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Keck School of Medicine of USC

Nurse Anesthesia Program

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Message from the Director

Our mission is to provide scholarly education and professional development for future nurse anesthetists with the academic strength and leadership skills to advance the nurse anesthesia profession.

Jeffrey R. Darna, PhD, DNP, CRNA, ACNP-BC, FAANA
Photo of Jeffrey R. Darna

The Program of Nurse Anesthesia

The USC Program of Nurse Anesthesia is a full-time, 36-month curriculum in nurse anesthesiology leading to the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) degree and board eligibility for the National Certification Exam. The USC Keck School of Medicine and Department of Anesthesiology administer the program. Expert academic and clinical faculty educate nurse anesthesia trainee in the planning, administration, and evaluation of anesthesia and pain management across the lifespan and perioperative continuum. The program provides a diverse and rigorous clinical experience supported by academic coursework and leadership development.

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Degree Information and Performance Metrics

The USC Keck School of Medicine confers the DNAP degree upon program completion. Graduates can take the National Certification Exam (NCE) administered by the National Board of Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA). Graduates may obtain state licensure as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) after completing the NCE.

The program’s application cycle begins July 1st and closes on August 31st. Applicants must submit all documents by August 31st to qualify for an interview. Candidate interviews occur in November, and a new cohort matriculates every May.

The programs will host an information session on April 8th, 2025, 5 pm-6:30 pm PST and July 15th, 2025 at 5 pm-6:30 pm PST. The sessions may be remote through Zoom.

Please RSVP to loida@usc.edu

Program Video

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The USC Program of Nurse Anesthesia is accredited through Spring 2033 by the Council on Accreditation (COA) of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs. The university holds regional accreditation through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Please reference the university website for accreditation information.

Program Details

The Program of Nurse Anesthesia at USC is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs

Curriculum Overview

The USC Program of Nurse Anesthesia is a full-time, 36-month curriculum. Students must complete 81 units for the DNAP degree conferral and board certification eligibility. The first semester (summer) is hybrid (a blend of remote and in-person learning).

Clinical Affiliation Sites

The USC Program of Nurse Anesthesia operates multiple primary and enhanced clinical education sites, including Keck Hospital of USC, the Los Angeles General Medical Center, and Cedars Sinai Medical Center. Nurse anesthesia trainees are assigned to specialty clinical rotations within the Los Angeles County region.

Financial Aid

USC and the Keck School of Medicine of USC support and guide students through the financial aid process.

Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs

Address: 10275 W. Higgin Rd., Suite 906
Rosemont, IL 60018-5603
Phone: (224) 275-9130
Email: accreditation@coacrna.org
Website: http://coacrna.org

Performance Outcomes (June 2024)

100%

NCE First Time Pass Rate

0%

Attrition Rate (Class of 2024)

100%

Employment Within Six Months

Enrollment Data (Summer 2024)

64

Total applications

24

Entering class

3.58

Mean cumulative GPA

3.30

Mean years of critical care nursing

Program Director

Photo of Jeffrey R. Darna
Director, Program of Nurse Anesthesia

Jeffrey R. Darna, PhD, DNP, CRNA, ACNP-BC, FAANA