3 Best CRNA Schools in Virginia – 2025


Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org

It takes a special nurse to become a Certified Nurse Anesthetist in Virginia. You must be an RN who thinks critically, is a keen observer, can stay calm in crises, and has the manual coordination to learn how to do intubations and deep line placements. Sound like you? Then enrolling in one of the CRNA programs in Virginia could be an excellent career move. As a CRNA in the Old Dominion State, you’ll stabilize patients during surgical operations and control their pain. You’ll earn $215,530 a year, and your employment opportunities will increase by 14 percent within 10 years. Everything you need to know about the 3 best CRNA schools in Virginia for 2025 is below.



RECOMMENDED ONLINE NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS

WHAT ARE THE BEST CRNA SCHOOLS IN VIRGINIA (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025?

(Based on our ranking methodology, the following are the 3 Best Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Programs in Virginia (Online & Campus).)

1. Old Dominion University - Norfolk


Programs Offered: DNP


About the School: If you are keen on enrolling in one of the best CRNA schools in Virginia, then Old Dominion University should certainly be high on your shortlist. The school not only provides high-quality CRNA education but also offers competitive tuition costs. With more than 50 years of nursing education, Old Dominion has trained many nursing professionals who serve patients across the nation.

Program Overview: Old Dominion University’s DNP-CRNA program is a full-time program that requires the completion of 96 credits. The first semester of the program requires you to complete DNP core and nurse anesthesia-related courses. During the three years of your study, you’ll learn about applied chemistry & physics, advanced physiology, physical assessment, pharmacology, and pathophysiology. The program also covers topics such as advocacy & health care public policy, leadership & interprofessional practice in healthcare, informatics & healthcare technology, and basic & advanced anesthesia principles. Additionally, the program also includes a nurse anesthesia practicum and a capstone.


Admission Requirements: To apply for Old Dominion University’s CRNA program, you must foremost have an accredited BSN with a GPA of at least 3.0. This CRNA program in Virginia also requires you to submit documents in terms of three references, a goal statement, a current resume, and all your official transcripts. The program also requires that you have at least one year of critical care work experience.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Old Dominion University CRNA Students

• Old Dominion University CRNA program is small-sized with barely 15 to 20 students. With personalized attention, students gain high-quality anesthesia education and accomplish their academic and professional goals.
• Old Dominion University CRNA program is taught by expert faculty members who play leadership roles in national and state anesthesia associations. CRNA students are encouraged to participate in anesthesia meetings and events held in other states.
• Old Dominion University CRNA program offers exceptional clinical training opportunities. With clinical sites including hospitals, delivery rooms, surgical centers, dentists, military, pain management services, and many more, CRNA students are well-prepared to work in a variety of healthcare settings.
• Old Dominion University CRNA program boasts consistently high rates on the CRNA exam. Further, the program also takes pride in its low attrition rate and excellent placement rate.


2. Virginia Commonwealth University - Richmond


Programs Offered: DNAP (Entry-To-Practice) and Post-Master's DNAP


About the School: Virginia Commonwealth University, one of the well-known CRNA schools in Virginia, has been leading nursing anesthesia in the state. An interprofessional environment that enrolls students from diverse cultures, the school was the first in the nation to offer a master's in nursing anesthesia way back in 1979. Here, based on your previous education, you can enroll either in the DNAP Entry to Practice or the post-master’s DNAP program.

DNAP (Entry-To-Practice) Program Overview: Virginia Commonwealth University’s DNAP program is a practice-oriented doctorate that prepares you to become a certified nurse anesthetist. Starting with two semesters of online study, the program allows you to continue working in the beginning.

The 93-credit coursework spans nine semesters of full-time study. While the first three semesters are mainly didactic, the clinical training starts from the fourth semester onwards. The clinical training component requires you to practice anesthesia skills at the simulation lab and affiliate clinical sites.

