Last updated: May 9, 2026 | By Daniel Etheridge, CRNASchool.com
Cleveland Clinic’s nurse anesthesia program is one of the most distinctive paths to becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in the country. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is conferred by Case Western Reserve University’s Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, with clinical immersion inside the Cleveland Clinic Foundation system.
This guide is written for ICU registered nurses pursuing CRNA practice via the BSN-to-DNP entry-level path.
Already a practicing CRNA returning for your doctorate? That is a different path covered separately.
If you are researching CRNA programs anywhere in the U.S., the Cleveland Clinic / Case Western option deserves serious consideration. It is also one of the most competitive tracks in the Midwest.
Key Takeaways for the 2026 Applicant
- Two tracks, one school: FPB Main (Case Western) and FPB-CCF (Cleveland Clinic) share accreditation but differ in clinical home and culture.
- Degree: Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), entry-level, 36 months, June start.
- Cohort size: Roughly 16–20 residents per FPB-CCF class, drawn from a national applicant pool.
- FPB-CCF outcomes (2024 published): 5% attrition, 94.7% first-time NCE pass rate, 94.7% employment within six months.
- Tuition: Private-university tuition (uniform for in-state and out-of-state); no in-state discount.
- Application portal: NursingCAS — applications close September 1 for the following May/June cohort.
- Accreditation: COA-accredited, DLR May 2023, NRD May 2033 (10-year cycle).
- Setting: Cleveland Clinic main campus + Cleveland Clinic regional hospitals + select affiliates.
Program Information at a Glance
- Official Name: Cleveland Clinic Foundation / Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing / Case Western Reserve University School of Nurse Anesthesia (FPB-CCF track)
- Address (CCF): 9500 Euclid Avenue, E-31, Cleveland, OH 44195
- Address (Case Western FPB): 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106
- Degree: Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Entry Level
- Length: 36 months, full-time
- Start Date: June (annual)
- Distance Education: Yes (per COA LOAP)
- Cohort Size (FPB-CCF): ~16–20 residents
- COA Accreditation: DLR May 2023; NRD May 2033
Two Tracks, One School: How FPB-CCF Differs from FPB Main
Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing operates the DNP-Nurse Anesthesia degree, and within it two distinct tracks share the same accreditation but differ in clinical home, cohort size, and culture.
The FPB Main track is centered at Case Western Reserve University and rotates students through a wider network of affiliate hospitals.
The FPB-CCF track is anchored inside the Cleveland Clinic Foundation system, with the bulk of clinical hours spent under Cleveland Clinic preceptors.
That distinction matters when you compare published 2024 outcomes:
- FPB Main: 14% attrition, 82% first-time NCE pass rate, 92% employment within six months.
- FPB-CCF: 5% attrition, 94.7% first-time NCE pass rate, 94.7% employment within six months.
If you are weighing which track to apply to, the practical question is fit. FPB-CCF is the right answer if you learn best inside one deeply integrated, high-volume health system; FPB Main is the right answer if you want a more varied affiliate-hospital exposure.
What Makes the Cleveland Clinic CRNA Program Stand Out?
Training Inside a Top-Ranked U.S. Hospital
Cleveland Clinic is consistently ranked among the top hospitals in the United States by U.S. News & World Report and is the #1 cardiac care center in the country.
CRNA students train within this ecosystem, which means routine exposure to cases most students would not see until well into their careers.
The Case Western Academic Backbone
The didactic and degree-conferring side of the program runs through Case Western Reserve University, a top-tier research institution.
The pairing gives students academic rigor alongside elite clinical exposure, with faculty drawn from practicing CRNAs and physician anesthesiologists across the Cleveland Clinic system.
A Research-Driven Culture
The DNP capstone scholarly project is integrated from the early semesters and is intended to address a real clinical problem.
Students often present at national conferences, and many publish — evidence-based practice is genuinely embedded in the curriculum.
Is Cleveland Clinic’s CRNA Program Hard to Get Into?
Yes — FPB-CCF is one of the more competitive CRNA tracks in the Midwest. FPB does not publish a single acceptance rate, but with cohorts of ~16–20 residents drawn from a national pool, admissions are highly competitive.
What Successful Applicants Actually Have
- GPA: Published minimum 3.0; admitted students typically present 3.6+ overall and 3.7+ in science prerequisites.
