Top North Carolina CRNA Schools For 2024

Deciding on the right path for your nursing career can be tough.

Many nurses dream of advancing their careers by becoming Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). This role is key in healthcare, focusing on patient safety and care before, during, and after surgery.

One important step to this goal is choosing a solid school. North Carolina offers some great options for CRNA Schools in 2024.

North Carolina CRNA schools like Duke University and East Carolina University stand out for their quality education in nurse anesthesia. These schools provide rigorous training that blends classroom learning with hands-on clinical experience.

You’ll learn everything from basic life support to critical care, preparing you well for the national certification examination.

Our article will guide you through these top schools, what they offer, and how to pick the best one for you.

Let’s find out more!

List of CRNA Schools in NC:

Overview of CRNA Programs in North Carolina

A well-equipped CRNA school classroom in North Carolina promotes collaborative learning.

North Carolina offers many top CRNA programs. These schools prepare nurses for advanced roles in healthcare.

Duke University

Duke University, based in Durham, NC, offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. This program costs an estimated $179,778 in tuition. For students wanting to become CRNAs, it lasts 36 months if you study full-time.

Duke is veryselective about the applicants it admits into its program. Out of about 125 applicants, it picks less than 30 students.

They send their students to clinical sites in Virginia and North Carolina for real-life training. Here, future CRNAs get hands-on experience with patients under the watch of experts in nurse anesthesia.

East Carolina University

East Carolina University sits in Greenville, NC.

It runs a DNP program for future CRNAs that lasts 36 months and starts in May each year. You need to apply by September if you want to join the next year.

East Carolina CRNA School will cost you around $46,000 for instate tuition

The class sizes at East Carolina are small, with 12-14 students only. This means more focus on each student.

In 2023, their grads had a first-time pass rate of 92% on the national certification exam and everyone got a job after finishing.

Small classes and high success rates set East Carolina’s nurse anesthesia program apart.

University of North Carolina Charlotte

Moving from East Carolina University, the University of North Carolina Charlotte (UNCC) stands out for its CRNA program. It’s in Charlotte, NC.

This program costs $89,012 for instate tuition. Students finish it in 9 semesters, studying full-time.

The program works closely with Carolinas Medical Center for clinical practice. Here students learn by doing real work with patients. This hands-on experience is key to becoming great at providing care during surgeries and other medical procedures.

University of North Carolina Greensboro

The University of North Carolina Greensboro offers a CRNA program that costs $47,836.89. This 36-month program leads to a DNP degree.

Students go to clinical sites all over North Carolina.

This school prepares you well for the national certification exam. The program makes sure you learn everything you need about taking care of patients before and after surgery. Next, let’s talk about Wake Forest School of Medicine.

Wake Forest CRNA School

Wake Forest School of Medicine started training CRNAs in 1942. It offers a full-time program that lasts three years. Students spend much of their time at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, which is the main place where they learn by doing.

They work through 800 cases and log 2,500 hours across more than 30 clinic spots. This hands-on approach helps students get real experience in many care settings.

For the class starting in 2025, the typical student had a GPA of 3.78 and GRE scores around 312. They also had about two years of ICU work and over three years as an RN before joining, with most holding CCRN certification (92%).

After finishing, grads do well; all from the class of 2023 found jobs within six months, passed their board tests at a rate of 96%, and no one left the program early in 2022.

Western Carolina University

Western Carolina University gives great importance to its Nurse Anesthesia program. The institution establishes distinct responsibilities for educators and students to ensure effective learning and maintain safety.

They provide a three-year schedule packed with necessary courses and genuine hospital practice. Students commence their interaction with patients from the first year, securing practical experience for approximately 12 weeks.

Enrollment in this program demands full-time employment in critical care units such as cardiac or neurological wards. On acceptance into the program, a deposit of $3,000 is required.

This amount contributes to educational expenses. Western Carolina University enables nurses to excel, emphasizing on patient safety during their studies.

Key Factors in Choosing a CRNA School

Picking the right CRNA school is a huge descion for a future CRNA to make.