The DNAP Entry to Practice coursework covers topics such as health services delivery systems, advanced physiology, advanced pathophysiology, ethics & healthcare, policy & practice for nurse anesthetists, nurse anesthesia leadership, advanced health assessment, and evidence-based decision-making. The program also includes research methods and the principles of nurse anesthesia practice. Toward the end of the program, you must complete an anesthesia doctoral project.


Post-Master's DNAP Program Overview: Virginia Commonwealth University’s post-master’s DNAP program is a 33-credit program that is designed for full-time working nurse anesthetists. The program comes with full-time and part-time schedule options.

The program requires you to take classes in health services delivery systems, ethics & health care, policy & practice for nurse anesthetists, nurse anesthesia leadership, and research methods. Toward the end of the program, you must complete a doctoral project. This certified registered nurse anesthetist program in Virginia builds on your CRNA education and experience and prepares you with the highest level of clinical skills.


Admission Requirements: To qualify for the post-masters program, you must have an MSN and active CRNA license. To apply for the DNAP entry to practice, you must have an accredited BSN with a GPA of at least 3.0. Further, your RN license must be active and unencumbered.

To complete the other admission requirements, you must submit letters of recommendation, a resume, an essay, and all your official transcripts.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Virginia Commonwealth University CRNA Students

• Virginia Commonwealth University CRNA program has earned the proud distinction of ranking #1 in the nation, consistently for the past few years, as per the U.S. News & World Report.
• Virginia Commonwealth University CRNA program students gain ample practice in the school’s 3000 square feet state-of-art simulation lab.
• Virginia Commonwealth University is classified as a high research activity institution by the Carnegie Foundation. Therefore CRNA students will be able to participate in a range of research projects in the field of nursing anesthesia.


3. Mary Baldwin University - Fishersville


Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP


About the School: Another of our featured CRNA schools in Virginia is Mary Baldwin University. An interprofessional approach and a conducive learning environment make this school a great option for CRNA students in Virginia. With an extensive community network, the school has built meaningful partnerships with industry leaders. Further, students are provided with networking opportunities by participating in professional organizations at the state as well as national levels.

Program Overview: Mary Baldwin University’s BSN to DNP program is an excellent opportunity for BSN-prepared registered nurses aspiring to become nurse anesthetists. The program includes didactic courses, simulation training, and clinical experiences to prepare you as a full-service provider. Emphasizing evidence-based care, advanced scientific nursing knowledge, and leadership, the program spans three years of full-time study.

This CRNA program in Virginia comprises 105 credits. The coursework is offered in a hybrid format. The curriculum mainly includes courses in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pathophysiology, and nursing anesthesia principles and concepts. Further, students also require completing clinical rotations in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, outpatient clinics, and pain management centers.


Admission Requirements: To be considered for Mary Baldwin University CRNA program, you must first, have an active RN license in Virginia or the state you intend to practice in. Further, your BSN degree must be from an accredited college and your GPA must be at least 3.0. Additionally, you must be prepared to submit your resume, a personal statement, official transcripts, and three letters of recommendation. Besides, to qualify, you must have at least one year of work experience in critical care.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Mary Baldwin University CRNA Students

• Mary Baldwin University CRNA program reports a very high retention rate. This indicates that the students who enroll are satisfied with the overall educational experience the program offers. Moreover, after graduation, students are desired by local employers. The high placement outcome is a result of the excellent employable training students obtain.
• Mary Baldwin University CRNA program is taught by acclaimed faculty members who are highly respected in the nursing anesthesia field.
• Mary Baldwin University CRNA program offers several financial aid opportunities to make your CRNA education rather affordable.


VIEW OUR RANKING METHODOLOGY


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


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

As per the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), currently there are 2 accredited CRNA schools in Virginia that offer a total of 4 Nurse Anesthesia programs.

Program Type #
MSNA0
DNAP3
Post-Master's Certificate 0
DNAP Completion 1
Total4



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