Frequently Asked Questions

Yes in order to apply to the program you will need to have completed a Baccalaureate degree in Nursing from an NLN or CCNE accredited nursing program. Many applicants complete the Associate Degree in Nursing as an entry level degree and obtain the BSN while they are working in the critical are area.

Yes you have to be Registered Nurse with a BSN. At the time of application you must have a current non-restricted license as an RN in the state in which you currently practice. If you are accepted to the program you will be required to have/maintain an current non-restricted license as an RN in North Carolina .

Yes, GRE (taken within the last five years ) scores are required and considered in the admissions process, This requirement is not waived if you already have a master’s degree. We do not accept the MAT.

You must have current certification in ACLS (either provider or instructor level) to apply to the program. You may apply for the program without PALS certification but must have current PALS certification prior to admission. Both certifications must be maintained throughout the program

No CCRN certification is NOT required, but is encouraged, for application or admission.

Absolutely. In this care you would apply through the post master’s certificate route in the nurse anesthesia program

We accept applications all year, but the completed application must be received by May 31^st (seven months prior to the January start date). Interviews takes place with the Nurse Anesthesia Admissions Committee in June and July which is six months prior to the January start of the program.

Please feel free to call the Nurse Anesthesia Program office at 252-744-6373 and we will be happy to assist you in any way we can.

You will need to have at least one year of full-time employment in an adult critical care (ICU) setting prior to interviewing with the Admissions Committee. (Typically occurs in June/July, which is six months prior to the January start of the program). The purpose of this is to become proficient with invasive patient monitoring, as well as managing patients who require ventilator support and/or vasoactive. We require 1 full year (2080 hours) of adult critical care experience prior to intravenous medications. Types of Adult Critical Care Experience acceptable include Medical, Surgical, Cardiac, Neuro and/or Trauma ICU. We do not consider experience in step down units, Post-anesthesia care units (PACU) or Emergency Room in fulfilling this requirement

The Nurse Anesthesia Program is a seven semester, 28 month program of study The student's time commitment is approximately 40-70 hours per week. This time commitment includes study time. One hour of classroom time generates two hours or more of study time. Part time employment while in this program is not encouraged.

There are no travel requirement outside of area (see Clinical Curriculum).

Financial assistance is available through:

1. Scholarships awarded by the university
2. Federal loans
3. Private Scholarships
4. NC Nurse Scholars Program
5. Scholarships Available through the AANA

We take one class each year and it begins in January . Our class size in 12-14. We have a 95% graduation rate (since inception of the program in 2003) and a 92% first time rate (100% overall pass rate) on the National Certification Examination (since inception of the program in 2003). 100% of our graduates were working as CRNAs within a short period after graduation (typically weeks). Most of our graduates (88%) begin their professional careers as CRNAs in North Carolina.

The ECU College of Nursing already offers a doctoral degree, the PhD in Nursing. For those who wish to pursue a clinical doctorate, the College is planning to offer the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). This will initially begin as a post-masters degree and will be offered entirely on-line. Starting date is anticipated to be fall 2013.