First DNP Nurse Anesthetist graduates pass certification exam, obtain employment
Dr. Angela Jeffries is guiding Layla Newbrough through the insertion of a femoral central venous catheter.
After graduating in December 2022, all 15 graduates in the first cohort of the DNP Nurse Anesthetist program have passed their National Certification Examination (NCE) and obtained employment.
Of the 15 graduates, six have remained in West Virginia, while three are now employed in Virginia, two in Pennsylvania, one in Maryland, one in South Carolina, one in Illinois, and one in Oklahoma.
“I couldn’t be more pleased with the first 15 graduates who took a chance on a new program. I can now call them colleagues, and they can call me ‘Aaron’,” said Dr. Aaron Ostrowski, director of the DNP Nurse Anesthetist program.
“I always viewed starting this program as the way to give back to the profession that has given me so much, by training excellent CRNAs (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists),” Ostrowski added.
Eighty percent of the graduates passed the NCE on their first attempt, which is the standard set by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).
“While we always strive for perfection, the 80% pass rate has met the standard for accreditation and I couldn’t be prouder of the 100% graduates who have now become certified,” Ostrowski said.
Ostrowski noted the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic for the first graduating cohort, but commended Dr. Mike Frame, former assistant director of the program, for his ability to pivot to remote learning while necessary.
“I can’t thank Dr. Frame enough for his knowledge, energy, technical expertise, and organizational skills as this program’s first assistant administrator,” Ostrowski said.
For someone considering the program, Kenton Schrock, one of the December 2022 graduates, spoke highly of the “powerhouse of faculty members,” who offer the resources, tools and support for success.
“I can’t thank all the faculty members enough,” Schrock said. “This really and truly is a life changing opportunity with the education they’ve provided.”
The first graduating class had a modified progression plan due to the timing of the initial accreditation of the program; therefore, the next graduating class will be Summer 2024 and each subsequent graduating class will celebrate commencement in the summer semester.
“The DNP Nurse Anesthetist program is a tremendous asset for the WVU School of Nursing and for the state of West Virginia, as our graduates will meet the need for highly skilled healthcare providers,” said Dr. Tara Hulsey, Dean and E. Jane Martin Endowed Professor. “I am grateful for Dr. Ostrowski’s leadership in launching the program and for the first students who have paved the way for our next cohorts.”
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CONTACT: Wendy Holdren
Director of Communications and Marketing
WVU School of Nursing
304-581-1772; wendy.holdren@hsc.wvu.edu