Didactic & Clinical Curriculum
The program is a 36 months program over nine semesters that prepares graduates for the full scope of anesthesia practice. Didactic coursework is taught by experts in their field, emphasizing current evidence and techniques to support patient care. Coursework is held both at the Cleveland Clinic and the new state-of-the-art Cleveland Clinic/Case Western Reserve University Health Education Campus.
During the program, students will complete a scholarly project focusing on an issue related to improving patient outcomes. Students will have the opportunity to work with experts from both Outcomes Research and Nursing Research within the Cleveland Clinic, as well as experts from the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University. Students will be encouraged to present their projects at state and national meetings.
The clinical curriculum is designed to provide students with broad educational experience. The Cleveland Clinic is a world-renowned international quaternary care referral center; students gain unparalleled experience with patients with serious medical conditions undergoing complex surgical procedures. A strong emphasis is placed on the use of evidence to inform clinical decision-making. Students rotate through a number of different multiple facilities to gain experience in many different anesthesia specialties. The majority of the student’s clinical education takes place at the Cleveland Clinic main campus, with some rotations to regional hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers for specialty experiences and enrichment.
Simulation is used throughout the program to augment skills in basic and advanced airway management, proper positioning during surgery, spinal & epidural placement, and peripheral nerve blocks. Live models support realistic learning and provide hands-on experience. Cadavers are utilized during anesthesia courses to supplement anatomical education.
Students consistently exceed national requirements for case variety and complexity including multiple opportunities for regional anesthesia, peripheral nerve blocks, and invasive line placement. During the senior year, there is an opportunity for students to participate in international mission work through CWRU.
The complete listing of courses can be found at the CWRU website
Prerequisite Courses
- Basic Chemistry/Physics Courses
- Basic Writing Course
Application Process
All applicants must have either two years of critical care nursing experience, or one year critical care nursing experience plus subspecialty certification at the time of matriculation. Admission to the program is a two-step process. Applicants must first apply to the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Case Western Reserve University by June of each year. Then qualified applicants are invited to an interview in the fall for matriculation the following June. Offers of admission are made on a competitive basis; the number of applicants consistently far exceeds the number of available positions in the program. After offers of admission are made to the University, students are asked to indicate their preference for the clinical training sites. Students are then matched to one of the two programs (either Cleveland Clinic or Frances Payne Bolton) using a mutual selection process.
Accreditation
The program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs. On June 28, 2023, the Cleveland Clinic Foundation/Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing/Case Western Reserve University School of Nurse Anesthesia was granted continued accreditation for 10 years and will be scheduled for its next consideration of continued accreditation in Spring 2033.
Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA)
10275 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 906
Rosemont, IL 60018-5603
224-275-9130
www.coacrna.org
Program Outcomes
Students enrolled in the program receive a world-class didactic and clinical education. Students benefit from expertise of world-renowned clinicians in both the classroom and clinical setting and have access to a variety of surgical procedures and anesthetic techniques.
The program’s students have a high rate of completing the program, successfully passing the National Certification Examination, and obtaining employment within six months.
|
Class of 2024
|
| Program Attrition |
Employment within 6 Months |
National Certification Examination Pass Rate (1st attempt) |
| 5% |
95% |
95% |
Frequently Asked Questions
What university is the Cleveland Clinic School of Nurse Anesthesia affiliated with?
The Cleveland Clinic School of Nurse Anesthesia is affiliated with Case Western Reserve University (CWRU). Students receive a certificate in nurse anesthesia from the Cleveland Clinic, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from CWRU.
CWRU also has its own nurse anesthesia program through the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing. The two programs are separately accredited, but the didactic curriculum is the same. Students in both programs take the same courses, and share classroom space.
What is the official name of the Cleveland Clinic School of Nurse Anesthesia?
The official name is Cleveland Clinic Foundation/Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing/Case Western Reserve University School of Nurse Anesthesia.
What are the requirements to apply?
