4 Best CRNA Schools in Minnesota – 2024

Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org

Are you an RN in Minnesota who likes fast-paced practice settings? Then, check out CRNA programs in Minnesota. CRNA programs train you how to administer anesthesia and monitor vital signs during surgical procedures, but just as importantly, they’ll teach you how to think critically and keep your cool in emergency situations. Once you graduate, you’ll become a highly respected professional making a very high salary: Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists in the North Star State earn $222,540 per year on average, and the demand for their services is expected to go up by 12 percent over the next decade. This list of the 4 best CRNA schools in Minnesota for 2024 is an excellent place to start.

RECOMMENDED ONLINE NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS

WHAT ARE THE BEST CRNA SCHOOLS IN MINNESOTA (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2024?

(Based on our ranking methodology, the following are the 4 Best Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Programs in Minnesota (Online & Campus).)

1. Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science - Rochester

Programs Offered: DNAP

About the School: Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science is a well-known health system that offers excellent educational and research opportunities. Counted among the best CRNA schools in Minnesota, the school is also the oldest CRNA school in the nation, producing competent nurse anesthetists since 1889. Over all these years, the school has continuously refined its nurse anesthesia program to stay relevant with the most up-to-date practices in anesthesia care.

Program Overview: Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science’s DNAP-CRNA is a 39-month program that takes in 30 students in each cohort. The program mainly includes didactic courses, on-campus clinical training, and off-campus clinical rotations. The program is rigorous and requires at least 60 hours of time commitment per week. In total, you’ll complete around 87 credit hours to earn your DNAP degree.

In the first year of the program, you’ll learn concepts in research methods, clinical observation, evidence-based practice, organizational & systems leadership, health policy, and healthcare informatics. Additionally, you also take courses in clinical anatomy, pharmacology, and advanced health assessment.

The second year of this terminal nursing degree entails taking courses in the fundamentals of anesthesia, medical physiology, obstetric, pediatric & geriatric anesthesia. The program also includes courses in anesthesia crisis resource management and neurosciences.

During the third year of this CRNA program in Minnesota, you’ll obtain proficiency in topics such as cardiac, vascular & thoracic anesthesia, and regional anesthesia.

In the final few months of the fourth year, you’ll mainly spend time, completing your DNP project and preparing for your CRNA certification exam.

Admission Requirements: Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science CRNA program’s admission process is highly competitive. To be considered for admission, you must have an accredited BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0. The program also requires you to have completed at least two years of work experience in critical care nursing. You must also have an active and unencumbered RN license. To complete the application process, you must submit your transcripts, a personal goal statement, and two references. To enhance your odds of admission, it is also preferred that you have nurse anesthesia shadowing experience.

Must-Know Highlights For Potential Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science CRNA Students

• The Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science CRNA program offers excellent resources and learning opportunities. Being one of the top hospitals in the nation, students have access to plenty of resources.
• Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science maintains strong partnerships with industry experts to equip CRNA students with the most current marketable skills and knowledge.
• Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science's CRNA program is ranked among the best in the nation as per the U.S. News & World Report.
• Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science's CRNA program offers plenty of clinical experiences. In addition to the clinical training that is offered off-campus, students complete several clinical experiences on the school’s campus itself. The convenience not only helps in saving commute time but also opens up networking opportunities with students from other health disciplines.

2. Minneapolis School of Anesthesia - Shoreview

Programs Offered: DNP

About the School: Minneapolis School of Anesthesia is one of the sought-after CRNA schools in Minnesota that prepares graduates to work in a variety of healthcare settings. The school provides rigorous training to potential CRNA students who become highly skilled certified nurse anesthetists. Further, the school has a robust alumni network that serves as an effective platform for professional networking and connections.

Program Overview: Minneapolis School of Anesthesia’s DNP-CRNA program equips you with the highest level of clinical skills to transform healthcare. The doctoral program prepares the registered nurse for a career as a certified nurse anesthetist. This certified registered nurse anesthetist program in Minnesota is a combined offering of the Minneapolis School of Anesthesia and Metropolitan State University. The 36-month program requires completing 78 credits. To earn your CRNA degree, you’ll learn about biostatistical analysis, anatomy for nursing anesthesia, leadership in healthcare systems, principles of anesthesia, and physiology & pathophysiology. Additionally, you also complete clinical practicum courses in nursing anesthesia.

Admission Requirements: To qualify for Minneapolis School of Anesthesia’s DNP-CRNA program, you must have a BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Also, your RN license must be valid and unencumbered in the U.S. The program also requires you to have a valid BLS, ACLS, and PALS certification. To fulfill the admission requirements, you must submit your personal statement and your transcripts.

