Eastern carolina CRNA SCHOOL

ECU_CRNA2B · Jun 9, 2007

Strengths: class size each year 12 students, all clinicals at one location: Pitt County Memorial Hospital, the only level one trauma center east of I-95 in North Carolina ( you also go to it subsidary smaller community hospital for about 1 month and the ambulatory surgery center for about a month). As a level one trauma center PCMH offers great variety of cases. 3 classess have graduated with a 100% pass rate so far (some of those who graduated last month haven't taken boards yet...). Accredited by COA for 10years--the longest you can get.

Classes start in January of each year, you graduate in May 28 months later. The first year is 95% books (i.e: this is a front loaded program). You take 2 semesters of med pharm with med students (and this will kick your ass, but offers some good stuff), also take a gross anatomy with cadavers over the summer (this will consume your entire summer but has lots to offer as well). Also take physiology, organic chemistry, physics, anesthesia pharmacology, basic principles of anesthesia, etc. The second year is 95% clinicals (mon-thur 7a-3p; which actually works out to be 0530-1530/1600) and 2 hours of class each friday. You rotate thru some weekends and do some evenings.

If you like smaller class size and one clinical spot and front loaded program this is good. You must have the desire for self-driven education as the majority of the onus to understand and learn this material in the first year is wholly on you. If you are more the 'integrated learner' this isn't it. Down-sides are the same as the plus(es): small classes, so they will know your name, one facility for all your clinicals, etc.

Here's a link to check out the curriculum and such..

http://nursing.ecu.edu/msn_concentrations.htm#na

good luck.

spideyunit · Jun 9, 2007

thanks for getting back to me. all good info. ecu sound like a great school, and i'm getting more excited about it. i really like the front loaded style, and small class idea. what did you mean when you say the 'onus' (great gre word btw, i had to look it up) is all on you? isnt it always? i mean thats not to say there isnt support for you if needed? how have you found the classes to be? did you take any core classes beforehand? im not sure if i could do that being in a different state? (ohio) i suppose im getting way ahead of myself tho. 1st the interview. is there any tips/advice you could share on what to expect there? this is my 1st one so the idea of it is a bit nerve racking. thanks for all the info, it does help. ecu really sounds like a place i would like to be. whats the area like in general. is it a nice town, any outdoor stuff to do? i know its near the ocean.. well, again gettting ahead of myself. speaking of which i have a interview to prepare for!

thanks again.

spidey...

ECU_CRNA2B · Jun 10, 2007

First the onus thing (yeah, makes me feel all smart on the inside--ha ha). I think I let a little of my frustration creep in there...oops. the majority of the courses are great, however there are a few along the way that lack 'instruction' or 'teaching', hence, its up to you to read, learn, etc. moving on....

core courses. I took as many as possible and am damn happy I did. They are frankly a pain in the a** to take while trying to keep your brain in the anesthesia world and deal with clinicals and a complete lack of time. I would highly recommend it. To keep in mind though---if you MUST have fulltime financial aid, taking the core courses ahead of time means you'll have to take some independent study classes along the way to maintain 9credit hours (the program director is real cool about helping you with this). If you don't require fulltime-take the damn things for sure AND yes, you can, b/c they are all online, so you can take them on the computer from Ohio or Tibuctoo (?sp?):typing

To prep for the interview: know the answers ahead of time and practice saying them in front of a mirror--it avoids the "um, uh, well, " bit. Classic questions regardless of the school: 'why do you want to be a CRNA", "how have you prepared yourself (and your family) for this endevour", "why do you feel you are prepared to pursue a Master's education", will usually ask a question pertinent to your ICU experience ( IABP, bolts, etc). These are quesitons you usually already know the answers to, but you have to find a way to answer clear, concise, brief (to-the-point) without hesitation.

the town: very little hear considering the huge university and level one trauma center here, but its not like you'll have loads of free time to 'play'. Yes, the beach is 1-1.5 hours east, Raliegh/Durham/Cary are about 1-2 hours to the west (here you'll find EVERYTHING) you could want for the 28 months (large malls, airport, spiffy restaurants,etc)

Feel free to PM me as you get closer and if you have more questions....

japaho41 · Jun 10, 2007

About core classes- I would suggest that if you feel that your chemistry skills are sufficient then try to knock out a couple of the core courses prior to starting the program. You could take the classes at ECU because the classes are online. This will asure that the course will transfer without any problems.

Greenville, pretty much a large college town. I would hate to think what this place would be without the University and the hospital. I don't think that it is too exciting of a place but that is a good thing because that means there is little distractions while you are in school. The ocean is about 70 miles away.