Dissapointed in Wolford College

[wolfordstudent]

I am a current WC student in full time clinicals.

I am very dissapointed in the way the program is run.

From a didactic point of view, they accept more than necessary and than the class is trimmed (30% drop rate). That's unfair to the students that shouldn't be here - they spend time and money pursuing something that is out of reach for them.

In clinicals, they have too many students in the OR's. More than 60% of rooms have two students all the time. (you are not getting the clinical exposure needed).

This crowding was my main concern before accepting their offer. I should have gone to any other school that accepted me (other schools accept 12 students/yr, and have 20 or more OR's) where student numbers are less than the available OR's.

The last 3 classes accepted have been between 36 and 43 students per class. ... and they accept 2 classes each year !

To top it off, as of today, half of their CRNA's have graduated in the past 18 months, and they cannot be the best instructors b/c they're not experienced enough.

In conclusion, I am very dissapointed with the program.

Good luck and don't forget: during the interview process, "smile and look cuddly, boys!".

[deepz]

So the program is four years old then? That's new.

You appear to be presuming unwarranted motivations of the COA.

http://www.aana.com/Credentialing.aspx?ucNavMenu_TSMenuTargetID=34&ucNavMenu_TSMenuTargetType=4&ucNavMenu_TSMenuID=6&id=954

[FlGasman]

so the program is four years old then? that's new.

you appear to be presuming unwarranted motivations of the coa.

http://www.aana.com/credentialing.aspx?ucnavmenu_tsmenutargetid=34&ucnavmenu_tsmenutargettype=4&ucnavmenu_tsmenuid=6&id=954

wolford college

nurse anesthesia program

4933 tamiami trail

suite 200

naples, fl 34103 program information

date of last review: 10/2004

next review date: 05/2008

degree(s): master of science

program length: 28 months

starting month(s): feb sep

thats a four year renewal. many of the other schools in fl are new so they have a minimum, but the established ones have more except for wolford. and i presume that they have concerns yes. also i have seen and heard things that concern me as a healthcare provider and for any student who attends wolford.

[crna2009]

from the college website "Wolford college was first founded in 2004. Prior to that it was known as the Norman R. Wolford School of Nurse Anesthesia and was associated with Florida Gulf Coast University. Since 2004, it has been a stand-alone independent college whose sole purpose is to train nurse anesthetists."

It was associated with FGCU and when it broke away to become Wolford College, they had to go through the accreditation process again as a new school. FlGasman you should know that since you attend FGCU. FYI, Wolford College just went through the review process and should hear in 2008 how long their accreditation will be. They are expecting 10yrs.

[FlGasman]

from the college website "Wolford college was first founded in 2004. Prior to that it was known as the Norman R. Wolford School of Nurse Anesthesia and was associated with Florida Gulf Coast University. Since 2004, it has been a stand-alone independent college whose sole purpose is to train nurse anesthetists."

It was associated with FGCU and when it broke away to become Wolford College, they had to go through the accreditation process again as a new school. FlGasman you should know that since you attend FGCU. FYI, Wolford College just went through the review process and should hear in 2008 how long their accreditation will be. They are expecting 10yrs.

Sorry, I didnt know that they had to start over as a new program in the accreditation eyes.

[mmbmoc]

I am very worried now! I applied to Wolford and was accepted. I do not start until October 2008. When I interviewed with the college they seemed very open to helping individuals through their classes. I felt more like a person then just a number to them. I hope that it i not as bad as described.

\When did you interview for the class of 08....do they interview as they receive applications or do they have dates?

[RNTOSRNA]

MB37, I am accepted to Wolford for this Feb. While in nursing school I worked as a surgical nurse tech and after checking into 10 schools and visiting each, these are my reasons for choosing Wolford College. It is front loaded, full scope of practice without long distance travel, no Medical students to compete with, I will be out of state due to no programs in my state so cost is lower than out of state tution, many university programs base courses are taught by other departments that are not geared towards anesth. thus more general which Wolford's are not, it has two classes a year so I would not have to wait as long to start ( I'm old and the clock is ticking), and having spent 2 years working and talking to over 20 CRNAs in surgery about many schools and seeing graduates from many schools I decided on Wolford. I could have been accepted into many schools with my qualifications. I do agree with the others that you make your own path and execute it, you and only you will determine how good a CRNA you will become, find the best fit and focus. Good luck

[WolfordCollegeJoke]

I can completely understand the frustration in Wolford College. Their clinical sites are all crowded. Multiple students in a single OR room. Students instructing students is not what a graduate program should consist of. Anyone who thinks this is acceptable should first realize they are not getting their moneys worth. As far as addressing it with the school, that is out of the question. They tell you in the very beginning to FLY UNDER THE RADAR! If you voice a complaint you are singled out as a complainer and you will be blackballed by the school faculty. It would be nice if the school actually did show support for the students and not threaten them or harrass them. As far as anyone thinking of attending Wolford, you should just call and talk to other CRNA schools in the the SE USA and ask what they think of Wolford, the school is not well respected by any means. Wolford College reputation speaks for itself.

