, CRNA etc.) familiar with your professional nursing skills. Please do NOT submit a letter of reference from a peer nursing colleague.
Statement of Interest:
This should detail your desire to pursue a career in nurse anesthesia practice. Please include why you would like to pursue nurse anesthesia as a career goal along with your long-term career goals. (This should be limited to 2 pages, double-spaced, times new roman, 12 font.)
Frank J. Tornetta Nurse Anesthesia Program
CRNA School Performance
Accredited CRNA Programs are reviewed regularly.
Frank J. Tornetta School of Anesthesia was last reviewed 10/2012. It was given the maximum of 10 years accreditation and will be reviewed again 10/2022. This shows that the program is in full compliance with the COA’s accreditation standards..
Certification Pass Rate (1st attempt): 91% (2020)
Attrition Rate: 4% (2020)
CRNA Employment Rate: 100% (2020)
CRNA Salaries
An average nurse anesthetist salary in Frank J. Tornetta Nurse Anesthesia Program, Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania CRNA salaries are below the national average with an annual mean wage of $185,090.
An average annual nurse anesthetist salary in the US is $189,190 (according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2020 report)
Frequently Asked Questions
Time Off
“Student receive an allotment of allowable days off while enrolled in the program. Students who exceed the allowable time off must make up all missed time at the conclusion of the 27-month program of study.”
Can I work as an RN while I’m in the program?
The program is designed to allow you to be able to work during the core classes at La Salle University. When you begin the 27-month program, you are discouraged from working.
How far in advance should I submit my application?
It is suggested to submit your application at least two and completing all core DNP La Salle University School of Nursing coursework before beginning the clinical residency portion of the program. Please see the BSN-DNP curriculum for course sequencing during the first 24 months, which allows students the opportunity to continue with full-time employment while completing online DNP core courses requirements.
See Bureau of Labor Statistics
The information given on this site about Frank J. Tornetta Nurse Anesthesia Program was taken directly from their website.
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