Updated June 2026 · 11 min read
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Virginia is anchored by one of the oldest and most established nurse anesthesia programs in the country, plus a strong coastal option in Hampton Roads. Here's how the Virginia programs compare and how an ICU nurse in Richmond, Norfolk, or Northern Virginia builds a competitive application.
| Program | Degree | Length | Est. Tuition | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) | DNAP | 36 months | ~$60,000–$95,000 | Richmond |
| Old Dominion University (ODU) | DNP | 36 months | ~$55,000–$80,000 | Norfolk / Virginia Beach |
Both Virginia programs are doctoral-entry. The Council on Accreditation phased out master's-level CRNA entry on January 1, 2025, so every accredited program now awards a DNP or DNAP. Tuition ranges shown are estimates of total program cost and vary with residency status and cohort year — confirm current figures directly with each school. With only two in-state programs, most competitive Virginia applicants also apply to programs in nearby North Carolina, Tennessee, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.
VCU's Department of Nurse Anesthesia is one of the most established in the nation, with a long history and a strong national reputation. The program is based at VCU Medical Center, a Level I trauma center in downtown Richmond that gives students extraordinary case volume and acuity. VCU's DNAP is well known to recruiters across the mid-Atlantic, and its size and academic resources make it the flagship Virginia option. Admission is competitive — strong CCRN credentials and high-acuity ICU experience are effectively expected.
ODU's DNP nurse anesthesia program serves the Hampton Roads region, home to a dense cluster of hospitals and one of the largest military medical communities in the country. Clinical placements draw on Sentara's regional health system and other Tidewater sites. For nurses already living in southeastern Virginia, ODU offers a route to CRNA without relocating, with public-university tuition that is competitive for state residents.
Where you build your critical care hours matters. Virginia offers several high-acuity systems ideal for CRNA candidacy:
| Hospital | Metro | Notable ICU Types |
|---|---|---|
| VCU Medical Center | Richmond | Level I Trauma, CVICU, Neuro ICU, burn ICU |
| Inova Fairfax Hospital | Northern Virginia | Level I Trauma, CVICU, transplant ICU |
| Sentara Norfolk General | Norfolk | Level I Trauma, CVICU, Neuro ICU |
| UVA Medical Center | Charlottesville | Level I Trauma, CVICU, SICU |
| Carilion Roanoke Memorial | Roanoke | Level I Trauma, MICU/SICU |
Programs want sustained adult critical care managing ventilated patients on vasoactive infusions with arterial and central lines. A CVICU or trauma SICU role at one of these systems is far stronger on a CRNA application than a step-down or community-hospital "ICU" that does not manage that acuity.
Working backward from a fall 2027 start: Virginia programs generally accept applications in the fall 2026 window, interview over the winter, and decide by spring 2027. Have your CCRN completed and ICU hours documented before applications open. With only two in-state options, apply to both plus two or three out-of-state programs so a single cycle does not hinge on one decision.
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