If you live in the state of North Carolina and have considered working towards earning your certification as a registered nurse anesthetist, there are several in-state schooling options you can look into. The schools offering CRNA programs in North Carolina are: Carolinas Medical Center located in Charlotte, Duke University located in Durham, East Carolina University located in Greenville, the University of North Carolina located in Raleigh, Wake Forest School of Medicine located in Winston-Salem, and Western Carolina University located in Asheville.
With all of these options, it may be difficult to begin thinking about which schools you may be interested in applying to. This article will help explain some of the potential differences you may find between CRNA schools and will also provide some details about what it might be like to be a CRNA in North Carolina.
Comparing CRNA Schools and Programs
Below is a brief list of some of the many differences you may find between CRNA schooling options.
Length of Program
The length of a CRNA program will often depend on what type of degree is being offered- usually either a Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia or a Doctor of Nursing Practice. Most CRNA schools report that their programs are designed to be completed in anywhere from 24 to 36 months. This depends entirely upon each individual program.
Full-Time or Part-Time
CRNA programs are most commonly designed to be taken by full-time students. They often have a very full course load and a demanding classroom/clinical schedule which would make it difficult to participate part-time. There are some CRNA programs, however, that may have part-time options available so if this is something that interests you it is a good idea to look into the specific programs you are applying for to find out whether or not a part-time option is available.
Front-Loaded or Integrated
Another difference to consider is whether the course of study is front-loaded or integrated. Front-loaded programs complete the majority of the classroom work during the first portion of the program and then transition to clinical experience during the second portion. Integrated programs combine classroom and clinical work throughout the length of the entire program.
Start Month and Application Deadlines
The start month for incoming classes of CRNAs varies from school to school. Some start at the traditional beginning of the school year in either August or September, while others begin in January or January. The application deadline is often based on the start month. If one CRNA school has a particular application deadline it is not safe to assume that this will be the same for other schools. Be sure to keep track of the individual deadline for each school you may be interested in applying to.
On-Campus Only or Distance Options
Many CRNA schools expect their students to live on or near campus and be enrolled full-time. There are some CRNA programs, however, that have made distance learning an option for CRNA students. For some of these programs, there is a minimal time required on-campus and the rest of the program can be completed in another city or even another state. Distance learning options for CRNA training are not as common as they may be for other types of degrees, but they do exist.
While it may be helpful to use some of the above factors to narrow down your search for a CRNA school, application to CRNA school in North Carolina can be a competitive process and it may be beneficial to apply to multiple schools. Considering some of the above factors before application, however, will ensure that you are applying to schools which you know will be a good fit for you.
CRNA Jobs in North Carolina
In a January of 2024 survey released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it was found that the average salary for a CRNA working in North Carolina was $158,840 and that CRNA wages in North Carolina generally fell within the range of $145,020-$158,840 per year. Other states with similar wage ranges for CRNAs include Tennessee, Ohio, Illinois, and Alabama. One particular region of North Carolina was reported as one of the top ten paying metropolitan areas for CRNAs. The Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton area of North Carolina was ranked as fourth in the nation for top paying metro areas with an annual mean wage for CRNAs of $196,640.
CRNAs in North Carolina can work in rural as well as urban or metropolitan settings to provide anesthesia services and care. The city of Asheville in North Carolina has the fourth highest concentration of CRNA jobs in the country for all metropolitan areas. Western central North Carolina has the fourth highest concentration of CRNA jobs in the country for all nonmetropolitan areas. The state of North Carolina employs many CRNAs who serve very important roles to residents located both the metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas.
List of CRNA Schools in NC
Carolinas Medical Center Nurse Anesthesia Program
PO Box 328861
Charlotte, NC 28232
Duke University Nurse Anesthesia Program
3322 307 Trent Drive
Durham, NC 27710
East Carolina University College of Nursing Nurse Anesthesia Program
3112 Health Science Building
Greenville, NC 27858
Raleigh School of Nurse Anesthesia University of North Carolina at Greensboro
3900 Barrett Drive
Suite 200
Raleigh, NC 27609
Wake Forest Baptist Health/Wake Forest School of Medicine Nurse Anesthesia Program
Medical Center Blvd. Progressive Care BLDG, 3rd Floor
Winston-Salem, NC 27157
Western Carolina University Nurse Anesthesia Program
28 Schenck Parkway
Suite 300
Asheville, NC 28803