CRNA Programs in California

If you are a Registered Nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, you may be thinking about continuing education to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).

CRNA Certification in California

To apply for a CRNA certificate in California, applicants must have completed an accredited CRNA program. After graduation, they must pass the examination administered by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists.

California CRNA Registry

California Board of Registered Nursing

1747 North Market Boulevard, suite 150

Sacramento, CA 95834

CRNA Jobs and Salary in California

CRNAs are employed in some doctor’s and dentist’s offices and at most hospitals, such as the following:

Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda

USC University Hospital, Los Angeles

Mercy Southwest Hospital, Bakersfield

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles

University Medical Center, Fresno

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2020 data, the annual mean wage of nurse anesthetists in California is $ 205,360.*

(Based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary)

CRNA Programs in California

There are four programs in the state, and each one has its own specific prerequisites leading to a Master of Science Nurse Anesthesia degree.

Cal State University Fullerton

Kaiser Permanente School of

Anesthesia (Kaiser CRNA)

Department of Nursing

100 South Los Robles, Suite 550

Pasadena, CA 91188

This 24 month program begins in September. Candidates are required to have a California RN license, a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Nursing, one year of current adult critical care experience, and a 3.2 GPA. The GRE is not required for this program.

Samuel Merritt College

Nurse Anesthetist Program

School of Nursing – Providence

Pavilion

3100 Summit Street, 3rd Floor

Oakland, CA 94609

This CRNA program takes 27 months to complete, and classes begin every September. A BSN is preferred, and candidates must be a licensed RN in the state. Two to three years of critical care experience is preferred, but candidates with one year’s experience are considered. A GPA of 3.4 and GRE score of 1000 or higher are required.

University of Southern California (USC)

Program of Nurse Anesthesia

Department of Anesthesiology

Keck School of Medicine

1540 Alcazar Street

CHP #223

Los Angeles, CA 90089

This CRNA program takes 24 months of full time study and begins each August.  A Bachelor’s Degree and current RN licensure are required. Although most candidates have almost four years of critical experience as an RN, those with one year’s experience are considered. A GPA of 3.0 and GRE score of 1000 are required.

Loma Linda University

School of Nursing

West Hall

11262 Campus Street

Loma Linda, CA 92350

Candidates must have a BS in nursing and RN licensure in California before their clinical courses. One year of experience in critical care and a GPA of 3.0 are required. The GRE is not required for admission to the program. Shadowing a CRNA for eight hours before an admission interview and three recommendation letters are required.

*Source: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291151.htm#(2) date visited 25 March 2022