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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is an integrated program?

Integrated nurse anesthesia programs arrange their curricula so that students participate in didactic and clinical education simultaneously. In front loaded program students complete all didactic courses before beginning their clinical experience. CAMC students begin clinical education in the simulation lab their second semester, and progress to the operating room in the third semester.

2. Can I apply to the nurse anesthesia program through Marshall University?

The school is affiliated with Marshall, but Marshall does not handle administrative or application procedures. All nurse anesthesia program applications must be made directly to CAMC School of Nurse Anesthesia. The only exception is GRE scores, which must be sent directly to Marshall University.

3. Can I take any other Admission Test besides the GRE?

No, the GRE is required for admission.

4. How do I submit my GRE scores?

When you take the GRE indicate that you want the scores sent to Marshall University, code 5396. When you receive your score in the mail, send a photocopy to CAMC School of Nurse Anesthesia.

5. Does it make a difference when I took the GRE?

GRE scores are good for five years. If it has been longer than five years since you took the test, you will need to test again.

6. What counts as critical care experience?

Click here for this information

7. Do I need to have a full year of Critical Care experience before I submit my application?

No. You can apply if you will have two years of experience before classes start.

8. Is there a research requirement?

Participation in original research is an important part of doctoral education. The DMPNA is a practice doctorate and requires the completion of a research project. A practice degree research project is not a PhD dissertation. The DMPNA program includes 9 hours of classroom instruction regarding research methods. Third year students complete their research projects with faculty supervision and support. Click here for more information

9. Can I elect to receive a Masters degree?

Applications are no longer being accepted for the Masters program.

10. How many applicants do you have each year?

Applicant numbers are very difficult to determine. The variation in applicant numbers nationally fluctuates with the employment market. At this time the job market is very good for CRNAs and we have a large applicant pool. In recent years the numbers have been well over 100. Early application is highly recommended.

11. How many students do you accept each year?

Each class’s appropriate size is determined individually, but in general has been 25-26 students yearly.

12. When do classes start?

Classes begin in May of every year.

13. What is the deadline for application?

Applications are accepted year round. Applications must be completed by February 1, to be considered for the class entering that year. The Admissions Committee begins its evaluations in November of the year prior to enrollment. Applicants who complete their packet early help facilitate the evaluation process.

14. When will my application be considered?

Your application will be considered at the next Admissions Committee meeting, following full completion of your application packet. A completed application packet consists of: · A completed application form
· Three references from persons in the health profession who are familiar with the applicant's qualifications. One of which should be the immediate supervisor
· Proof of licensure as a registered nurse
· A resume detailing education and work experience
· Official transcripts from each college or university attended
· GRE scores

15. I sent everything in, why isn’t my application packet complete?

Your application packet is not complete until we have all three references returned. When you give us three names, we send out a request for a reference. Your application is not complete until each of those references is returned to us. If your reference person does not answer the request in a timely fashion, this can delay the completion of your application packet. Another possible reason for an incomplete application packet is a missing transcript. Please remember we must have a transcript for each academic institution you attended. Even if credits were transferred to another institution, we must have a transcript from the institution where the courses were originally taken.

16. How do I pay for school?

Anesthesia school is a major commitment, in both time and money. Applicants should make their plans well ahead of time. School is a full time commitment, and leaves absolutely no time for employment. Anesthesia students depend on their families, and savings for support. This can be supplemented by student loans. Some students receive financial sponsorship while in school. In return, the student commits to a contractual agreement to work for the sponsor after successful graduation and certification.

17. What about financial aid?

Accepted applicants will receive detailed information about the financial aid application process for student loans. CAMC School of Nurse Anesthesia students have different tuition requirements than other Marshall University students. Consequently, CAMC students' financial aid process differs from that of the usual Marshall student. In order to get the most accurate information, applicants interested in our program must speak to Marshall financial aid officers that work specifically with our program. In order to obtain the current list of these officers, contact the CAMC School of Nurse Anesthesia office.

18. What is CAMC's attrition rate? What is CAMC's certification pass rate?

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19. Does a DMPNA degree qualify a nurse anesthesia graduate to obtain certification?

Yes. In order to obtain certification a student must have graduated from a program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). CAMC School of Nurse Anesthesia has COA accreditation.

COA accreditation standards require programs to grant a graduate degree. COA does NOT require that the degree be in nursing. While many accredited nurse anesthesia programs grant a graduate degree in nursing, there are many who grant degrees in non-nursing disciplines. CAMC is one of those non-nursing programs.

All 50 of the United States recognize nurse anesthesia graduates of any COA accredited program, whether their degree is in nursing, or another discipline.

20. Are graduates of CAMC School of Nurse Anesthesia/Marshall University DMPNA program eligible for licensure as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN)?

Many states issue specific APRN licenses to CRNAs and other advanced practice nurses. Each state regulates their specific rules for licensure. Many states require a graduate degree (masters or higher) to obtain this licensure. CAMC graduates are practicing in every oneof the United States and have been able to obtain an APRN license in those states which require it. At CAMC, we are not aware of ANY state that has refused one of our graduates the licensure required to practice nurse anesthesia in that state.

WV requires a masters degree in nursing in order to make announcement as an advanced practice nurse. However, WV does not require announcement of advanced practice for a CRNA to work as a nurse anesthetist.

21. Are graduates of CAMC School of Nurse Anesthesia/Marshall University DMPNA eligible for prescriptive authority?

Typical nurse anesthesia practice does not require prescriptive authority. Prescriptions are written for third parties to dispense medication. Since nurse anesthetists obtain their own medications and administer them directly without the involvement of a third party, there is no "prescription".

Prescriptive authority is a licensure issue, so each state regulates this. Some states have decided to require nurse anesthetists to obtain prescriptive authority. In those states, nurse anesthesia graduates of non-nursing programs (like CAMC's) have qualified to obtain prescriptive authority. At CAMC, we are not aware of ANY state that has refused one of our graduates prescriptive authority, if it is required to practice nurse anesthesia in that state.

WV state law requires advanced practice status to obtain prescriptive authority. To our knowledge, WV is the only state to require a masters degree in nursing to obtain advance practice status. So nurse anesthesia graduates of non-nursing programs are not able to obtainprescriptive authority in WV. However, prescriptive authority is not required to practice as a CRNA in WV.

22. How unusual is it for a nurse anesthesia program to grant a degree in a discipline other than nursing?

This is not at all unusual. Nurse anesthesia has a history of recognizing a diversity of degrees. The standards of the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) do not require that programs grant nursing degrees.

Many practicing CRNAs around the country have degrees in fields other than nursing. If any state chose to not recognize these non-nursing degrees, a large number of CRNAs would not be eligible to practice in that state. While any state regulating agency has the power to make such a limitation, the implications for delivery of anesthesia care during times of provider shortage would be a significant issue.

 

Excellence in nurse anesthesia education since 1955

For information about our Nurse Anesthesia Program write to:
Charleston Area Medical Center
School of Nurse Anesthesia
3110 MacCorkle Avenue SE
Charleston, WV 25304
Phone: 304-388-9950
Fax: 304-388-9955
Email: dittyh.rosengarten@camc.org

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