Contact the Admissions Office
Call 314-246-7800 or 800-753-6765 or email admit@webster.edu
Call 314-246-7800 or 800-753-6765 or email admit@webster.edu
The Nurse Anesthesia DNAP program fosters expertise in the art and science of anesthesia, and prepares students for practice as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). Clinical experience is an essential component of the program and is fulfilled through partnerships with private-practice and university-based clinical facilities. By the time students graduate, they have obtained real-world clinical experiences at these institutions in a broad range of general, regional and monitored anesthesia care to adults and children. With so many advances in the medical arena, from cell biology, biochemistry and biotechnology, to genetics, forensics and surgery technology, the St. Louis region is in the heart of the rapidly developing BioBelt corridor and provides top career options for Nurse Anesthesia graduates.
Applicants for the 2023 program must submit their application by Sept. 1, 2022. Program interviews will be scheduled for late October/early November 2022.
The application deadline to join the program in 2024 is June 1, 2023 with subsequent interviews to be scheduled for August 2023.
The program offers more than 20 clinical sites with clinical rotations, including dedicated rotations in cardiovascular, pediatrics, and obstetrics.
Full-time faculty hold doctoral degrees and are specialists in their content areas. They share a passion for education and a commitment to learning.
Nurse Anesthetist faculty members maintain active clinical practices, reinforcing their hands-on expertise with cutting-edge advancements in the field of anesthesia.
Small class sizes create an ideal learning environment of collaboration and discovery. Webster also offers exceptional on-campus library services with a reference librarian assigned to the nurse anesthesia program.
To read about specific program requirements, learning outcomes and how to apply, view program details from the graduate catalog:
Submit the following required documents:
Browning Hall, ISB 101, 8274 Big Bend Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63119
Department Chair and Associate Professor
Browning Hall, ISB 105
Phone 314-246-7846
Email jillstulce02@webster.edu
Department Coordinator
Browning Hall, ISB 101
Phone 314-246-5927
Email jamiebreuer@webster.edu
Your admissions counselor is assigned based on your last name. Please refer to the information below to connect and ask questions.
*Prospective students should direct all initial program inquiries to the Program Admissions Contact
Students in the nurse anesthesia program benefit from highly knowledgeable science and anesthesia faculty who are specialists in their content areas. They share a passion for education and a commitment to learning and teaching in smaller class sizes. Basic science courses are taught by doctoral-educated full-time and adjunct faculty who are specialists in that content area.
Webster University is fortunate to have more than 15 clinical facilities and access to a state-of-the-art simulation center. These facilities afford us the opportunity to offer our students comprehensive exposure to a variety of settings, which include cardiothoracic, pediatrics, obstetrics, as well as opportunities in rural settings. Our clinical facilities are overseen by highly qualified nurse anesthetists and physician anesthesiologists. Clinical rotations begin in the 2nd term of the first year.
In order to fulfill the graduate research project requirement, students must develop and execute a research project. Webster University offers a variety of diverse and dynamic research opportunities, including bench, clinical, policy & protocol analysis and survey research. In conjunction with our PhD biological sciences faculty, we are able to offer hands-on laboratory bench research involving anesthetic agents currently in use in the clinical setting. The strong support of our clinical sites allows our students to develop and direct research studies applicable to clinical practice. These types of opportunities are directed by anesthesia faculty at the clinical sites and provide evidence-based results with implications for the delivery of patient care. Survey research offers insight into the academic, psychosocial and environmental impact the specialty of nurse anesthesia has on individual patients, practitioners, etc. Policy and protocol analysis fosters the review and implementation of practices that support best patient outcomes.
The types of outcomes gleaned from this type of research can be utilized to improve our anesthesia programs and our clinical practice. We believe our research opportunities are among the most vibrant offered in any anesthesia program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthetists, and we are continuously looking for ways to expand research opportunities.
The DNAP Program is committed to providing service to the University, the community, the profession and the nation. Faculty and NA residents become members of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) and the Missouri Association of Nurse Anesthetists (MOANA). The program shows support by attending AANA and MOANA meetings, attending MOANA's Advocacy Day in Jefferson City and participating in an annual University service day. Our students are encouraged to serve in leadership roles within a variety of communities and organizations.
