Arkansas State University (A-State) vs University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS)

[CVICUSQUEEZE]

I really could use input. I'm currently at a crossroads on what acceptance to go with either Arkansas State University in Jonesboro or the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) in Little Rock. 

Anyone willing to share? 

- Clinical Experience:How would you describe your overall clinical experience at your school? Are there sufficient opportunities to for speciality hours? Are you competing with medical students or residents for hours?

-Faculty Support: How accessible and supportive are the faculty. Do they provide adequate guidance and mentorship?

Fidelity Lab:  is the quality of the simulation labs? Are they well-equipped, and do you feel they adequately prepare you for actual patient care scenarios? Availability? 

Independence in Clinicals: How much independence do students have during their clinical placements? Are you allowed to take on responsibilities that enhance your learning? ACT Model or full independence?

Anyone else experience the same thing with acceptance to both?

[srnacrna2025, BSN]

I graduate next week from Astate. 

 

- Clinical Experience:

The school has several different regions of clinic sites. You match with a region and then your rotations depend on what that particular region does. So this is a really broad question and hard to answer because it would depend on your placement. There are sites in Little Rock, Jonesboro, Memphis, and more in various places in Arkansas. All of my classmates have had plenty opportunities and I know at my particular sites I have had ample. I have never had to "compete" with medical students or residents. Sometimes people need intubations but there are plenty of those to go around. I am overall extremely happy with my clinical experience. 

-Faculty Support: How accessible and supportive are the faculty. Do they provide adequate guidance and mentorship?

They are accessible. Their support level depends on which side of the bed they wake up on that day as far as the direct and assistant director. Dr. Moe and Dr. White who teach a lot of your courses are great tho. 

Fidelity Lab:  Cadaver lab first semester is pretty cool. Simulation was very meh but I don't think any level would actually prepare you for that first day in the OR. 

Independence in Clinicals: I had a variety of this at different rotations ranging all across the spectrum. I found if you work hard, show up, and don't do anything stupid you can do pretty much whatever you want. I am going to work in an ACT model because that is what I prefer but feel like this school did give me the experiences needed to practice independently. 

Overall, the clinical experiences made up for my frustrations with the didactic portion. The main negative for me was their complete lack of organization and just overall carelessness about some things. I remember someone telling me the same thing when I made the decision to go here and I just weighed it out. Looking back, I would do it again. The price and variety of clinic sites are really the pro's.