The post-master’s doctor of nursing VCU program is one of the best options for a DNP. The Virginia Commonwealth University’s Anesthesia Program was ranked #1 in 2011.
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: mdfallac@vcu.edu
Admissions questions:
Cheryl Parsons
ph: (804) 828-3938
email: crlevine@vcu.edu
Curriculum and capstone project questions:
Suzanne Wright, Ph.D., CRNA, Director of Doctoral Education
ph: (804) 828-9808
email: smwright@vcu.edu
Quick Facts
CRNA Degree (s) offered
etpDNAP Program, Post-master’s Doctor of Nursing. Through the School of Allied Health Professions, the Department also offers a unique distance learning Ph.D. program of study in Health-Related Sciences for nurse anesthetists.
*The DNAP is a practice focused degree, whereas the Ph.D. is a research focused degree.
Program Length
The Doctor of Nursing Anesthesia Practice can be completed full time in one year (average of 11 credits per semester). You can also complete the program using a part-time option but it is required to be completed within 8 years.
Credit Hours
33 credit hours
Starting Month(s)
August
Application Deadline
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. However, preference is given to applications received by March 1st.
Class Size
10-20
Full Time
Cost of In State Tuition: $26,961
Fees and expenses: $2,200
Grand Total: $29,161
Cost of Out of State Tuition: $42,774
Fees and expenses: $2,200
Grand Total: $44,974
CRNA Training
The curriculum includes 9 credits of coursework from the Ph.D. in Health-Related Sciences (HRS) Program and 24 credits in nurse anesthesia, including a 6-credit practicum and 6-credit capstone project.
The clinical practicum includes 100 hours of practice per credit hour (3,300 total hours) which you can complete in your place of employment. You will build a professional portfolio which will include written case studies of clinical experiences that have significance for nurse anesthesia practice.
Your capstone project will be on a topic of interest relevant to clinical practice, education or leadership and will be your final work as part of the DNAP.
Because the program was designed for working CRNA’s, your courses will be both on and off campus. At the beginning and end of each semester, you will have on-campus classes including lectures, seminars, discussions, and assigned readings. Your off-campus work will involve computer conferencing, discussion boards and podcasts, in addition to reading assignments, projects, and exercises.
Program Requirements
Doctor of Nursing VCU Program Requirements
- Graduate degree from a regionally accredited university
- Gradation from an accredited CRNA program
- Current CRNA certification or recertification
- Current RN license and advanced practice nurse license (if required in your home state)
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better
- *Satisfactory performance on the GRE
*Post-master’s applicants may submit scores that are more than 5 years old. Post-master’s applicants who have never taken the GRE must provide evidence of having the knowledge, skills, and ability to complete doctoral-level work. Documentation may include, but is not limited to, examples of written work, publications, or presentations.
Virginia Commonwealth University DNAP program link
CRNA School Performance
CRNA School Rankings – U.S. News & World Report (2011)
4.0 out of 5.0. Ranked #1 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.
Doctor of Nursing Anesthesia at Virginia Commonwealth University Nurse Anesthetist Program was last reviewed 05/2011. It was given 10 years accreditation and will be reviewed again 05/2021. This shows that the program is very stable.
Return to Doctor of Nursing VCU
CRNA Salaries
An average nurse anesthetist salary in Virginia
Virginia CRNA salaries are higher than the national average with an annual mean wage of $193,410.
An average annual nurse anesthetist salary in the US is $169,450 (according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2017 study)
Salaries pulled from Bureau of Labor Statistics
*This page was updated July 29th, 2018.*
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