[DVDICK]

I don't care who you are, more than 1 student at the head of the bed is less than ideal. It should be the exception, not the rule. I'd have never entered a program where the most important part (clinical) is so watered down. Personally, I find it surprising that so many of WC students logged on to counter a single opinion. Why so defensive if there's no substance to the post?

[freshgas]

I am a (very) recent graduate of Wolford. At times this experience was very trying. There were times that the head of the bed was crowded (especially when first starting clinical). There were many late nights studying and wondering if I would make it. There were times that extreme favoritism was expressed by the staff. There were times that it seemed as our goal in the program was to "walk on eggshells" or "fly under the radar" or simply not make anyone mad. There were times that I was so angry at administration that I thought I wouldn't make it another day. There were certain MDA's that routinely made people cry - you become numb to them after a while. There were some staff that would throw you under the bus at the drop of a hat. There was inconsistency in policy, tuition hikes, and numerous other things one could complain about.

There are, however, several things that I am very thankful about in regards to the school.

First and foremost, a good education. Last May's graduating class had a 98% first time pass rate (the other student passed on the second try). I have not yet taken the boards but feel confident that I will do well. The clinical experience more than meets the CCNA requirements (I stopped counting cases midway through my last semester as I had met all requirements and had well over 1000 cases). Yes, in the beginning there is often more than one student in a room, usually a senior and underclassman paired. There is also ample time, once you have demonstrated competence, of being alone in a room.

Second, there is a personal touch to the school. There are a few administrators who will gladly tutor any student who asks. They have worked with many students to help them through the program. There are clinical instructors, especially some of the MDA's, who have been a great influence diadacticly and personally.

Third, the schedule is easier to swallow than at most other schools. There is very little little travel (most clinical sites are in a 15 - 20 mile radius). There is a lot of vacation; between trimesters during the didactic portion, four or five weeks during the clinical portion, and education days.

Fourth, this isn't a university based program, so there are not mind-numbing classes about the influence of the feminist movement on post-modern nursing theory. Don't get me wrong, there is mind-numbing classes, mainly required by the Board, but these were handled well.

There are negative aspects to the school (believe me, I was there, "going postal" commonly entered my thoughts). There are positive aspects to the school. This is true of any and every school. Everybody hates care plans and case studies. Every school has didactic instructors that (seriously) need to be committed. You have to choose what is important to you. For me, it was getting to be with my family the entire program because I didn't have to travel to other cities and states as most other anesthesia schools do. That and being able to study on the beach.

In response to the comment about the bottom line being dollars and cents - Wolford is a private college, a money making venture, so of course the Benjamin's are important. That is why so many new schools are springing up, why universities are starting anesthesia departments - it's good, easy money at the student's expense. We were slaves just like medical residents.

In response to the comment about the school's reputation made by Wolfordcollegejoke, There are several schools in the area - all are competitors. Wolford says bad things about Tampa and FGCU, Barry talks bad about Wolford, etc. That's the nature of a business environment. I highly doubt that any school has any founded negative statements about Wolford.

Now back to studying for boards.

[FLCRNA2011]

I was wondering if you had an advice for someone about to enter into this program. I also wondered about the finiancial aid available? Did you have loans? Were they difficult to get? How much did you get? I am worried about relocating to tthe area when I do not have loans secured yet.

I also remember that they states that you only have class one day a wekk the first semester! How can you take 16 credits and only go to class one day a week?

Thanks for any information!

Good luck

[freshgas]

I'm not sure about only going to class one day a week - during my first semester I had to go 4 days. I know they have been doing a lot of recording of classes for viewing on their intranet. My advice is to get as much as you can out of the early classes. The stuff you learn there is very difficult, and then you leave it for more clinical information. You will, however, revisit this stuff when you take boards. There is a lot of basic chemistry and pharm that you will need to remember. And you haven't seen it for two years! Good luck!

[crna2009]

I was wondering if you had an advice for someone about to enter into this program. I also wondered about the finiancial aid available? Did you have loans? Were they difficult to get? How much did you get? I am worried about relocating to tthe area when I do not have loans secured yet.

I also remember that they states that you only have class one day a wekk the first semester! How can you take 16 credits and only go to class one day a week?

Thanks for any information!

Good luck

Federal loans are available with FAFSA, no difficulty.

We were in class 12 hrs. You'll find that in grad school, a lot of the time is self study time.