western pennsylvania schools

I am not an SRNA yet, but I start this fall in Richmond, VA. I am from the Latrobe, however, so I thought I'd offer up what I know. They are both excellent schools, as reported by some CRNAs I know in that area. The Pitt program offers a MSN and is university program. The Westmoreland-Latrobe program offers a Masters in Sciences (I think?) and is a hospital program. I intereviewed and was accepted to the Univ. of Pitts. program, and I cannot say enough good things about the faculty, especially the director, John O'Donnell. I decided to move to Richmond instead of start school there for purely personal reasons, and it was a really tough decision to decide not to go to Pitt. I also met the director (maybe former director- it was a long time ago) of the Westmoreland-Latrobe program when I was in nursing school and looking for some advice as to what I should be doing to get on the "anesthesia track."-- he was also extremely helpful, friendly, etc.

The only comparison I have been told (when I was looking for schools initially) from a CRNA, is that she felt that CRNAs from both schools are both quite good, but her personal opinion was that in working with both, Pitt's CRNA were overall better prepared initially out of school. I'm not sure of clinical sites for the Westmoreland-Latrobe program, but I'm certain Pitt's are top of the line and probably hard to compete with. I worked at Presby in Pittsburgh and I think hands down, they get the sickest of the sickest and most complicated patients in the area, plus lots of transplants, etc. Good luck applying.

Cardio Thoracic ICU- what a nut house... but i loved it. Are you still there?

Jedav,
We probably missed each other because I graduated in '99. I worked almost a full year on 12D before i transferred to CTICU. I was there until January '02 and then I moved to Richmond. I am now working at the Medical College of VA (properly called Virginia Commonwealth University Health System I think, according to them, but we all still call it "mcv."). I moved to VA for one big reason: I wanted to leave PA-- purely personal, wanted to live w/ current boyfriend, etc, etc. plus I have some family down here and have always LOVED the weather by comparison to Pittsburgh. Not that the weather in Pittsburgh isn't truly lovely.

Oh, and I knew there is a good CRNA program down here, so that was part of my decision to come to Richmond too.

I acutally went to Gannon U. in Erie for my undergrad. Hershey Medical Center is said to be awesome- was it a great experience? Hey- I don't know if you are a football fan, but a Pittsburgh person posted a "how about those Steelers" thread in the off-topic section. Lots of Steelers love floating around there. I didn't watch the game myself, but like you said, it cool to have that "hometown" link w/ others. There've got to be a few other yankees like us around here (that's how i get referred to "down" here).

I'm glad to have met you- give me a shout if I can offer any advice/ suggestions on anesthesia school... by the time you apply i might have a little experience to offer up.