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Oklahoma CRNA Program?



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Jun 16, 2003 03:44 PM

Oklahoma CRNA Program?


Hello again. Been out of pocket for a while. As most or all of you may know Oklahoma does not have a CRNA program. I live in Oklahoma and desperately want a program implemented here. I know several other nurses who would also like to go to CRNA school, but cannot uproot their families and lives to do so. We have a few really good nursing schools here in Tulsa, along with a couple of good teaching hospitals. What's the hold-up on implementing a program here? The MSN programs here offer every specialty BUT CRNA. I'm frustrated and I would do anything I could to get one started here if I could. I talked to the director of a major Nursing program here in Tulsa, and she told me it was all about money. If anyone has any ideas, please tell me what I can do as a nurse who would like to someday attend CRNA school here in Tulsa. Thanks in advance for any input!

Angela


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20 Comments
No. 1
from smiling_ru
Old Jun 16, 2003, 04:11 PM

My understanding is that the anesthesiologists in Oklahoma are firmly opposed to a CRNA program there. So, without the backing of an anesthesia group (to get into the larger hospitals) you can not open a program. There may be more to it than just that, but I know that is one of the stumbling blocks and it is a big one.
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No. 2
from szoozoo
Old Jun 16, 2003, 04:30 PM

I live in Toledo, Ohio and we don't have a CRNA program either. I wish we would because moving will really hurt my family! At MCO they basically teach a lot of MSN programs but not Anesthesia! I have no idea why they did not start the CRNA program at MCO. People are leaving for Michigan because that is the closest location (Detroit)!!!
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No. 3
from EmeraldNYL
Old Jun 16, 2003, 05:27 PM

Come to Philly, there's lots of programs here (6 in the surrounding area I think). Not that that helps your problem any, I agree it really stinks if you have to uproot your whole family to attend school. I would contact the nursing schools in your area and tell them you would like to see a CRNA program, and tell all of your friends to do the same! Maybe start a petition?
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No. 4
from TexasCRNA
Old Jun 17, 2003, 02:33 AM

Not to rain on the parade, but I personally don't want a crna school popping up everywhere ( like NP programs)and I am glad the AANA board keeps a tight rein on how many schools there are at present.

This also makes the competition tough to get in ( and stay in) and ensures only the best become crnas.

I understand how some people don't want to move to go to school or start a new career, but how bad do you want it??

I know numerous people, including myself that have sold their homes, uprooted and moved their families half way around the US, lived in areas less than desirable, not have a pot to pee in, debt up to the gills and still thay find a way to go to a program and become a crna.

Now, I am not trying to blast anyone but to encourage you that if you really want to become a crna then move and do what you gotta do, then move back to your roots after the 24 or 27 months.
You gotta go get it and why waste years with shoulda, woulda, coulda.
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No. 5
from OKIE-DOKIE
Old Jun 17, 2003, 08:24 AM

Gowkout, I agree....I will definitely go wherever I need to go to get my CRNA education. However, I was simply stating that it would make my life and others' lives easier if they did have a program here in Oklahoma. That would save many people the headache and sacrifice of having to uproot in the first place. Why go through more than you have to?? CRNA school is hard enough without that added stress along with it. With the severe shortage of CRNAs (which will worsen in the future with the aging of the population), why would it be advisable to discourage any program from flourishing? There's only one type of person who can make it through CRNA school in the first place despite how many schools there are out there. Gowkout, I can understand your bitterniss about having to go through all of that sacrifice for your CRNA education. That is why I would like to see more programs in states that have few to none...so others won't be forced to sacrifice the way you have. It just makes sense.
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No. 6
from MICU RN
Old Jun 17, 2003, 09:13 AM

While I can understand wanting new programs in states that don't have any. I have to agree with LEE that the last thing we need is to over saturate the field and start too many schools like the NP programs have done. The more we keep the standards up and control the supply the better off we will be as crna's.
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No. 7
from loisane
Old Jun 17, 2003, 09:53 AM

If you will allow me to split hairs---------

The Council on Accrditation does not control the NUMBER of nurse anesthesia schools. It does set standards that all schools must meet, so that indirectly does limit the number of programs that exist to those who can meet those standards.

As a profession and a professional organization, we are still ENCOURAGING the development of new nurse anesthesia programs. All the current programs are pretty well maxed out for the number of graduates they can produce. And if we are going to continue to turn around the current shortage, we could probably use more programs.

Of course, there are multiple barriers to starting new programs. It takes money. It takes academic faculty, of which there is also a current shortage. It takes the ability to offer lots of varied clinical experience, which means a strong partnership with hospitals and their medical staff (ie MDAs).

Even established programs deal with conflicts surrounding these issues, so just imagine how difficult it is for a program just starting to balance all of this.

Of course, it can be done. It takes committment and leadership. To Okie-Dokie, what does the Oklahoma state nurse anesthetist association think about the lack of programs? It might be a question they have already explored, and they could be a source of information for you.

loisane crna
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No. 8
from KSCRNA
Old Jun 17, 2003, 02:37 PM

A number of Oklahoma students have gone to the Newman University Program in Wichita and had their families stay in Oklahoma.
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No. 9
from OKIE-DOKIE
Old Jun 17, 2003, 04:56 PM

Yes, it can be done. I'd just have to leave my husband behind. A lady at work put it well. She said "Husbands and wives who are in the Army, Navy, Air Force, etc. have to leave their spouses for months on end. Going off to CRNA school wouldn't be much different, so think of it like that!" That just told me that people leave their spouses for large periods of time all the time, so it can be done right?. I guess their marriages survive. How hard is it on a marriage? Can anyone tell me who has been through it (separated from their spouse for school)? I guess if I went to TCU they have a deal where you can be on campus for 1 semester (the first one in Fall) and the rest is done by teleconferencing, internet, etc. for the rest of the duration at a distant clinical site (I heard they have one here in Tulsa). During that first semester on campus my husband could probably drive out to Fort Worth (4 hours away) every 2 weekends and watch me study! HeeHee! I know it is definitely doable if I want it bad enough. I never meant to imply I wouldn't go through whatever I had to to get through CRNA school. I just wanted to see if there was a way I could make things easier. Why not, right? It couldn't hurt! Loisane, I actually wrote an e-mail to the Oklahoma Association of Nurse Anesthesia over the last weekend describing the situation and how I would like to do whatever I can do to help get a program initiated here. I haven't heard back from them, yet. I'm sure they are fully aware that there is not a program here in Oklahoma and that there needs to be one, without me having to e-mail them and tell them. I just wanted them to realize that there is, in fact, an interest in a CRNA program here and that I'm willing to help out and do whatever I can do to get one here. One part of their mission statement is "To promote the practice of nurse anesthesia through development of educational programs." I hope they can somehow help. Thank you all for the great advice. I have found this discussion board to be a great source of knowledge, wisdom, and support. I appreciate all of you! Thanks!

Angela
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