Program Description

A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) is an advanced practice registered nurse trained in the theories and techniques involved in delivering anesthesia. CRNAs participate in all aspects of patient care throughout the perioperative continuum and practice in all fifty states, providing approximately 32 million anesthetics annually. CRNAs deliver 65% of anesthesia services across the United States.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program of the Loma Linda University School of Nursing, Nurse Anesthesia Concentration offers a didactically front-loaded, 39-month, full-time graduate curriculum designed to educate critical care registered nurses in the nurse anesthetist role across the lifespan. The program’s curriculum follows the American Academy of Colleges of Nursing’s Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice and the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs’ (COA) Practice Doctorate Standards for Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Programs. It consists of graduate-level core nursing courses, nurse anesthesia concentration courses, clinical courses and DNP practice inquire project courses.  It is designed to move students from foundational content through concepts and principles necessary for practice to a clinical practicum sequence for learning and refining of professional clinical practice. 

The program is fully accredited by the COA as a Distance Education Program and has been designed to take advantage of available distance education technologies to enhance curriculum effectiveness and flexibility.  Courses are delivered via both traditional classroom and hybrid distance education formats.  As a result, the first 2 quarters of the program are entirely hybrid in design with  the exception of the quarterly Seminar Week.  The remainder of the program follows a more traditional format, utilizing distance education technologies to enhance course effectiveness.

The CRNA program commences in the Fall Quarter of each year and students are admitted annually. Students are strongly advised not to work throughout this rigorous program.

Program Website  |  Catalog

Program Length

3 years and 3 months

Possible Careers

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in settings where anesthesia services are needed

Admissions Requirements

Academics
  • BS in nursing or equivalent from an accredited school in the U.S.
  • Cumulative GPA – 3.0 or higher
  • Science GPA – 3.0 or higher (recommended) 
Licenses/Certificates
  • RN licensure; RN in California before clinical courses
  • Current Certifications:  BLS, ACLS and PALS are required; CCRN (preferred)
Experience
  • Minimum 1 year, full-time adult critical care RN experience (in the U.S.) at time of application. Minimum 1 year, full-time adult critical care RN experience (in the U.S.) at time of application (excluding orientation). Experience is evaluated on an individual basis.
  • Clinical observation with CRNA – 8 hours (must be completed before admission interview)
Recommendations
  • Current ICU Charge Nurse
  • Current ICU Director (or person who performs yearly evaluations)
  • Clergy/Spiritual Advisor
Clinical observation with a CRNA is recommended but not required at this time. Due to COVID-19, observation opportunities are not available at Loma Linda University Health. You may do your clinical observation at another facility.
Integrating faith and health
Integrating faith and health
Integrating faith and health
Loma Linda University educates and encourages a balanced life by living our values of humility, compassion, justice, integrity, excellence, freedom and self- control. You will be surrounded by faculty who are committed to healthcare innovation and research while engaging your spirituality.

Expected Cost of Attendance

The following estimated cost of attendance is based on full-time attendance for the number of months enrolled per academic year. Estimated amounts may vary based on a number of factors. Students may use these estimates when applying for financial aid.

Required Program Costs

Academic Year 2025-2026

Year of Program
Months Enrolled 		Year 1
9 		Year 2
12 		Year 3
11 		Year 4
7
Tuition & Fees $50,277 $60,886 $38,266 $19,458
Books, Materials, Supplies & Equipment Allowance
(May or may not be purchased through the school) 		$4,775 $1,150 $140 $50

Other Educational Costs

Non-required costs that can be funded with scholarships/loans.

Year of Program
Months Enrolled 		Year 1
9 		Year 2
12 		Year 3
11 		Year 4
7
Living Expense (Food & Housing Allowance)
Students will be assigned one of the following Living Expense Budget Options:
  • On Campus Dorm
    		•  $12,015 $16,020 $14,685 $9,345
  • LLU Owned Rental Property
    		•  $19,800 $26,400 $24,200 $15,400
  • LLU Owned Rental w/ Dependents
    		• $20,655 $27,540 $25,245 $16,065
  • Undergraduate Dependent w/ Parents
    		•  $7,290 $9,720 $8,910 $5,670
  • Off Campus
    		•  $19,800 $26,400 $24,200 $15,400
    Transportation Allowance $3,150 $4,200 $4,200 $2,450
    Miscellaneous Personal Expenses $3,285 $4,380 $4,380 $2,555
    Federal Student Loan Fees $2,786 $3,449 $2,452 $1,100
    Cost of Obtaining Professional License 0 0 0 $1,500
    Dependent Care
    (See Budget Revision Request form)     		Available upon Request
    Disability-Related Expenses
    (See Budget Revision Request form)     		Available upon Request

    Notes

    • Estimated amounts are for the academic year specified only. Amounts are based on full-time attendance for the number of months enrolled per academic year. International students need to calculate 12 months of living expenses based on these amounts.
    • Amounts are expected to increase each year consistent with inflation in the professional education sector.
    • To qualify for financial aid, most students must be enrolled at least half time in an aid eligible program and be taking degree requirements. Half time is 6 units in a quarter for undergraduate programs and 4 units in a quarter for graduate programs.