Best CRNA Schools in Florida in 2023 (Online & On-Campus)

Attend one of the best CRNA schools in Florida and get started towards enjoying a career that the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates has an expected 31 percent job growth rate. The U.S. expects to add more than 64,000 jobs through 2026 in the nurse anesthetist career field that has a ‘much faster than average’ job growth rate. The national average CRNA salary for a fully qualified and experienced nurse anesthetist is about $169,450.

The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) reports that Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) administer more than 45,000 anesthetics to patients every year across the United States. Some CRNA graduates prefer to work in hospitals or other large medical facilities, while others prefer to work in rural communities, where CRNAs are often the primary providers of anesthesia care.

Currently, there are several colleges and universities that offer CRNA schools in Florida. Make sure that a particular program and licensure meets requirements that allow you to enjoy a CRNA career in Florida or in any other state where you wish to enjoy a CRNA career.

It is the responsibility of each prospective student to make sure that they understand the total costs of the CRNA schools in Florida. The listed tuition rate includes only the tuition and not course or program fees, textbooks, lab fees or other costs typically associated with the cost of pursuing an educational program at a college or university.

New Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Requirements

Some colleges and universities have statements on their websites indicating that there is an upcoming required CRNA change for prospective students. The COA indicates that “The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) requires that all students matriculating into a nurse anesthesia educational program on January 1, 2022, or thereafter be enrolled in a program approved by the COA to award a practice doctoral degree.”

This new requirement does not make it more difficult for individuals considering the best CRNA schools in Florida. Learning about changes now potentially makes obtaining your CRNA an easier process. Knowing about the upcoming changes allows prospective students and applicants to plan their program and curriculum in advance, making sure that they meet all requirements after the change takes effect. So how do you become a CRNA?

These Florida CRNA programs will help you meet your goals and help guide you on your path towards experiencing a rewarding career in this field with rapid job growth.

1. Florida Gulf Coast University – MSN to DNP – Nurse Anesthesiology

Florida Gulf Coast University offers students that already have their Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesiology, and that are current CRNAs the opportunity to pursue the MSN to DNP – Nurse Anesthesiology degree. 
Students in this program complete 37 credit hours of study over six semesters or 24 months of part-time study. Students must meet specific program progression requirements including sufficient clinical practice and a DNP project requirement, along with graduation requirements.

Develop an advanced level of knowledge and the skills necessary for leaders in nurse anesthesiology, including skills that meet the demands of an ever-increasingly complex health care system. Influence health care policy and health care outcomes with the MSN to DNP – Nurse Anesthesiology degree.

• Tuition: approx. $2,240.28 per semester
• NCE (National Certification Examination) first time pass rate: 93%
• Graduation rate: approx. 89%
• Accreditation: Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA)

2. Florida International University – Nurse Anesthetist Practice

The Florida International University, Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences offers the Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia (DNP-NA) program. 

Receive your degree with full-time study after just nine consecutive semesters, gaining 21st-century nurse anesthesia skills. Participate in classroom instruction, clinical experiences, and patient simulation experiences. Students receive instruction through innovative educational and training opportunities in all aspects of anesthesia care, through the university’s internationally recognized virtual hospital. The virtual hospital provides students with access to innovative technologies, medical and anesthesia equipment, and access to four simulated operating rooms.
The flat-rate tuition at Florida International University includes per semester tuition fees, along with the cost of textbooks and supplies.

• Tuition: approx. $8,819.11 per semester
• NCE first time pass rate: 87.5%
• Graduation rate: 97.5%
• Accreditation: COA

3. Florida Gulf Coast University – BSN to DNP – Nurse Anesthesiology

Florida Gulf Coast University provides BSN to DNP – Nurse Anesthesiology program students the opportunity to gain the advanced nursing knowledge and clinical skills necessary for high-quality and safe nurse anesthesiology care. The program prepares graduates for the advanced leadership skills necessary as a nurse anesthetist.

