What are important factors to consider when choosing clinical rotation sites?

Nursing Students SRNA

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I have about 1.5 more years until I start applying to CRNA schools. I'm noticing some of the schools I'm going to apply to have multiple clinical rotation sites where they let students choose which they prefer to be assigned. Can someone please explain to me what are some important factors that I should take into consideration which choosing clinical rotation sites? for example, would I want a higher # of average cases per student? Or would something like facility A allowing central line, swan ganz, open heart experience outweigh the other facility with more # of cases without those types of experiences?

I've not heard of the students picking their own clinical sites or rotations for a CRNA program before. There is a certain number of all different procedures required to sit for boards when you graduate so any accredited program should have sites picked for you that guarantee you get these requirements.

Now as far as personal preference, that may be different. I have some classmates that prefer large university research hospitals with ACT models, catered lunches, morning huddles, free specialty coffee, etc. In those locations, they take the trade off of always having an MDA around and 10 anesthesia residents, lack of autonomy, for the bizarre research cases and severe traumas they get to see. While my program gives us no choice in our preference if they did some classmates would choose to spend more of their rotation time in that setting.

Other classmates really don't like that setting at all and really enjoy the independence and autonomy of our CRNA only practice rotations with a smaller team of CRNAs in a rural setting. They like that they are the only anesthesia providers around for 50 miles and anything that has to be done will be done by them, complete autonomy. There aren't usually massive traumas or research cases but they still have serious enough cases to keep them engaged. None of the fancy perks of the larger university medical centers but they don't care about that, they buy their own Starbucks on the way into clinical.

Then there will be a bunch of level two trauma centers with 400 beds that will fall somewhere in between those type of experiences. Not to mention some outpatient center rotations with a different workflow entirely.

Your program should provide you with all these experiences before graduation, you will be required to have a certain number of central lines, etc to take boards so maybe they are just giving you the option to spend more time in a practice setting you prefer. That would be a nice perk if your program structured their clinicals around what your practice setting preference was.

Specializes in CRNA.

Some programs do allow you to select some of your rotation sites. Many factors to consider-practice style (all CRNA, ACT, etc), typical types of cases/procedures, stability of program/site relationship (long term bodes well), other learners at the site, potential future practice site, your out of pocket cost of travel and housing, etc. You should try to get rounded experience while a student, so that could mean going to an ACT practice even though you plan to practice in an all CRNA group, and vise versa. This is the time to be a fly on the wall and soak it all in.

Hey bolt, I've watched a few of your videos before. Funny to see you on AN commenting on my thread haha. Anyway, thanks for the replies. Look up Texas Wesleyan University's CRNA program. They have like 10+ clinical locations in like 4 different states or something which the students can choose. However, preference is given to the students who ranked hire in the admission's process.

This is the first time I've heard of ACT. What exactly does that stand for?

Hey bolt, I've watched a few of your videos before. Funny to see you on AN commenting on my thread haha. Anyway, thanks for the replies. Look up Texas Wesleyan University's CRNA program. They have like 10+ clinical locations in like 4 different states or something which the students can choose. However, preference is given to the students who ranked hire in the admission's process.

This is the first time I've heard of ACT. What exactly does that stand for?

Well, small world, and now that you mention Texas Weslyn I do understand your question. Their program is a little unconventional but I've heard good things. With 4 different states, it sounds like you'll have a wide range of clinical sites to choose from.

ACT stands for Anesthesia Care Team. It's the care team model that consists of one anesthesiologist and 4 CRNAs working together as a team. This actually translates to the anesthesiologist hanging out in the break room drinking coffee "supervising" while the 4 CRNAs are running different surgical suites delivering anesthesia. This model of care is used to satisfy TEFRA laws from 1982 so medicare would reimburse for anesthesia services. I don't know exact numbers but I believe it's around half the anesthesia provided in the USA is done via ACT models.

Specializes in MICU.

Hey brother,

I actually have a couple of buddies from my unit that are starting at TWU this August. From what they have told you, they let you choose your top 3 clinical sites since there are many throughout the US. Nothing is guaranteed but at least they try and work with you lol. I will be applying this August. Anyone else applying this year as well?

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