School of Anesthesia
School of Anesthesia in La Crosse
The Franciscan Healthcare School of Anesthesia, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UWL) Biology Department and Viterbo University School of Nursing have partnered to develop a program to meet the specific needs of the nurse anesthetist student during their doctoral education.
The School of Anesthesia operates within the Mayo Clinic Health System campus in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Students are taught in a didactic and clinical setting over three years of full-time consecutive study.
Upon successful completion of the program, students will have earned:
- A Master of Science in Biology from UWL (30 credits)
- A Certificate of Completion from the School of Anesthesia (26 credits)
- A Doctor of Nursing Practice from Viterbo University (22 credits)
The Doctor of Nursing practice and clinical credits from the School of Anesthesia are required to sit for the national board certification exam to be licensed as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA).
Accreditation
The School of Anesthesia is accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA) of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education.
COA contact information:
- Mail: 10275 W. Higgins Road, Ste 906, Rosemont, IL 60018-5603
- Telephone: 224-275-9130
- Email: accreditation@coacrna.org
Standards and guidelines for educational programs may be found on the COA website.
The program's next scheduled accreditation onsite visit by the Council on Accreditation will be fall 2025.
Notice of advanced credit or transfer credits
The School of Anesthesia does not accept advanced standing or transfer credits for prior learning experiences, including, but not limited to, service in the armed forces, paid or unpaid employment, or any other demonstrated competency or learning.
The School of Anesthesia will not accept credits from technical colleges, universities or from prior nurse anesthesia educational programs because of the sequential nature of our course and ability to evaluate proficiency with current standards in CRNA educational programs.
Program statistics
Matriculation rates, success rates for first-time takers on the certification exam and employment rates are listed below and are published on the UW-La Crosse School of Anesthesia, and Viterbo University websites. These program statistics on or after 2021 are reflective of our Doctor in Nursing program. Prior to 2021, statistics are reflective of our Masters Science Biology program.
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
| Number of Graduates | 10 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 12 |
| Attrition Rate (%) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Certification Pass Rate (%) - first time takers | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Employment Rate (%) within six months of graduation | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
For more program information, contact:
Jessica Peterson, CRNA, program director
Franciscan Healthcare School of Anesthesia
700 West Ave. S.
La Crosse, WI 54601
608-392-8565
This information is reviewed and updated annually in February.