- ICU experience: One year minimum required; most admitted students have 2–4 years in high-acuity settings (CVICU, SICU, MICU, neuro-ICU).
- Critical care certifications: CCRN strongly preferred; CMC, CSC, or TCRN add weight for cardiac or trauma backgrounds.
- GRE: Historically required for most cycles; FPB occasionally publishes waiver windows, so confirm on the current application page.
- Letters & narrative: Strong CRNA/physician letters and a sharply focused personal statement are routine among admits.
The Application Process
Applications open in the spring and close September 1 for the following June cohort. The process includes a written application through NursingCAS, supplemental materials, transcripts, and a personal statement.
Competitive applicants are invited to interview in late fall or early winter. Interviews are typically panel-style and may include a clinical scenario component.
Decisions are released in winter for the following June start.
How Much Does the Cleveland Clinic CRNA Program Cost?
Breaking Down the Real Numbers
Case Western is a private university, so tuition is the same regardless of state of residence. Plan to budget for the full cost of the program plus living expenses for 36 months.
Cost Compared to Other Ohio CRNA Programs
Cleveland Clinic / Case Western is on the higher end among Ohio programs because of its private-university tuition.
By comparison, public Ohio programs like Ohio State, the University of Cincinnati, and the University of Akron typically run in the lower range for in-state Ohio residents (out-of-state residents pay higher rates at those public institutions).
The trade-off: the Cleveland Clinic clinical environment is hard to replicate.
Financial Aid Reality
Most students fund this program with federal Direct Unsubsidized and Grad PLUS loans.
Some employer tuition reimbursement is available for nurses currently working at Cleveland Clinic, and limited scholarships are offered through the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing.
The CRNA salary in Ohio averages $215,000+ annually for new graduates, generally allowing aggressive loan payoff within 5–8 years.
What GPA Do You Need for Cleveland Clinic CRNA Program?
The published minimum is 3.0, but admitted applicants typically present 3.6 or higher overall, with science prerequisite GPAs of 3.7+.
If your undergraduate GPA is lower, the most effective remedy is to take graduate-level science coursework (advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, chemistry) and earn As.
A strong CCRN, ICU leadership, and exceptional letters of recommendation can also offset a borderline GPA.
Clinical Sites: Where Will You Actually Train?
- Cleveland Clinic Main Campus (cardiac, transplant, complex surgical cases)
- Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital
- Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest Hospital
- Cleveland Clinic Akron General
- MetroHealth (trauma exposure)
- Pediatric and OB rotations through affiliate sites
What Cases Will You Get?
Students gain exposure to subspecialty anesthesia — including cardiac, neuro, transplant, pediatric, OB, and trauma — earlier and more frequently than at most U.S. CRNA programs.
Cleveland Clinic students typically graduate with case logs that exceed COA minimums by a wide margin in cardiac, vascular, and complex thoracic anesthesia. Heart transplants, LVAD placements, awake craniotomies, complex spine, and high-risk OB are routine.
What’s a Day in the Life Like?
Year 1: Foundations
The first year is heavily front-loaded with didactic coursework: advanced physiology, pharmacology, anesthesia principles, and chemistry/physics of anesthesia.
Expect 25–35 hours of class and study weekly during the academic block, plus simulation labs. Many students find this the most academically demanding stretch.
Years 2 and 3: Clinical Immersion
Once clinicals begin, students transition to 40–50 hour clinical weeks plus call shifts, ongoing didactic seminars, and DNP project work.
A typical clinical day starts around 6:00 AM with patient evaluation, anesthetic planning, and case setup, followed by induction, intraoperative management, and emergence.
Is the Cleveland Clinic CRNA Program Accredited?
Yes. The program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).
Per the COA List of Accredited Programs (March 6, 2026), the FPB-CCF School of Nurse Anesthesia holds Date of Last Review: May 2023 and Next Review Date: May 2033 — a full 10-year cycle.
Graduates are eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination (NCE) administered by the NBCRNA.
Who This Program Is Best Suited For
This Program Is Perfect for You If:
- You want exposure to the highest-acuity cases available in CRNA training.
- You’re drawn to cardiac, transplant, or complex subspecialty anesthesia.
