integrated course load

What is an integrated course load?

I'm in an integrated program and believe it has to be easier than a front-loaed program. It just makes sense, that learning material over two years would be easier than learning it over one year.

I've just started my second year and in retrospect, the first year was tough, but it wasn't completely killer like I was expecting.

I will be starting an integrated program in May. I think this will work better for me than front-loaded because I am a hands-on learner. I know people in front-loaded programs and after hearing their horror stories, I'm glad to be going to an integrated program. Fon't get me wrong, I would not have turned down a CRNA school because it was front loaded, but I did specifically look for schools that were integrated.

I totally agree that an integrated program enhances knowledge, and makes learning easier so that when Boards roll around, one is able to have a better understanding of anesthesia in general. I wouldn't want to be in a front loaded program, then go take my boards, and have to review EVERYTHING I learned a year ago. I would also hope that an integrated program would help SRNA's to be better anesthetists. Someone should do a study on this though.

From one perspective, it may be easier to concentrate one's efforts on total classwork at the beginning, but are students able to recall material learned when it's all thrown together in one year? I don't know about anyone else, but I suspect most SRNA's and CRNA's learn by actually doing because that is what nurse anesthesia is all about. An integrated program is just what it says. You integrate what you learn in the classroom into the clinical setting. How do you combine knowledge you learned one year ago as well in a front based program?


My question is does an integrated program require more time than a front loaded program or is it the other way around? Are you having classes, and then going off to the hospital to do a case? Do you have adequate time to prepare for your cases in an integrated program? Not having enough time to prepare is one my fears about going into an integrated program. Any insights?

David

Integrated programs allow hands on reinforcement of material learned in the classroom in my opinion. I think it is hard to learn the ins and outs of isoflurane for instance if you have never turned on the purple gas. My program statrted clinicals after the 2nd week and while we really wern't responsible for much execpt for general anesthesia considerations and the specific pt diseases, we did get to put into practice what we were learning in Phys, Pharm, Anatomy and Anesthesia for Dummies. I wouldn't rule out a front loaded program but I'm glad I found myself an integrated one. Classwork and clinical were pretty much on seperate days although, once in a while you would find yourself doing an afternoon shift after classes ended or doing journal club after leaving clinical. Teaches flexibility also I guess.

I am in the final stretch of a front-loaded program and I have a best friend who is attending an integrated program. I chose my school for location, not for format. In the end I believe that it all equals out. I think what is important is how you learn best. One of my concerns with an integrated program is was how could I give anesthesia when I would not even have pharmacology until the third semester, but still be responsible for giving drugs! My program has two semesters of classes before going into clinical but then we have at least one class with clinicals for the next three semesters (so in a way it is part of both formats). My classmates and I wondered if we would remember what we learned the first two semesters when clinical came around. We found that once we got started, things just came to us, that all the studying was there somewhere and we were able to bring it forth. I don't believe that one program format is necessarily better than the other when it comes to taking boards. Some integrated programs end classes after the first year, so they too must review for boards. Seriously, is there a program out there where you do not have to review for boards, integrated or front-loaded? As for developing "better" anesthetists, each program format does this well. By giving it your most, it is usually the individual that determines his/her own ability to give anesthesia and be the best CRNA that they can be.