3rd year Students and faculty members attend the annual meeting of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA). The five-day conference is a great opportunity to gain insight and knowledge from leaders and innovators in the field of anesthesia. This conference combines clinical educational opportunities with informational sessions regarding patient safety, wellness, legislative issues and the business of the national organization.
As part of the educational experience at Webster, not only are students afforded the opportunity to participate in activities associated with the national organization, the AANA, they are also required to attend the fall and spring state association meetings. As associate members of the Missouri Association of Nurse Anesthetists, MOANA, students are able to run for student offices within the organization and serve as the student representative on various committees. The program feels that opportunities such as these encourage a sense of responsibility to contribute to the profession and play a vital role in the professional development of a future CRNA.
Many nurse anesthetists play an active role in influencing state and federal legislation concerning patient safety, accessibility to anesthesia services, nurse anesthesia education and reimbursement issues. Every February, MOANA sponsors a day to meet with state legislators at the capitol building in Jefferson City. This function, Advocacy Day, is an opportunity for CRNAs to meet with their legislators and discuss issues vital to the profession of nurse anesthesia in the state of Missouri. Students play a key role in contacting and educating key members of the Missouri congress about proposed legislation affecting the practice of nurse anesthesia. It is a wonderful opportunity to get involved at the grassroots level and make a difference.
In addition to the AANA annual meeting, there are other opportunities to participate on the national level. There are three other meetings offered by the AANA on a yearly basis. The Assembly of School faculty is a meeting held in February of every year that offers informational sessions for nurse anesthesia educators and program directors. This is an opportunity to meet other educators and share ideas. Students having an interest in pursuing a career as a nurse anesthesia educator are afforded the opportunity to attend this meeting.
Every April, the Mid Year Assembly is held in Washington DC. This meeting is very similar to the advocacy day event held at the state level. CRNA's who attend this meeting are educated on the current or proposed federal legislation that has the potential to affect nurse anesthesia practice. Students with desire to influence policy decisions are encouraged to attend this meeting. The result of attendance at the Mid Year Assembly is a better understanding of the effects of the decisions made in Washington on CRNA education funding and practice.
The Fall Leadership Academy is held in November. This meeting focuses on developing strong effective leaders for the state organizations. Any student with aspirations of leadership at the state level should consider attending this event.
The National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to promoting patient safety by enhancing provider quality in the field of nurse anesthesia. They accomplish their mission through the development and implementation of credentialing programs that support lifelong learning among nurse anesthetists.
The Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) program is fully accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). The COA is the accrediting agency for nurse anesthesia programs in the United States, its territories, and protectorates.
Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA)
222 S. Prospect Avenue
Park Ridge, Ill. 60068-4001
Main Number: 847-655-1160
Fax: 847-692-7137
Email: accreditation@coacrna.org
Website: http://www.coacrna.org/Pages/default.aspx
The Nurse Anesthesia Program retains a very low attrition rate:
Historically the first time pass rate for the CRNA exam is 94.4%:
The employment rates for graduates within 6 months of graduation remains at 100%:
The Webster University Nurse Anesthesia Program has an ethical responsibility for the safety of the patients with whom students and graduates will come into contact. Although students learn and work under the supervision of the faculty, students interact directly with patients throughout the anesthesia education process. Patient safety and well being are therefore major factors in establishing requirements involving the sensory, motor, cognitive, and behavioral abilities and characteristics described herein as “performance standards.” The attributes encompassed in the Performance Standards are broad categories, and are required in order to function in a competent manner in settings that may involve long work hours, heavy workloads, and stressful situations.
The Department of Nurse Anesthesia acknowledges the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Learn more about accomodations at Webster University.
Students need to have the physical and emotional endurance to adapt to a demanding graduate program. Successful progression through the nurse anesthesia program requires the following abilities:
Tuition and fees remain stable over the duration of enrollment (assuming continuous full-time enrollment is maintained) and are divided evenly throughout the program.
Tuition and fees listed reflect the class of 2023:
Fees of $12,000 for the entire program include the following items:
Items not included within the tuition and fees structure may include, but are not limited to:
Further information about tuition assistance can be obtained from the University's Office of Financial Aid.
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