- You value research and want a program where the DNP project is genuinely meaningful.
- You can handle a fast-paced, high-expectations academic medical center culture.
- You’re prepared to take on private-university tuition for elite clinical exposure.
Consider Other Options If:
- Cost is your primary deciding factor (other Ohio public programs cost less for in-state residents).
- You prefer smaller community-hospital clinical environments.
- You want a program with a strong rural-medicine focus.
- You’re not yet competitive on GPA, ICU acuity, or CCRN — build credentials first.
Living in Cleveland: What to Expect
Housing Costs
Cleveland is one of the more affordable major Midwest cities. A 1-bedroom apartment in University Circle, Ohio City, or Tremont runs roughly $1,100–$1,700 per month.
Roommate situations in Coventry, Lakewood, or Little Italy can drop housing costs to $700–$1,100. Many CRNA students live within 10–15 minutes of the Clinic.
Cost of Living Snapshot
Cleveland’s cost of living index is below the national average, particularly for housing. Groceries, transportation, and utilities are reasonable.
Parking near the Clinic can be expensive — budget for that. Public transit (RTA HealthLine) connects University Circle to downtown if you want to skip a car payment.
The Student Perspective
Students consistently describe the Cleveland Clinic experience as intense but transformative. The clinical learning curve is steep, the expectations are high, and the network you build with the Clinic’s CRNAs and other students is one of the strongest assets graduates carry into practice.
CRNA Job Market After Graduation
Ohio has a strong CRNA job market with consistent openings in major metros (Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton, Akron, Toledo) and rural hospitals. Cleveland Clinic graduates often have a job offer in hand before graduation.
Salary Expectations
Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Ohio CRNAs earn an average of $215,000–$235,000 annually, with experienced CRNAs in metropolitan or independent-practice settings exceeding $250,000.
Sign-on bonuses of $15,000–$40,000 are common, especially in rural or competitive markets.
Application Timeline
- Spring: NursingCAS application opens.
- September 1: Application deadline for the following June cohort.
- Late fall – early winter: Interviews (panel-style, may include a clinical scenario).
- Winter: Decisions released.
- June (next year): Cohort matriculates.
Interview Tips
- Be ready to talk specifically about why this program — generic answers are easy to spot.
- Know your patients: be prepared to walk through complex ICU cases you’ve managed.
- Demonstrate that you understand what a CRNA actually does, beyond “I want to do anesthesia.”
- Expect a clinical scenario question; think out loud, prioritize ABCs, and explain your reasoning.
- Have thoughtful questions ready about the curriculum and clinical sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “Cleveland Clinic CRNA School” the same as Case Western?
Functionally, yes. The DNP is awarded by Case Western Reserve University through the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, and the clinical home of the FPB-CCF track is Cleveland Clinic.
Applicants apply through FPB and select the CCF track inside the application.
What is the acceptance rate at the FPB-CCF CRNA track?
FPB does not publish a single acceptance-rate number for the CCF track. With cohorts of ~16–20 residents drawn from a national pool, admissions are highly competitive; meeting the ICU, GPA, and CCRN floors is necessary but not sufficient.
How many years of ICU experience do I need?
One year of full-time adult ICU is the published floor.
Admitted applicants typically present two or more years of high-acuity ICU experience (CTICU, MICU, SICU, or neuro-ICU) plus a current CCRN.
Does FPB-CCF require the GRE?
The GRE has historically been required by FPB.
FPB occasionally publishes waiver windows or test-optional cycles, so confirm on the current FPB application page before sitting for the exam.
How long is the program?
36 months, full-time, front-loaded.
Year one is didactic-heavy with simulation; years two and three are clinically dominant inside the Cleveland Clinic system.
Can I keep working as an ICU RN during the program?
FPB-CCF strongly discourages outside employment.
Once clinical immersion begins, working is effectively impossible; plan finances around three years of student status.
Additional Resources
- Case Western Reserve University — Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing
- Cleveland Clinic Anesthesiology Institute
- Council on Accreditation (COA)
- American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA)
- NBCRNA Certification Board
- All CRNA Schools in Ohio
- CRNA Schools by State
Disclaimer: Tuition, deadlines, cohort sizes, and program details are subject to change.
Always verify current information directly with Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing and the Council on Accreditation before applying.