Learn the skills for providing evidence-based nursing across diverse settings and health care systems, along with the knowledge and skills required for improving the quality and safety of patient care delivery.
The program consists of nine semesters of full-time study and 112 credit hours.

• Tuition: approx. $3,777.80 per semester
• NCE first time pass rate: 100%
• Graduation rate: 89%
• Accreditation: COA

4. University of Pittsburgh – MSN to DNP Nurse Anesthesia online

The University of Pittsburgh online MSN to DNP Nurse Anesthesia program allows busy students the opportunity to complete a Doctor of Nursing Practice – Nursing Anesthesia degree in an online format. Applicants are current CRNAs that currently hold a Master’s degree.

The 36-month program of study prepares graduates for the highest level of clinical nursing practice, with a focus on specialty and core coursework. The program curriculum focuses on evidence-based practice, improving patient population and health outcomes, organizational and systems leadership, along with other requirements. Students complete a DNP project prior to graduation.

• Tuition: $13,394 per semester
• NCE first time pass rate: 97.7%
• Graduation rate: 97.5%
• Accreditation: COA

5. Florida State University – Panama City Campus – Nurse Anesthesia

The Nurse Anesthesiology program offered by Florida State University – Panama City features a program of 28-months of study, with students focusing on patient care before, during, and after various surgical procedures.

Students begin clinical instruction during their first semester, with one day each week devoted to clinical instruction at a variety of affiliated clinical locations. Students spend the other four days attending intensive didactic instruction on-campus.

The school strives to deliver a program focused on the advancement of scientific education and application of clinical education and practice.

• Tuition: $9,500.44 per semester
• NCE first time pass rate: 82%
• Graduation rate: 100%
• Accreditation: COA

6. Augusta University – DNP – Nursing Anesthesia

Augusta University, located in Augusta, Georgia, offers a hybrid Doctor of Nursing Practice – Nursing Anesthesia degree for students that prefer completing some courses online.  

The program consists of nine semesters or 113 credit hours of full-time study. The DNP – Nursing Anesthesia program includes didactic and clinical instruction, along with simulation lab experiences. Students will learn to administer sedation, regional, and general anesthesia to adult and pediatric patients.

• Tuition: $9,000 per semester
• NCE first time pass rate: 81.33%
• Graduation rate: 100%
• Accreditation: COA

7. Advent Health University – Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP)

Advent Health University offers the DNAP degree for students wishing to practice as a nurse anesthetist. A new cohort of students begins the 36-month continuous program of study each year.

Students participate in didactic and clinical assignments, with clinical opportunities potentially available throughout the hospital system of Central Florida. Students will participate in simulation labs. The program provides students the opportunity for learning sonography-guided invasive lines, and regional block insertion.

• Tuition: approx. $2,722.22 per semester
• NCE first time pass rate: 84.2%
• Graduation rate: approx. 88%
• Accreditation: COA

8. University of North Florida – Doctor of Nursing Practice, Nurse Anesthetist

The University of North Florida Doctor of Nursing Practice, Nurse Anesthetist program features a rigorous academic and clinical undertaking. Students attend the program for nine semesters of full-time study. 
Clinical sites for the program include both civilian and military facilities within the state of Florida. Students participate in classroom and clinical forums, along with training in a simulation environment.

• Tuition: approx. $6,644.56 per semester
• NCE first time pass rate: 80%
• Graduation rate: 93%
• Accreditation: COA

9. University of South Florida – Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia

The University of South Florida began phasing out its Master’s level Nursing Anesthesia program and admitting students to the DNAP program in the summer 2019 session.

The university offers the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Nurse Anesthesia, which provides a fully integrated learning environment, including a state-of-the-art simulation experience. The school teamed up with the Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation to provide the simulation experience, integrating the simulation experience into the program curriculum. 

Master’s of Nursing Anesthesia students attended for 72 credit hours. Students in the DNAP program complete 94 credit hours. The University of South Florida indicates that Master’s degree-prepared CRNAs will be grandfathered into the program.