Qualified applicants will have, at a minimum:
- A baccalaureate or graduate degree in nursing or an appropriate major
- At least one year of recent critical care experience; this experience must have been obtained in the United States, its territories or a US military hospital outside of the United States
- CCRN certification
- A science GPA of 3.0 or higher for all prior coursework
- An unencumbered license as a registered professional nurse and/or an APRN in the United States or its territories or protectorates
How much does the program cost?
All tuition is paid directly to Case Western Reserve University. Tuition at CWRU is charged by the credit hour; the current tuition charge can be found at this site: Student Financial Services. All students are provided a grant in the amount of 20% of the tuition costs. Additional fees include lab fees, exam fees, etc are detailed on the website.
For more information on Student Financial Services.
Is financial aid available?
The majority of students receive financial aid from CWRU. This is in the form of student loans, scholarships, and training grants. Students are able to obtain enough financial aid to cover the cost of their tuition, books, and fees, plus reasonable living expenses, for the duration of the program.
How many students do you accept every year?
The Cleveland Clinic program accepts 15-20 students annually, depending on the availability of clinical opportunities and quality of the applicant pool.
Is there a stipend available?
Students who enroll in the Cleveland Clinic School of Nurse Anesthesia are provided a taxable stipend of $300/month, paid semi-monthly. There is no work commitment or contract associated with this stipend. Additionally, Cleveland Clinic provides healthcare insurance and malpractice insurance at no cost to the student. Additional healthcare coverage for the student’s dependents is available at a cost. Cleveland Clinic does not provide dental, vision, life, or disability insurance to students or their dependents.
How do I apply to the Cleveland Clinic program?
All applications are handled through CWRU; applications are accepted online at http://nursing.case.edu. Those applicants who meet admissions criteria are invited to an in-person interview. Offers of admission are made first to the University; upon acceptance of a spot, students are then offered a position within one of the two nurse anesthesia programs through a mutual selection process.
What is the interview process like?
The interview is an important part of the admissions process. The admissions committee is interested in learning more about your qualifications, motivations for entering advanced nursing practice, knowledge base as a critical care nurse, critical thinking abilities, and professional demeanor. It is our intent to admit only the most qualified nurses with a high aptitude for success.
What is the DNP project like?
All students must complete a scholarly project to earn their degree. Project is designed by the student in collaboration with a 3-member committee. The project must focus on an issue related to improving patient outcomes. The scholarly project can take a variety of forms, subject to approval. Students must publicly defend their completed project with their committee members.
Are there residents at the Cleveland Clinic program’s clinical sites?
The Cleveland Clinic is a quaternary care international referral center; there are a large number of trainees in all specialties. As it relates to anesthesia, there are resident physicians training in anesthesia at some of the clinical sites that SRNAs rotate through.
How many cases/clinical hours/procedures do graduates get?
Cleveland Clinic graduates exceed the minimum requirements as well as national averages in most areas, including number of cases, clinical hours, lines, nerve blocks, and specialty cases (obstetrics, hearts, etc).
Can I work during the program?
The program’s primary purpose is their education as a nurse anesthetist. Outside work, even on a part-time or PRN basis, is highly discouraged. Students can expect to be in clinical or class a minimum of 40 hours per week, plus time spent studying or preparing for their cases. Those who choose to work must disclose to the program director the nature, location, and hours of outside work. Should progress in the program become unsatisfactory, the student will be asked to terminate all outside work until progress is satisfactory. Students must obtain their own liability coverage while involved in any work as a Registered Nurse outside of Cleveland Clinic.
What are the prerequisite courses?
Students are required to complete four courses prior to enrollment (not application). These courses include a basic statistics course within the last five years, a writing course, and two chemistry/physics courses. Further details are shared in the offer of admission letter.
If I am denied admission, can I reapply?
Yes, you can apply/interview a maximum of three times. It is strongly suggested that you make an appointment with the program director to review and discuss options to strengthen your application.
Contact Information
Angela Milosh, DNP CRNA
Program Director
Cleveland Clinic Foundation School of Nurse Anesthesia
Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing
Case Western Reserve University
milosha@ccf.org
