Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

The St. Luke’s University Health Network/DeSales University Nurse Anesthesia program is for experienced critical care RNs who hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing and wish to become certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs).

SLUHN and DeSales University are thrilled to announce a new Nurse Anesthesia program, launching in Fall 2025. This program is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to excel as a CRNA. CRNAs play a vital role in modern healthcare, ensuring safe and painless surgical and medical procedures.

As advanced practice nurses, CRNAs contribute to healthcare in numerous ways:

• Delivering Exceptional Care: Providing safe, high-quality, and patient-centered anesthesia care.
• Patient Comfort and Reassurance: Offering comfort and support to patients before, during, and after procedures.
• Expanding Access to Care: Increasing access to anesthesia services in underserved areas.
• Enhancing Healthcare Efficiency: Contributing to cost-effective healthcare delivery.

Join a dynamic and respected profession. Become a CRNA and shape the future of anesthesia care.

The program is pending review for initial accreditation by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). Please note, no students can be enrolled until initial accreditation has been awarded. Below is contact information for the COA:

Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA)
10275 W. Higgins, Suite 906
Rosemont, IL  60018
Phone: 224-275-9130
Email: accreditation@coacrna.org
www.coacrna.org

• Baccalaureate degree in nursing from an ACEN or CCNE accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
• A minimum of 1 year (preferably 2 years) of full-time ICU/critical care experience.
• Completed application to DeSales University.
• ACLS/BLS/PALS certification.

One cohort will be accepted annually for a Fall/August start. Deadline to apply for the CRNA track is April 15.
Interviews for the SLUHN/DSU Nurse Anesthesia Program will begin February 1 and continue the first week of each month up until the cohort is filled.

1. Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate schools attended (when applicable).
• Electronic official transcripts can be sent to: gradadmissions@desales.edu
• Paper official transcripts can be mailed to:
  DeSales University Admissions Office
  ATTN: Graduate Programs
  2755 Station Ave.
  Center Valley, PA 18034
• All transcripts from any degree-granting institution outside the United States must be evaluated by a NACES-approved evaluation service, such as World Education Services, Inc., with the resulting report submitted directly to the Division of Nursing. Visit www.naces.org for more information. DeSales University’s institutional reporting code is 002021.
2. Current RN license and other national certifications as applicable
3. Resume or curriculum vitae
4. Documentation of 15 hours of shadowing and submission of CRNA Shadow Form provided by DeSales University.
• Letters of recommendation (Three total)
• Nurse Manager, Nursing Supervisor, or Unit Charge Nurse
• Physician
• Secondary Supervisor
5. The DNP Vision Statement is a 250 – 500 word description of the applicant’s future intentions and goals upon completion of a particular BSN-DNP track as a DNP graduate. The Statement should clearly express the applicant’s reasons for applying to the SLUHN/DSU Nurse Anesthesia Track and future professional and leadership goals as a doctorally-prepared Advanced Practice Registered Nurse.

*International applicants (regardless of citizenship) for whom English is a second language must submit English proficiency test scores (TOEFL, iBT, IELTS, or CAE) as part of their application. An official copy of test results must be sent by the testing agency directly to the Division of Nursing at DeSales University, 2755 Station Avenue, Center Valley, PA 18034. Visit the following websites for up-to-date information:

• The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• The International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
• The Cambridge English Proficiency (CPE)

All exams must have been taken within two years of application to a DeSales program.

A $2000.00 non-refundable deposit is due 2-weeks from date of acceptance to maintain the student’s offer of admission to that cohort. Students who have not deposited within that timeframe will be considered to have withdrawn their application, and a student from the waiting list will be offered their seat. All waitlisted students will receive communication 1-month from decision and leading up until start of program as to whether or not a seat is available. Deadline to apply is April 15. One cohort will be accepted annually for a Fall/August start. Interviews for the SLUHN/DSU Nurse Anesthesia Program will begin February 1 and continue the first week of each month up until the cohort is filled.

The admission process and requirements are rigorous; demonstrating minimum admission requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the DNP Program. Applicants selected for potential admission are required to have an interview before a final admission decision is rendered. Interviews will be conducted in person and will only be scheduled once all application materials have been received.