Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Admission Requirements

A Special Invitation To Learn More About SMU's CRNA Program

You are warmly invited to an evening program to learn more about Samuel Merritt University's Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) program. CRNAs are responsible for the administration and management of virtually all specialty surgery categories and common invasive monitoring modalities for the full range of patient age and acuity levels.

For more information, please visit the event page.

CRNA Applications for Fall 2011

The late deadline for submitting an application to the CRNA program for fall 2011 is May 15, 2011.  The GRE must be taken and the score must be available when you submit your application and all prerequisites if not complete when you submit your application, must be completed by the end of summer.  At this time, late applications will be considered for waitlist position only.  Applications are available on the SMU website, click here.

Application Deadline

The postmark application deadline for CRNA applications is December 1st. Applications may begin to be filed beginning two months prior to the application deadline. After the deadline, applications may be accepted on a space available basis. Contact the Office of Admission for further information once the deadline has passed.

CRNA ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Applications may be accepted after the deadline date on a space available basis. Check with the Office of Admission. Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• A baccalaureate in nursing from a nationally accredited program. RNs with baccalaureate degrees in other fields will be evaluated individually and additional course work may be required.
• Current California licensure as a registered nurse.
• Official transcripts of all previous academic and professional coursework completed or in progress prior to admission.
• Evidence of experience in clinical practice as a registered nurse with a minimum of one year of intensive care unit experience at the time of interview required; the Program conducts admission interviews yearly in the early spring. Two to three years of critical care nursing experience is preferable. Practice areas that are considered critical care are: surgical intensive care (including trauma, post-cardiovascular surgery and neurosurgical specialty units), medical intensive care (coronary care, pulmonary care, and other medical sub-specialty units), and pediatric and neonatal intensive care units.
• Minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0
• Minimum last 60 semester or 90 quarter unit GPA of 3.4 or higher
• Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores of 1000 or higher (competitive is an 1100).
  
  *The revised GRE will launch on August 1, 2011.  If you need test scores prior to November 2011, please take the current GRE before August 1, 2011.  Please remember that GRE results must be available by the application deadline.
  
• TOEFL (U.S. citizens or international students) - The need for TOEFL will be assessed based on information provided by applicants on the application for admission, if required, a score of 250 must be achieved and official score results must be provided.
• Current ACLS and PALS certification. CCRN strongly recommended.
• Successful completion of college chemistry, with content to include inorganic, organic and/or biochemistry (6 - 8 semester units total) prior to enrollment. Organic and biochemistry need not be separate courses.
• Successful completion of a course in statistics.
• Introductory physics is highly recommended.
• Completion of a 1-2 day clinical shadowing experience with a CRNA or physician anesthesiologist.
• A written goal statement that clearly articulates academic and career goals as well as an understanding of the CRNA role and profession at large.
• A minimum of three letters of recommendation are required. Two letters must be from individuals who can readily assess current levels of clinical expertise. The third letter of recommendation may also address clinical expertise or may speak to academic preparedness for graduate study.

• Not all qualified candidates may be interviewed and not all interviewed candidates will be accepted. Selection of candidates for interview will be based on criteria listed above, quality and presentation of application material, quality and professionalism of communication with the program during the application process and an informed understanding about the role of a CRNA.
• Faculty reserves the right to interview and accept qualified students at any time after the college priority application deadline of December 1st.
• The applicant may substitute the GRE with successful performance scores on the MCAT.

• Copies of all college transcripts (please include legends if available)
• $50 non-refundable fee
• Completed goal statement
• Letters of reference
• Copy of RN license