Must-Know Highlights For Potential Minneapolis School of Anesthesia CRNA Students

• Minneapolis School of Anesthesia CRNA students enjoy the benefit of practicing clinical skills in several partner hospitals where a total of more than 100,000 surgical procedures are performed. Students gain ample clinical experience in various specialty areas.
• Minneapolis School of Anesthesia’s CRNA Students report a high pass rate on the CRNA certification exam.
• Minneapolis School of Anesthesia’s CRNA program offers a collaborative learning environment, where interprofessional learning is integrated into every aspect of the CRNA curriculum.

3. University of Minnesota - Minneapolis

Programs Offered: DNP

About the School: By entering the CRNA workforce, not only will you become part of a rewarding field but you’ll also be an in-demand member of the healthcare team. University of Minnesota prepares you for this promising career with the most relevant and up-to-date skillset. Besides, being one of the top recipients of funding from the NIH, the school offers a conducive environment for innovative research and discovery. As a CRNA student, you’ll be able to participate in several research projects and gain valuable clinical insights.

Program Overview: University of Minnesota’s DNP-CRNA program equips you with the highest level of clinical skills in nursing anesthesia. This CRNA program in Minnesota consists of nursing anesthesia core, DNP core, and clinical experiences. The nurse anesthesia coursework covers topics such as holistic health assessment, advanced clinical physiology, pharmacology, basic & advanced principles for nurse anesthesia, and nurse anesthesia care for patients within several specialties. The core DNP courses teach you about nursing ethics & values, statistics, the science of intervention, leadership theory, nursing research, and evidence-based practice. The program also includes concepts in epidemiology, the economics of healthcare, and teaching & learning. Towards the end of the program, you’ll require completing a DNP project.

Admission Requirements: As one of the best CRNA schools in Minnesota, admission into the University of Minnesota CRNA’s program is highly competitive. It is preferred that you apply early as per the prescribed application requirements. To qualify for admission, you must have an accredited BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0. To fulfill the admission requirements, you must be prepared to submit a resume, your transcripts, and a personal goal statement.

Must-Know Highlights For Potential University of Minnesota CRNA Students

• The University of Minnesota CRNA students study in small-sized classes that allow personalized attention and close interaction with faculty and peers.
• The University of Minnesota CRNA students benefit from a wide range of clinical training not only in various nursing specialties but also in rural and urban healthcare settings.
• University of Minnesota's CRNA program ranks among the best in the nation as per the U.S. News & World Report.
• The University of Minnesota is one of the first universities to offer a doctorate in nursing anesthesia.

4. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota - Winona

Programs Offered: DNP

About the School: Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is one of the reputable CRNA schools in Minnesota that prepares you in a Catholic environment. Here, every student is groomed intellectually, spiritually, and emotionally. Founded in 1912, the school has ever since been producing high-quality healthcare professionals who have a solid grounding in liberal arts.

Program Overview: Saint Mary’s University makes you a proficient nurse anesthetist within three years of full-time study. The program consists of four main components; DNP core, nursing anesthesia core, clinical experiences, and DNP project. To graduate, you’ll require completing 85 credits.

The program educates you on various topics including, human physiology & pathophysiology, health assessment & clinical reasoning, and advanced pharmacology. Additionally, the program also covers topics such as healthcare system leadership, healthcare policy, finance & business management, and health informatics & technology.

Admission Requirements: Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota’s CRNA program admission requirements include a BSN degree with a minimum GPA of 2.75. This certified registered nurse anesthetist program in Minnesota also requires you to have an active and unencumbered RN license in Minnesota. Besides, you must have at least one year of work experience in critical care. To complete the admission requirements, you are required to submit your official transcripts, a resume, a personal statement, and two references.

Must-Know Highlights For Potential Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota CRNA Students

• The Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota CRNA students, consistently over the past few years have passed the CRNA certification exam with 100% pass rates.
• The Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota CRNA students are satisfied with their educational experience and therefore the CRNA program reports a very low attrition rate.
• Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota’s CRNA program offers 35 plus clinical site options where students practice skills in a variety of settings including small clinics to prominent hospitals.


VIEW OUR RANKING METHODOLOGY

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the Total Number of Accredited CRNA Schools in Minnesota?

As per the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), currently there are 4 accredited CRNA schools in Minnesota that offer a total of 5 Nurse Anesthesia programs.





Popular Related Articles