FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
At the time of application, a minimum of one (1) year experience (two preferred) as a registered nurse in Adult or Pediatric Critical Care within the last three (3) years. Neonatal Intensive Care Unit experience is not accepted. Critical care experience must be obtained within the United States, its territories, or a U.S. military hospital outside of the United States. Examples of Adult or Pediatric Critical Care units may include but are not limited to: Surgical Intensive Care, Cardiothoracic Intensive Care, Coronary Intensive Care, and Medical Intensive Care. Those who have experiences in other areas may be considered provided they can demonstrate competence with managing unstable patients, invasive monitoring, ventilators, and critical care pharmacology.
Satisfactory performance (50th percentile preferred) on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is required for applicants who earned a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of less than 3.4 on a 4.0 scale in all undergraduate degrees. Students holding a master's degree in any field are not required to take the GRE.
The first 2 semesters are spent completing DNP core course requirements. Clinical rotations begin in the Fall of the first year. When clinical rotations begin, students have didactic classes during the day when not in clinical and may have a Villanova DNP core course in the evening 1 day a week, if a student did not elect to take the available core courses, beforehand. This makes for a busy schedule. Some weeks students might have 2-3 anesthesia exams, papers, presentations, lectures, and other projects. Clinical rotations are 2 days per week in November with classes held the other 3 days. By June of the second year, clinical rotations are 4 days per week and class is one day per week. Students begin clinical rotations with basic cases, focusing on learning and implementing the basics of a proper room setup, anesthesia machine and equipment checks, and developing an anesthetic plan of care. The DNP project courses begin in the Spring of the second year and continue until the Summer of the third year, when students will focus on board preparation. Students eventually master the art of time management and find a balance for themselves between school, clinical, and personal life.
We strongly discourage students from working after clinical rotations begin. The average weekly time commitment may be 60 hours or greater per week.
The deposit is nonrefundable. It is used to support the educational and administrative costs of the track.
Other cost payable by student:
Payable to Villanova University*:
• $3,000 non-refundable seat deposit upon acceptance into the Nurse Anesthesia track.
• Technology Fee (variable)
Miscellaneous Costs paid by Student (approximate):
• AANA Membership: $300
• SEE exams at $280/exam (minimum of two exams)
• NCE fee (paid to NBCRNA upon registration for exam): $1,100
• Textbooks: $1,500 (Students may purchase textbooks from the vendor of their choice)
PARKING: Students will be required to purchase a Villanova parking permit.
*Subject to change at the discretion of Villanova University administration
Clinical rotations begin in November of the first year. Students will gain exposure to different facilities, providers, patient populations, and anesthesia techniques. The variation in clinical sites and broad exposure to clinical experiences is frequently cited as a major strength of the program.
No, we currently only accept applicants with a BSN degree to the Nurse Anesthesia track.
We interview approximately 50 to 60 qualified applicants for 36 seats in the Cohort.
Yes, our students are expected to attend one professional meeting each year.
We have a high-fidelity patient simulator with anesthesia machines and state-of-the-art anesthesia related equipment.
100% employment after certification.
Information on need-based financial aid and loan programs is available HERE.