MORGANTOWN, W. Va. — The majority of the second cohort of West Virginia University School of Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Nurse Anesthetist graduates will remain in West Virginia to provide care close to home.
Of the 15 graduates, eight of them have taken positions in West Virginia. Two graduates will work in Virginia, and one each in Arizona, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Maine. The graduates will take their National Certification Examination (NCE) to officially become Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) in the coming weeks.
The graduates, who were recognized during a ceremony Aug. 9 at Touchdown Terrace, include Kayleigh Brink, Katherine Brown, Kristen Calebaugh, Jared Copeland, Scott Fankhauser, Brittany Hall, Chris Justice, Sandrela Magnuson, Ashlyn McClelland, Jessica Mitchell, Layla Newbrough, Hannah Pino, Ben Tillis, Ashley White and Chris Woods.
“The WVU Nurse Anesthetist program Class of 2024 was the first group to take on the challenge of a nine-semester program, so they had as much to do as our first graduating class but with one less semester to do it,” said Dr. Aaron Ostrowski, DNP Nurse Anesthetist Program Director. “I am excited to see their board results come in over the next few weeks, so I can enjoy working with them as colleagues.”
The Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) workforce, which includes nurse anesthetists, is expected to grow by 38% through 2032, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook. The report says more than 29,000 new APRNs will be needed every year through 2032 to meet the demand for primary and specialty care.
“Graduates from our Nurse Anesthetist program are helping to meet the demand for expert care in West Virginia and beyond,” said Dr. Tara Hulsey, Dean and E. Jane Martin Endowed Professor. “This program is a true asset for the WVU School of Nursing in meeting our land-grant mission, and in providing our students with the education and skills necessary to obtain a rewarding and in-demand career.”
Applicants must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from a nationally accredited nursing program, among other GPA and certification requirements. The full-time program requires 88 credits over three years or nine continuous semesters.
DNP Nurse Anesthetist students can expect a rigorous curriculum based in sciences including anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, chemistry and physics. Upon completion of the program, graduates will earn a DNP degree and be eligible to sit for the NCE. Upon passage of the NCE, graduates will become CRNAs.
To learn more, visit the DNP Nurse Anesthetist program page or contact Recruitment Specialist Phillip Engelkemier at phillip.engelkemier@hsc.wvu.edu.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Wendy Holdren
Director of Communications and Marketing
WVU School of Nursing
304-923-3591; wendy.holdren@hsc.wvu.edu