[californianurse]

Hi there,

I was just accepted to Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth, TX. I'll spend my first year there and then I will move to Colton, CA to do my clinicals at Arrowhead Regional beginning the summer of 2009.

Just wondering if any of you could give me a glimpse of what it's like working there as a CRNA (or even as a SRNA). I went to their website, and they look like they're well known for their burn unit. I didn't see any CT surgery there. Did I miss it? Anyway, it looks like a beautiful hospital from the photos I've seen.

I live in San Diego, and so I'll try and take a trip up there before I move off to Texas this summer.

I really appreciate your input.

Californianurse

[Qwiigley]

I did not go to Texan Wes, but I had some clinicals with their students. For the cardiac and L&D, Children rotations, you will go the same places as the Cal State Fullerton/Kaiser students. We share some sites as well as lecturers, usually by telecommunication. While in school, you will go to many of the same professional meetings also. We all get along and share knowledge with each other. There is no competition, we all are in the same boat.
I currently work with a Tex WEs grad. I love her and she does really good work.
Tex Wes accepts a lot of students. They have a high attrition (fail) rate. Some classes as high as 50% That said, work hard. Study hard. It is so worth it. When your friends are saying they didnt study or they are going out at night, don't do the same. It is hard. You will no longer have a social life, no movies, no time for the gym. It becomes such a all consuming adventure that when you take your boards, and go home, you will have such a hard time knowing what to do with yourself. Movies are difficult to go to as you feel like you could be doing so much more.
I promise you this. If you complete t his task, you will never regret the things you had to give up to accomplish it. If you have a spouse, you will learn just how dedicated he/she is to your success. Not all will pass the test. Good Luck.

[californianurse]

Thanks Quigly. I know that you went to the Kaiser school, because I've read some of your postings. You have a lot of sound knowledge. Wesleyan has a high attrition rate? When I went there to interview, I had to watch a 30 minute DVD before meeting with the interview panel. In the DVD, they stated that the fail/incomplete rate for their school was less than 5%, and that mostly it was due to personal issues. You are right in that they accept a lot of students, something around 150 I think. So 5% is 7.5 students, which I don't think is all that bad. But, maybe I'm not seeing the whole picture. Someone else in another thread mentioned that Wesleyan has a high attrition rate, but I didn't think that they try to fail you. I thought that would be against the schools' best interest. They won't get paid for the students they fail and it makes their numbers look bad. When my boyfriend was in med school at UCSD, he said that it's really hard to get in, but once you're in, they really try to help you pass for those two reasons I listed above. But maybe I'm wrong. A high attrition rate scares me.

I know that I'll have to give up my life as I know it, and my boyfriend is well aware. He's an ED resident at a hospital in Dallas, and is extremely supportive of my schooling. He is more than understanding about call schedules and commitment to coursework.

Also, I've heard that TX Wes puts out great CRNAs from their program, and it's nice to hear that you love your TWU grad whom you work with. Did your co-worker like the program?

Thank you again for your input. I really value your thoughts. You are so balanced and realistic.

[Qwiigley]

Thank you.
My peer liked her school a lot. She met some really wonderful people. She was at Arrowhead for most of her clinical experience. We discussed this. A flaw in her opinion with TW was that they went to so few clinical sites. The flaw, in my opinion with Kaiser is that they go to WAY too many sites. Every month (30 days) in the Kaiser program, you change sites. Once you figure out where everything is, your preceptor has decided that you aren't a complete idiot and will give you an ounce of freedom, poof! you are off to the next site. Rather frustrating and difficult to find a comfortable pattern. The good part is that you learn so many completely different ways to do anesthesia. Some good, some bad.
My friend's complaint is that she learned only a few ways/ to one way to do certain cases.
That's where being open and asking your peer's opinions help. You will see that I like to ask opinion of other CRNAs on this site how they do certain cases or techniques. It is best to keep learning all of the time. Precepting students is great for us because you students bring the newest studies with you and we learn there also.
Your boyfriend could be a good asset for you. He is busy with his own education and most likely will understand your dedication to studies, etc.
I can only say what I have seen in the last 5 years at TW as per their attrition rate. All schools are evolving. There are years where instructors change, develop and programs expand. Each year is different. Be assured that the school produces fine CRNAs. You will be well educated and prepared to take on the best cases when you are done. Only worry about yourself and not others. If you are dedicated, you will not fail. Good Luck.

[californianurse]

[quote=Qwiigley;2633116} Only worry about yourself and not others.[/QUOTE]

Thank you! I often forget this.