Program Vitals: a complete diagnostic for your CRNA program
An in-depth, third-party evaluation for deans and administrators of established nurse anesthesia programs. We analyze budget, staffing and accreditation readiness, so you know what the program needs, where you can save, and whether you can grow.
Three areas, one honest read of the program
Financial and budget analysis
True cost per graduate, faculty compensation benchmarking, where you can save without hurting outcomes, and whether tuition is priced right for your market.
Staffing, faculty and retention
Workload, the pay gap that pulls faculty toward clinical roles, recruitment and succession planning, so you keep the team the program depends on.
Accreditation, outcomes and growth
A gap analysis against the current COA standards (effective January 2026), NCE pass-rate and attrition benchmarking, and a clear answer on whether you can grow your class.
Is your program ready to grow?
Program Vitals tells you where you can save, whether tuition needs to change, and whether clinical capacity, faculty and finances can support a larger class.
The same five steps as every engagement
Step 1: Discovery
A free initial consultation about your program's context, goals and constraints.
Step 2: Comprehensive assessment
Financials, outcome data, faculty and clinical site capacity, curriculum and student support systems.
Step 3: Findings and recommendations
Prioritized recommendations, each tied to a standard, benchmark or piece of evidence.
Step 4: Implementation support
Included in every evaluation. We work with your faculty and administration to put the changes in place.
Step 5: Ongoing partnership
Check-ins, annual outcome reviews and support through your next accreditation cycle.
What you receive
Delivered by practicing, doctorally prepared CRNAs. The scorecard and report are yours to use internally, with your board, or in your next COA self-study.
- Board-ready scorecardA grade for each area of the program.
- Detailed written assessmentBenchmarked against the current COA standards and peer institutions.
- Financial and staffing analysisCost per graduate, tuition, compensation and faculty workload.
- Prioritized 12-month roadmapWhat to do first, and what can wait.
Three ways to engage
Remote diagnostic
A desk review of your financials, outcomes and documents, delivered as a scorecard plus a findings call.
Best forA fast, lower-cost read, or a first step- Flagship
Comprehensive onsite review
Everything in the remote diagnostic, plus a one- to two-day onsite visit, a mock COA site visit, the full report and a 12-month roadmap.
Best forPrograms facing an accreditation cycle, budget scrutiny or a leadership change Advisory retainer
Ongoing quarterly monitoring and support through the accreditation cycle.
Best forPrograms that want a standing outside partner who already knows them
Need an independent evaluator for an institutional program review instead? See external review.
Frequently asked questions
Can't find your answer? Email zach@synesthesiaedu.com.
- What does a typical engagement cost?
- Engagements are scoped to your program, from a focused audit to a multi-year partnership. Every engagement begins with a free consultation, and you receive a clear, fixed-scope proposal before any commitment.
- How long does a program assessment take?
- Typically 4 to 8 weeks from kickoff to final report, depending on program size and data availability. Focused audits can move faster.
- Do you work remotely or on-site?
- Both. Most assessment work happens remotely. Site visits, faculty workshops and accreditation preparation often benefit from on-site days. We tailor the mix to your program.
- Will the evaluation stay confidential?
- Yes. Findings are shared only with the leaders you designate. We work as a neutral outside party, and the scorecard and report are yours to use however you choose: internally, with your board, or in your next COA self-study.
- Who will actually do the work?
- The consultants on our About page: practicing, doctorally prepared CRNAs with experience in program leadership, curriculum development and COA accreditation. We don't subcontract your program to junior staff.
Know where your program stands
Tell us about your program and the decision in front of you. We'll recommend a format on a free call.