CRNA Post Masters

There are 51 CRNA schools that offer a CRNA Post Masters Certificate (PMC) or DNP Completion Program.  What does a Nurse Anesthetist PMC mean?  PMC and DNP Completion mean exactly the same thing.  Essentially, if you already have a master’s degree in nursing (MSN) in another specialty, depending on the school, you can be eligible to enroll in the PMC to receive a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, otherwise known as a DNP.  If you are currently a professional CRNA with an MSN, you can reach enroll in the Post Masters Certificate to reach your Doctorate degree.  The PMC is relatively new with more and more CRNA schools offering these certification routes as most CRNAs today are MS (Master of Science), MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) or MSNA (Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia) degree holders.

The reasoning behind calling it a DNP Completion program is because once you finish the degree, you have completed the path of becoming a CRNA, as there’s no additional degrees to attain following the DNP.

Is the CRNA Post Certificate and DNP Completion Program Important?

Well, as we all know by now, for various reasons the CRNA career path is moving towards the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree as an industry standard.  As mentioned in my writing on How Many Years Does it Take to Be a Nurse Anesthetist,

Back in 2007, the AANA (the official Nurse Anesthesia Association in the US) voted to require all CRNAs to get Doctors (DNP) degrees rather than Master of Science in Nursing Degrees (MSN).  Due to this law, all CRNA schools need to abide by the DNP 3 CRNA schooling years requirement by 2025.  Previously, over 70% of CRNA schools were Masters programs while 30% were Doctors programs.  Today, for the 2020 and 2021 school years, those figures are reversed.  Now, we see only 20% of CRNA schools offering master’s 2-year CRNA programs, while 80% of CRNA schools offer the DNP with 3 CRNA Schooling years.  The good thing is that all current CRNAs with master’s degrees prior to 2025 will be grand fathered in and will not have to get doctorate degrees to continue practicing.

Nelson, everythingCRNA.com

Why I think MSN to DNP CRNA Programs Aren’t Worth It

Although it’s a low possibility, there is a chance that more hospitals will require DNP or DNAP degrees from CRNAs for positions or list it as a requirement for job postings.  However, personally, I think this is extremely unlikely given that there’s already a shortage of CRNAs in the market today.  Some academia advisors recommend getting the DNP now.  However, my view is the complete opposite for the following reasons.

• Money: First, why spend the additional money on the tuition if it isn’t necessary at all for your career. 
• Opportunity Cost: Second, there’s the opportunity cost.  The time you spend studying could be spent doing other things.  Personally, I feel I’ve already invested enough money and time into my education since university and for my MSN that I feel it’s time I see a return on my time and money. 

I can improve my skillsets through real life learnings and on the job.  Although many of the courses are done online or can be spread out over many years, my view is why bother when it isn’t required. 

• Not Mandatory. Third, a DNP isn’t required.  All CRNA students and professionals who receive an MSN CRNA degree will not be required to obtain the DNP degree.  Unless this guideline specifically changes, I don’t recommend Post Masters CRNA degrees to anyone unless you enjoy academia or want to go back to school. 

Please note that this is my personal opinion and it’s quite controversial compared to others. Everyone’s opinion is different and I recommend you speak with more people.  As you can tell, I’m a realist and believe in sharing the truth with all my friends and readers.  😊

Post Masters CRNA

Some CRNA schools have very strict MSN to DNP requirements.  For example, Mayo Clinic, specifically states

This CRNA postgraduate degree program is designed for certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNAs) with a master’s degree. Applicants must have graduated from the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences Master of Nurse Anesthesia Program or be currently employed as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist by Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

List of all MSN to DNP Anesthesia Programs

Below is the list of all 51 CRNA Schools that offer a Post Masters CRNA Certificate program.  This list is updated for the 2022 academic year. These are all CRNA to DNP programs.

1. La Roche CRNA
2. Augusta CRNA Program
3. Murray State CRNA
4. Barry University Nurse Anesthesia Program
5. Baylor College of Medicine CRNA
6. Boston College CRNA
7. UNC CRNA Program
8. Cleveland Clinic CRNA program
9. Columbia University CRNA
10. Drexel CRNA
11. ECU CRNA
12. Excela Health School of Anesthesia
13. Florida Gulf Coast University CRNA
14. Case Western CRNA
15. La Salle CRNA program
16. Integrated Anesthesia Associates
17. Keiser University CRNA
18. Lincoln Memorial University CRNA Program
19. LSU CRNA Program
20. Lourdes University CRNA
21. Mayo Clinic CRNA
22. MUSC CRNA Program
23. Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia
24. Midwestern University CRNA
25. Missouri State University CRNA
26. Mount Marty CRNA
27. Newman CRNA
28. Northeastern CRNA
29. Northwestern CRNA Program
30. Oakland University CRNA Program
31. Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes
32. Quinnipiac CRNA Program
33. Raleigh School of Nurse Anesthesia
34. Rosalind Franklin CRNA
35. Samuel Merritt CRNA
36. TCU CRNA
37. Texas Wesleyan University CRNA
38. University of Akron CRNA
39. U of M CRNA Program
40. UPenn CRNA
41. University of Pittsburgh CRNA
42. University of Scranton CRNA
43. UTC CRNA
44. Union University CRNA
45. UPMC Hamot
46. Villanova CRNA program
47. VCU CRNA Program
48. Wake Forest CRNA
49. Webster University Nurse Anesthesia Program
50. Yale CRNA
51. York College CRNA

Top CRNA Schools

We spent hundreds of hours studying all CRNA schools and interviewing over 125 nurse anesthetists to create our exclusive list of Best CRNA Schools.  With the list of Best CRNA programs, you’ll know which CRNA schools are the best fit and which programs you should apply to.

Nurse Anesthetist Salary

How much can you make in the first year coming out of CRNA School? Here’s my real life experience on starting salary for CRNAs. Check it out and let me know what you think!

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Nelson

Author Bio: Nelson started everythingCRNA to help aspiring, student and practicing CRNAs & CAAs.

Nelson is currently a CRNA in New York City.  Previously, he worked as an ICU Travel RN and Critical Care RN in Philadelphia, Miami, Washington DC, and Boston.  He earned his BSN from Penn State and his MSN from Bloomsburg.  He is also a member of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA).

In his free time, he enjoys working out, exploring the outdoors, and helping future CRNAs.

Latest posts by Nelson (see all)

• April 2023 EverythingCRNA Update - April 9, 2023
• The Real Truth Behind the Rush CRNA Program - September 8, 2021
• CRNA Post Masters - August 26, 2021