In 2007, "U.S. News and World Report" ranked Virginia Commonwealth University the best nurse anesthesia program among all colleges and universities in the United States. The public institution is in Richmond, Virginia, and offers both a master's and a doctoral degree in nurse anesthesia. Students must hold a master's degree in the field prior to entering the PhD program. The master's course of study lasts seven semesters with six clinical rotations mandatory for graduation. The doctoral program requires three years of full-time study. Virginia Commonwealth allows nurses to complete some of the coursework online and in telecourse format and offers some clinical placements in Roanoke and Abingdon, Virginia, to accommodate distance learners.
Virginia Commonwealth University
School of Allied Health Professions
1200 E. Broad St.
Richmond, VA 23298
804-828-9808
sahp.vcu.edu/nrsa/
Albany Medical College is a private institution located at Albany Medical Center, a 651-bed general medical hospital in New York's state capital city of Albany. The college's nurse anesthesiology program received the sixth-place ranking from "U.S. News and World Report" in 2007 when it tied with five other schools for the honor. The college offers a Master of Science degree in the field. Admission requires at least one year of experience working in acute care as a registered nurse. The programs entail two years of full-time study. Courses include biochemistry, pharmacology and physiology, and students must complete two research projects to fulfill graduation requirements. Clinical rotations begin at Albany Medical Center during the first semester of study, with students observing licensed nurse anesthetists and gradually assuming more responsibilities through six total clinical rotations.
Albany Medical College
47 New Scotland Ave.
Albany, NY 12208
518-262-4303
amc.edu
A private, nonsectarian health sciences school in Oakland, California, Samuel Merritt University ranked 16th for its nurse anesthesia program in "U.S. News and World Report's" 2007 rankings. The university offers its master's degree program with the cooperation of the Kaiser Permanente medical groups clinical facilities in Northern California. One year of previous critical-care nursing experience is required, and the school prefers applicants with two to three years of critical-care experience. Nurses in the program spend seven semesters completing the course requirements, which include classes in health policy, pharmacology, nursing theory and anesthesia principles. A senior thesis and six clinical rotations are mandatory for the degree program.
Samuel Merritt University
435 Hawthorne Ave.
Oakland, CA 94609
800-607-6377
samuelmerritt.edu