Last updated: May 2026 | Researched and reviewed by Daniel Etheridge, CRNA
Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) operates the only Council on Accreditation (COA)-accredited nurse anesthesia program in Oregon. The Nurse Anesthesia Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program sits inside Oregon’s only academic health center, in Portland, and is built for experienced critical care RNs with a BSN who want to become CRNAs. This guide is written for BSN-prepared RNs preparing to apply — not for CRNAs returning for an additional doctorate.
Key Takeaways for the 2026 Applicant
- OHSU is the only COA-accredited CRNA program in Oregon.
- The degree awarded is the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), 129 credits.
- Program length: three years, full-time, front-loaded.
- Clinical hours: approximately 2,000 supervised hours across diverse sites.
- Cohort size: about 14 students per class.
- Minimum experience: one year of critical care RN experience before applying.
- GPA: 3.0 cumulative minimum, with a preferred science GPA of 3.0.
- Tuition: $889 per credit (Oregon resident), $926 per credit (non-resident).
- Class of 2025 outcomes: 92.3% first-time NCE pass rate, 100% employment within six months, 93% graduation rate.
- Accreditation: COA-accredited through October 2028.
Program Information at a Glance
| Official Name | Oregon Health & Science University, School of Nursing — Nurse Anesthesia D.N.P. Program |
| Address | 3455 SW US Veterans Hospital Road, Portland, OR 97239 |
| Phone | 503-494-7725 (toll free: 866-223-1811) |
| Contact OHSU School of Nursing admissions counselor (via OHSU site) | |
| Program Director | Verify current director on the OHSU Nurse Anesthesia faculty page |
| Degree Awarded | Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) |
| Program Length | 3 years, full-time (129 credits) |
| Start Date | Fall cohort (annual) |
| First Cohort Year | Long-established program; verify exact inception year with OHSU |
| Cohort Size | ~14 students |
| Distance Education | No — on-campus, in-person clinical model |
| Accreditation | COA-accredited through October 2028 |
Where the Program Lives
OHSU’s Nurse Anesthesia DNP is housed within the OHSU School of Nursing on Marquam Hill in Portland. As Oregon’s only academic health center, OHSU offers clinical placements across children’s hospitals, trauma centers, Veterans Affairs medical centers, and community surgical sites. Clinical placements are arranged by the program — students do not have to source their own preceptors. The campus is connected to the South Waterfront via the Portland Aerial Tram, which is part of daily life for students moving between hospital buildings.
Accreditation Status
The OHSU Nurse Anesthesia DNP program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) through October 2028. OHSU School of Nursing is also accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and OHSU as an institution is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). The COA’s mailing address is 10275 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 906, Rosemont, IL 60018-5603. Always verify current accreditation status directly with the COA before making application decisions.
Admission Requirements
Academic Prerequisites
- BSN or BS with a major in nursing from an accredited institution
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative undergraduate and graduate GPA
- Preferred science GPA of 3.0 or higher
Licensure & Critical Care Experience
- Active Oregon RN license by the start of the program
- Minimum one year of critical care RN experience before applying
- Competitive applicants typically have more than the minimum, often in high-acuity adult ICU settings
Application Materials
- Submit through NursingCAS
- All college coursework entered in NursingCAS
- Three letters of reference
- Resume and essays
- Official transcripts (sent to NursingCAS)
Application Timeline
According to OHSU, the next application cycle is scheduled to reopen in August 2026 via NursingCAS. Applicants should plan to have their critical care experience, transcripts, references, and personal essays ready well before that. Always verify cycle dates and deadlines on the OHSU Nurse Anesthesia program page before locking in your timeline.
Curriculum
The OHSU program is a 129-credit, three-year, front-loaded DNP. The structure roughly breaks down as:
- Year 1: Foundational graduate nursing coursework, advanced physiology and pharmacology, anesthesia principles, simulation-based skills training.
- Year 2: Specialty anesthesia coursework alongside expanding clinical rotations in obstetrics, trauma, ENT, radiology, pulmonology/endoscopy, pediatrics, regional anesthesia, and cardiac.
