MORGANTOWN, W. Va. – The WVU School of Nursing’s Doctor of Nursing Practice Nurse Anesthetist program has received the highest accreditation status available, a total of 10 years, by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs.
“Receiving accreditation at this level illustrates the quality of the curriculum, the dedication of our faculty, and the preparedness of our students after graduation,” said Dr. Tara Hulsey, Dean and E. Jane Martin Endowed Professor.
“Providing a pathway for students to become Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists is a tremendous asset for the WVU School of Nursing, and I am grateful our program director Dr. Aaron Ostrowski has made it possible,” Hulsey added.
Ostrowski built the program from the ground up at WVU starting in early 2017. Since then, two cohorts of 15 students have graduated and a third cohort will graduate in August. The first graduates received an 80% first-time pass rate, and the second cohort achieved an 87% first-time pass rate.
“We aspire to continue improving each year,” Ostrowski said. “Our accreditation status is a incredible achievement, but we still aim to continue refining the program each step of the way.”
The program was recognized this year by U.S. News and World Report as one of the top 2025 Best Graduate Schools, ranking No. 68 in the country.
DNP Nurse Anesthetist students can expect a rigorous curriculum based in sciences including anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, chemistry and physics. 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.
Upon completion of the program, graduates will earn a DNP degree and be eligible to sit for the National Certification Exam (NCE). Those who pass the NCE will become Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists or CRNAs. Ostrowski says CRNAs have strong career satisfaction and job security. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 40% growth in employment for CRNAs through 2033.
For more information about nursing programs at WVU, visit nursing.wvu.edu.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Wendy Holdren
Director of Communications and Marketing
WVU School of Nursing
304-581-1772; wendy.holdren@hsc.wvu.edu