This page was last updated in 2022.
The University of Southern Mississippi is the only CRNA school in Mississippi.
University of Southern Mississippi
Nurse Anesthesia Program
118 College Drive #5095
Hattiesburg, MS 39406
Contact Information
Nina Mclain, CRNA, Ph.D., Program Director
ph: (601) 266-5462
email: Nina.McLain@usm.edu
Please direct any specific questions to Ms. Cindy Sheffield
ph: (601) 266-5454
email: cynthia.sheffeild@usm.edu
Quick Facts
CRNA Degree offered
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Program Length
36 months full time
Credit Hours
114 semester hours
Starting Month
January
Application Deadline
June 1st. Applicants selected for an interview will be notified in early June. Interviews will be in the month of June or early July
Entire Cost of CRNA School for University of Southern Mississippi Nurse Anesthesia Program.
Tuition listed is for new students and covers the duration of the program. Expect tuition to increase by 5-15% more than what is shown here due to annual tuition increases.
Cost of In State Tuition: $25,773
Fees and expenses: $1,760
Grand Total: $27,533
Cost of Out of State Tuition: $31,773
Fees and expenses: $1,760
Grand Total: $33,533
Class Size
20 students (usually interview around the top 40 most qualified applicants)
CRNA Program Summary
Are you concerned that the University of Southern Mississippi 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
The program is a front-loaded program where the majority of your academic classes will be during your first year. Year two is when you will begin to integrate clinicals with the didactic work and capstone work.
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 Southern Mississippi compare to most CRNA school’s requirements.
CRNA Program Requirements
Required Degree
Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (BSN) or Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from a nationally accredited (National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education)
RN:
Current unencumbered license to practice nursing in any state with eligibility for licensure in Mississippi. Mississippi license will be required by the time of matriculation.
Critical Care:
Applicants must be currently working as an RN and ventilator management.
Acceptable critical care experience includes:
- ICU (Intensive Care Unit)
- CVICU (Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit)
- SICU (Surgical Intensive Care)
- Neurosurgical ICU
- MICU (Medical Intensive Care Unit)
- Level III Pediatric ICU
- Level III Neonatal ICU
They do not accept:
- Coronary ICU
- Post Anesthesia ICU
- Surgery
- Step-down Units
- Emergency Room
GPA:
3.0 and above.
Minimum GRE scores:
GRE scores of 300 or higher (a combination of verbal and quantitative scores on the 200-800 score scale). An analytical score of at least 4.0 on the GRE is required. Must be taken within the last 5 years.
Certifications:
- PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)
- ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
- BLS
- CCRN
Course Prerequisites
- Approved graduate level statistics, completed with a B or better, within the last 5 years. Biostatistics is preferred.
Observe a CRNA
You must contact a CRNA and arrange a time to observe them administering anesthesia. The CRNA that you shadow will also need to provide you with a letter of recommendation that references the number of hours you have observed the CRNA, as well as the types of cases you were exposed to.
Additionally, you will be required to upload a shadowing log that indicates dates, times, and hours spent observing the CRNA as part of your application.
University of Southern Mississippi Nurse Anesthesia Program
CRNA School Performance
Accredited CRNA Programs are reviewed regularly.
USM Nurse Anesthetist Program was last reviewed in October 2019. It was given four years accreditation and will be reviewed again in October 2023.
First Time Pass Rate: 75% (Class of 2020)
Attrition Rate: 0% (Class of 2020)
Employment Rate: 100% (Class of 2019)
CRNA Salaries
An average nurse anesthetist salary in University of Southern Mississippi Nurse Anesthesia Program, Mississippi.
Mississippi CRNA salaries are slightly below the national average with an annual mean wage of $177,820.
An average annual nurse anesthetist salary in the US is $181,040 (according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2019 study).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many clinical sites are affiliated with the USM NAP? Will I be required to rotate to all of the sites?
The USM NAP has 17 clinical sites. This number may change as more sites are added and any are deleted. The NAP boasts a variety of settings that include two Level II Trauma Centers, two military hospitals, CRNA-only practices, ambulatory surgery centers, and office-based anesthesia…Students should expect to rotate to all of the clinical sites. Students will be assigned to the clinical sites in order to maximize learning opportunities.
Do they require a Project?
Yes. To be eligible for graduation from the Nurse Anesthesia Program, satisfactory completion of the DNP Project in Anesthesia is required.
Can I work while I am enrolled in the program?
Employment is strongly discouraged for the BSN-DNP students because of the rigorous
academic demands. If students seek outside employment, they must remain in academic
good standing to proceed in the program. Students are prohibited from working in any
capacity that involves the administration of anesthesia
Salaries pulled from Bureau of Labor Statistics
All information given on this site about the University of Southern Mississippi was taken directly from their website.
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