- Year 3: Full-time clinical immersion across diverse sites, plus completion of the 7-credit DNP scholarly project.
Total clinical exposure is approximately 2,000 supervised hours (42 clinical practicum credits). For the exact current course list and required credits, see the OHSU Nurse Anesthesia program page.
Tuition and Cost of Attendance
- Oregon residents: $889 per credit
- Non-residents: $926 per credit
- Total credits required: 129
On a straight per-credit basis, that puts tuition alone roughly in the $114,000 (resident) to $119,000 (non-resident) range across the three-year program. That figure does not include university fees, health insurance, books, equipment, living expenses in Portland, or relocation costs. OHSU offers a variety of nursing scholarships, and DNP students may qualify for federal and state loan forgiveness or repayment programs. Verify current tuition rates and fees directly on the OHSU School of Nursing site.
Faculty and Leadership
The program is taught by a mix of academic faculty and practicing CRNAs from across OHSU’s clinical sites. Faculty rosters and current program director information change over time — confirm the current leadership team on the OHSU Nurse Anesthesia faculty page before referencing names in your application essays or interview prep.
Program Outcomes
OHSU publishes the following recent outcomes:
- Class of 2025 NCE first-time pass rate: 92.3%
- Class of 2025 employment within six months: 100%
- Class of 2025 graduation rate: 93%
- Long-range (2008–2025) graduation rate: 96%
- Long-range (2008–2025) NCE first-time pass rate: 93% (100% eventual pass rate among program completers)
How OHSU Compares Within Oregon
OHSU is the only COA-accredited CRNA program in Oregon, so within state lines there is no head-to-head comparison. Applicants who don’t match at OHSU often look across the Columbia River to programs in Washington, or down to programs in California and Idaho.
Who This Program Is Best Suited For
Strong Fit If
- You want to stay in the Pacific Northwest and have ties to Portland or surrounding metros
- You value academic medical center exposure (trauma, peds, cardiac, regional, OB) inside one health system
- You prefer a program that arranges your clinical placements rather than requiring you to find your own
- Small cohort size (about 14) appeals to you and you want close faculty access
Consider Other Options If
- You need a distance/hybrid delivery model — OHSU’s program is in-person
- You can’t relocate to Portland for three years
- You want a larger cohort or a wider rotation network outside one health system
- You’re targeting lower cost-of-living markets and a less competitive admissions pool
Frequently Asked Questions
Is OHSU the only CRNA school in Oregon?
Yes. It is the only Council on Accreditation (COA)-accredited nurse anesthesia program in the state.
How competitive is OHSU’s CRNA program?
Very. With a cohort of around 14 and applicants drawn nationally, the academic and ICU experience bar is high. Many admitted students exceed the minimum one year of critical care experience.
Do I need to live in Oregon before applying?
No, but you need an Oregon RN license by the time the program starts. Tuition differs for Oregon residents and non-residents.
Does OHSU require the GRE?
Verify current GRE requirements directly on the OHSU Nurse Anesthesia admissions page — testing requirements at CRNA programs have shifted in recent years.
Is the program full-time?
Yes. The DNP is a three-year, full-time program with significant clinical hours. Students typically do not work as RNs during the program.
What kind of ICU experience does OHSU prefer?
High-acuity adult critical care — MICU, SICU, CVICU, neuro ICU, or trauma — tends to be most competitive. The official minimum is one year, but stronger applicants usually have more.
Additional Resources
- OHSU Nurse Anesthesia DNP — official program page
- Council on Accreditation (COA)
- National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA)
- Oregon State Board of Nursing
- Back to: CRNA Schools in Oregon
Disclaimer
This page is for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with OHSU, the Council on Accreditation, the Oregon State Board of Nursing, the NBCRNA, or the AANA. Program details, tuition, deadlines, accreditation status, and outcomes can change — always verify directly with OHSU and the COA before making application decisions.