Lots of factors come into choosing a school. Some of those factors include:

Schools location
Cost
Application Deadlines
Schools pass rate
Ease of Applying

These are just a few things that you may want to think about when deciding on where to go to CRNA School. Not everyone has the same thoughts or needs when it comes to choosing a school.

Here are a few more things to consider listed below.

Accreditation and Reputation

Wake Forest University School of Medicine is known for its strong programs. It has the okay from top groups that check schools. This means they meet high standards in education and training.

High rankings by U.S. News & World Report show they are a top choice for learning.

Schools like Duke, East Carolina, and UNC Charlotte also have good names because of their quality. These schools prepare students well for jobs in health care after graduation. Students get ready to pass big tests and earn their licenses as CRNAs with confidence from these respected programs.

Program Length and Curriculum

CRNA programs in North Carolina take about 36 months to finish. At Duke University, East Carolina University, and Wake Forest School of Medicine, future CRNAs spend three full years learning.

This time helps them get ready for jobs where they will give care during surgery. The learning includes core courses that cover everything a nurse needs to know about giving anesthesia safely.

Students also spend lots of time in simulation labs. These labs are like real-life settings but are controlled environments where students can practice without risk.

Learning by doing is at the heart of CRNA education.

In these programs, registered nurses become experts in acute care through hands-on training. They go beyond lectures and into hospitals for clinical rotations. Here, they work closely with experienced anesthesiologists and nurse practitioners.

Also, schools make sure students are ready for their board certification and national certification exams before graduating. This focus on practical skills makes sure new CRNAs can face the challenges of their roles head-on right after school.

Clinical Rotation Opportunities

Clinical rotation opportunities are a big part of CRNA school. They let you practice in real hospitals and care places. Duke University sends students to Virginia and North Carolina for this.

You get to work in different sites, seeing lots of cases. Wake Forest offers even more chances with over 800 cases and 2,500 hours across 30+ sites. It gives you a wide view of the job.

At the University of North Carolina Greensboro, students go all around the state. But they don’t stay just near the school for their rotations. This means you can see how things are done in many places.

Each site has its own way of doing things, from big medical centers to smaller surgery centers like those for ambulatory or outpatient surgery.

Living in North Carolina

North Carolina is a great place to live for future CRNAs. The state has beautiful nature, friendly communities, and a strong healthcare system. You can enjoy the mountains or beaches on your days off.

Healthcare workers find good support here, especially with loan forgiveness if you work in critical shortage areas. This makes living and working here rewarding.

Cities like Raleigh and Charlotte have vibrant scenes with lots of things to do. Whether you’re into outdoor activities or city life, North Carolina has something for everyone. Plus, the strong employment rate for CRNA graduates means you’re likely to find a job quickly after school.

Conclusion

Choosing the right CRNA school in North Carolina for 2024 involves looking at many things. Think about the program’s approval status, how long it takes, and where you can learn by doing.

Living in this state gives students a good place to study and work after they graduate. Each university offers something special, from Duke’s small class sizes to UNCG’s strong pass rates on exams.

Making the right choice will set up future nurse anesthetists for success.

FAQs

1. What are some top CRNA schools in North Carolina for 2024?

Bowman Gray School of Medicine and the School of Nursing at North Carolina Baptist Hospital are among the top CRNA schools.

2. What qualifications do I need to apply to these CRNA schools?

You’ll need a BSN degree or other academic degrees that meet Council for Higher Education Accreditation standards, acute care experience, and a passing Graduate Record Examination score.

3. Are there any specific courses or tests required during my study?

Yes, you will have course evaluations throughout your study. You also need certifications like Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support.

4. How many credit hours should I expect from these programs?

The number of credit hours varies by program but expect significant commitment as it’s post-graduation level education.

5. How can I gain relevant experience before applying to these schools?

RNs often gain experience in care facilities such as neonatal ICUs or ambulatory surgery centers which is valuable when applying.

6. What happens after graduation from these CRNA Schools in North Carolina?

After graduation, most students aim for national certification exam pass rate success while others may pursue further academic roles like professorship.