Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice program launching at University of Charleston in partnership with Charleston Area Medical Center

The University of Charleston is introducing a new program this fall. The Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice program will be available thanks to a partnership between the University of Charleston and Charleston Area Medical Center. 

According to an article on The University of Charleston’s website, Dave Ramsey, who serves as the president and CEO of Charleston Area Medical Center, said of the partnership, “CAMC has been a pioneer in educating nurses to become Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) for decades. Our approach to training programs has evolved as the education landscape has evolved. We already partner closely with UC on nursing, pharmacy, physician assistant, radiology, and other programs where we have critical staffing needs. We are excited to collaborate on the DNAP program with UC, a university that consistently prepares students to become certified practitioners.”

The University of Charleston’s Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia program page describes the program as one that “prepares students to become Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), licensed to administer anesthesia and other medications in surgical and other medical situations.” The program lasts for 36 months and will give students both ample classroom training and the opportunity to complete clinical rotations at CAMC General, CAMC Memorial, and CAMC Women and Children’s. Additionally, students will get more experience through on-campus resources like its Healthcare Simulation Center and Virtual Reality Lab, and at CAMC’s Center for Learning and Research. 

“UC is a leader in healthcare education. We offer a robust portfolio of programs to help address the state and region’s workforce needs. Each program integrates exceptional lab, simulation, and clinical experiences using state-of-the-art technology, and our students achieve exceptionally high pass rates on licensure exams. CAMC and UC share common goals to enhance the quality of life in West Virginia. Preparing the next generation of CRNAs by leveraging our combined education and medical expertise is a logical progression for both organizations,” said University of Charleston president Marty Roth.

Currently, Charleston Area Medical Center also has a partnership with Marshall University that offers a Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia program. That program will conclude in the Spring 2026 semester.

For more information about the University of Charleston, visit the school’s website.