The University of Southern Mississippi is the only CRNA school in Mississippi.
The University of Southern Mississippi
College of Nursing
Nurse Anesthesia Program
118 College Drive #5095
Hattiesburg, MS 39406
Contact Information
Nina Mclain, CRNA, Ph.D., Program Director
Phone: 601.266.5462
Email: Nina.McLain@usm.edu
Marjorie Geisz-Everson, CRNA, PhD, Assistant Program Director
Please direct any questions to Nicole Magee
Phone: 601.266.5500
Email: nicole.magee@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 30th (opens January 1). Applicants selected for an interview will be notified in late July. Notification of acceptance can be expected in late August.
Entire Program Cost of CRNA School at University of Southern Mississippi
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: $41,887
*Fees and expenses: $501.12
Grand Total: $41,887
Cost of Out of State Tuition: $51,464
*Fees and expenses: $281.12
Grand Total: $51,745.12
* This includes the estimated cost of textbooks and application fee.
Class Size
20 students (usually interview around the top 40 most qualified applicants)
CRNA Program Summary
Are you concerned that the Newman University Wichita 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 year three will be comprised of mostly clinicals 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 have a minimum of 1 year (2 years preferred), full-time experience as a registered nurse in a critical care setting. Applicants must have experience in continuous ECG Monitoring, invasive monitoring, vasoactive infusion management, 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 130-170 score scale). A score of 1000 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.
University of Southern Mississippi Nurse Anesthesia program website
CRNA School Performance
CRNA School Rankings – Schools by Rank
Ranking #83 for the 2015 graduating class.
*Please note: Read about how CRNA rankings are created.*
Accredited CRNA Programs are reviewed regularly.
USM Nurse Anesthetist Program was last reviewed in October 2017. It was given two years accreditation and will be reviewed again in October 2019.
First Time Pass Rate
71% (Class of 2017)
Attrition Rate
5% (Class of 2017)
Employment Rate
95% (Class of 2017)
An average nurse anesthetist salary in Mississippi
Mississippi CRNA salaries tend to be below the national average with an annual mean wage of $159,430.
An average annual nurse anesthetist salary in the US is $169,450 (according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2017 study).
FAQs
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 11 clinical sites, including two level II Trauma Centers, two military hospitals, CRNA-only practices, ambulatory surgery centers, and office-based anesthesia. As a student, you will rotate to all of the clinical sites in order to maximize learning opportunities.
Will I be expected to cover call shifts and Holidays while in clinical?
Yes. You will be assigned call shifts and rotation shifts (e.g. 3-11, 11-7, weekends, and Holidays) to maximize clinical learning experiences.
Do they require a Capstone Project?
Yes. You will be required to share your findings either by report, project or oral/poster presentation.
How many vacation days am I given?
25 days of vacation/sick leave time during the 36 months.
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.
*This page was created February 22, 2019*
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