The program incorporates a variety of technologies that prepare students for becoming competent, proficient CRNAs. There is an additional opportunity for individuals that wish to further their anesthesia education. The university offers a Simulation-based Academic Fellowship in Advanced Pain Management for current CRNA providers.

• Tuition: approx. $9,600 per semester
• NCE first time pass rate: 80.4%
• Graduation rate: 97%
• Accreditation: COA

10. Keiser University – Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia

Students enrolling in the Keiser University Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia (MSNA) program are currently registered nurses that hold a bachelor’s degree and want to further their career by becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). The MSNA program at Keiser University requires that students complete 72-credit hours over the 28-month CRNA program.

The first part of the program consists of the Didactic Stage, which lasts for 12 months. This stage provides the foundation for Nurse Anesthesia and establishes the knowledge required for students to enter the clinical stage of the CRNA program.

The intensive study of the first 12 months prepares students for the 16-month clinical stage. Students receive an assignment to one of the two Florida core clinical sites, along with potential clinical experiences at more than 20 other facilities.

Experience the full scope of anesthesia practice at Keiser University. Learn about the different types of anesthesia and important skills such as administrating anesthesia and monitoring patients. The program at Keiser University prepares graduates to sit for the National Certification Exam (NCE).

Graduates of the program become eligible to continue their education by enrolling in the Keiser University Post-Master’s Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice completion degree program. Keiser University understands the need for nurse anesthetists that further their education by completing the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice Program. Experienced CRNAs complete the DNAP program in 24 months. The school plans to admit the first cohort of students in August 2020.

• Tuition: $8,924 per semester, except first semester, which is $7,424
• NCE first time pass rate: 81%
• Graduation rate: 89%
• Accreditation: Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA)

11. Barry University – Post-Baccalaureate Doctor of Nursing Practice in Anesthesiology

Barry University recently admitted its last class of Master’s level students into its CRNA program, in anticipation of the required changes announced by the COA. The new program is the Post-Baccalaureate Doctor of Nursing Practice in Anesthesiology. Applications for the May 2020 term opened on April 1, 2019, for students interested in pursuing a CRNA under the new program.

There are both an intensive didactic component and an intensive clinical component, which are offered at several premier health facilities throughout the state of Florida. This intensive program is 36-months long, a sequential and continuous program with no semester breaks.

Learn through face-to-face lectures, self-study, group projects, synchronous web seminars, and case discussions. Learn from nurse anesthesiologists, physician anesthesiologists, and surgeons as you delve into the rigorous format of this program.

Barry University prepares Post-Baccalaureate DNP in Anesthesiology program graduates to sit for the NCE, as well as become eligible for licensure in Florida or the state where the graduate plans to practice. The graduate attains the professional credentials of both Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) and Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP).

• Tuition: $10,850 per semester
• NCE first time pass rate: 86%
• Graduation rate: 80.3%
• Accreditation: COA

12. University of Miami – BSN to DNP Nurse Anesthesia Track

The BSN to DNP Nurse Anesthesia program at the University of Miami is a three-year program, consisting of nine semesters of full-time study. The program prepares students for positions of leadership, integrating superior clinical and didactic learning opportunities. The program features advanced simulation experiences at the University of Miami SONHS Simulation Hospital.

Students prepare for a career as expert clinicians and advocate for change in health care systems as they progress through the nurse anesthesia program, which features peri-operative care, critical care medicine, and pain management in patient care. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCE and obtain the CRNA credential.

• Tuition: $14,667 per semester
• NCE first time pass rate: 73%
• Graduation rate: 91%
• Accreditation: COA 

Ranking Methodology

We selected each school and nurse anesthetist program by assigning an individual score for criteria that included tuition, first-time NCE pass rate, and graduation rate. We do our best to be honest, fair, and accurate in our representation of each school by gathering the specific information directly from each individual school.

We do not permit any school to pay us for higher rankings. Any supported school is listed separately and clearly labeled as SPONSORED.

Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee current tuition rates or other current information because tuition and other data sometimes change. It is the prospective student’s responsibility to check tuition rates and other information for each school.

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