[ICUdropout]

Thanks for your opinion. You are right about taking the US News & World Report rankings with a grain of salt. Westminster isn't on the list, because it hasn't graduated any CRNAs yet. (most of the rankings come from evaluating new grad performance)

I wish you the best of luck, it sounds like you have put a lot of thought into you decision.

I bet the alternate that just got in because you dropped out is very glad you did.

[beedog13]

ICUDROPOUT,
The methodology used by US News & World Report actually has nothing to do with performance of graduates in healthcare fields (including all MSN's--it is possible that the methodolgy used to evaulate/rank other grad schools may factor in the success/perceived success of graduates. Here s a link to the methodology: http://www.usnews.com/articles/educa...thodology.html
Cheers,
Bryan

[beedog13]

ICUDROPOUT,
That may have been a bad link sorry--here it is:
http://www.usnews.com/articles/educa...thodology.html

Bryan

[ICUdropout]

"Nursing specialty rankings are based solely on ratings by educators at peer schools. Nursing educators nominated up to 10 schools for excellence in each area."

These surveys were issues in 2006, prior to Westminster having a program. or at least in full operation.

One of the reasons I am excited to attend Westminster is to be one of the first and have the ability to shape tradition and blaze trails in establishing a new program. This can be a good or bad thing, just depends on how you look at it. different strokes for different folks. I am happy to be doign what i am doing.

I wish you all the best at UC

[beedog13]

ICUdropout,
Dude, again, not necessarily dissing on Westminster--as I said I could have very easily ended up starting there Fall '08 and would have taken on the same mindset of accepting a challenge/helping to make a name for a newer program (10% what happens to you, 90% what you make of it etc.).

For the good of the order and to serve to purpose of these forums it is important to disseminate information to help others in their decision making processes (these forums were extremely helpful to me):
1) I did not take the distribution date of the surveys into consideration--very good point--apologies.
2) Westminster was not accredited until early 2007 so they were not in the mix.
3) The reason for identifying the methodology used by US News & World Report is to illustrate for the readers of these forums that the rankings have a place in one's decision concerning where to apply/attend any grad school. Only one of many factors, but not quite one to ignore either. Considering there are something like 95-100 CRNA programs alive and kicking, at least we have a way to compare and contrast the strengths/weaknesses of all programs.
3) USN&WR is peer-reviewed--that presents the popularity contest issue that I previously mentioned--my wife is a law student and I watched her go through the same process with applications etc. Some schools have started abstaining from the surveys as a sort of protest movement.
4) More to consider:

• There are no other CRNA programs in Utah
• 35% of these programs are located in the South
• 30% are located in the East
• 25% are located in the Midwest
• 5% are located in the Plains/Mountain states
• 5% are located in the West

5) Like I said, if you want some more info about Sugarhouse, travel assignments/hospitals in SLC etc., PM me. Plus I know one of your Fall '08 classmates, one guy in the first year of the second class, and 2 who are almost done there--would be happy to dial you in if you have any questions about what to expect.
Good luck,
Bryan

[ICUdropout]

The rankings are kind of like the Coaches Poll in college football, everyone voting has their own agenda.