Is anyone here attending any of the anesthesia schools in Philadelphia. I just started looking into some programs here and was wondering if anyone had any personal opinions to share.
Erin
Dec 20, '02
I'll be looking into anesthesia schools in Philly as well in the next few years. Right now I am in the accelerated BSN program at Drexel (formerly Hahnemann), and if their anesthesia program is just as good, then that's my first choice! Drexel's financial aid dept. is a royal PITA but otherwise it is a great school.
Dec 20, '02
Emerald NYL, I am in the accelerated BSN program at Thomas Jefferson. How is your program so far? Ours is pretty disorganized because it is their first year running it. Do you think your program is preparing you well enough to practice? Sometimes I get nervous because we go through everything so quickly that it is not possible to fit in all the necessary information. It seems I have to do a large amount of learning on my own. I am doing a research project on how well students like us transition into nursing practice in comparison to "traditional" students. I know this is off the thread subject but, what is your opinion?
Dec 21, '02
Erinkate, everyone is my class is a *total* overacheiver. I think older, 2nd degree students adapt better because they are more prepared to study. Me included--I had mediocre grades in my undergrad, but now I am really motivated to do this in one year. I think my program is overall very good, it is still a little disorganized because it is only the 2nd year, but the faculty seem pretty receptive and open to suggestions. Hopefully I will be well prepared-- I haven't done a whole lot in clinical so far but I just finished my 1st quarter so I guess we will see!
Dec 21, '02
Our class is exactly the same way. I think you have to be an overachiever to succeed in these types of programs. But it is definitely worth all the hard work to get a bachelor's degree in one year. Good Luck to you!
Erin
Dec 21, '02
I interviewed at PA Hospital last week. I was very, very, very impressed, lots of cases, good mix of hard cases, lots of regionals, lots of invasive lines. lots of independence, very pro-CRNA atmosphere. Temple U. was the university affiliate. nice area too. just a couple blocks from freedom bell, independence hall.
Dec 23, '02
Smoggmatt, what kinds of questions did they ask you? Any helpful hints for those of us that hope to interview at schools in the Philly area? Good luck, BTW!
Dec 23, '02
The interview was very good, I interviewed w/ the program director, 3 staff CRNA's and one
SRNA. Most questions they had to do with my ICU background, why I wanted to do Anesthesia, why did I pick their program, and what I liked to do for fun. No hemodynamic questions. They also asked what questions I had for them. I felt like I was being interviewed by them by the types of questions I was asking to them. They were very good to answer my questions, I got a tour of the hospital and free lunch. Like I said I was very impressed. I don't think you could go wrong at PA Hospital. You should contact the program and ask your questions, I am sure they would love to answer your questions.
Good luck.
matt
Dec 23, '02
Oh yeah ...As far as helpful hints, research the program your thinking about, have lots of questions for them. Do your homework.
I was going to mention PA hospital was very proud of their program and the amount of clinical time they offered in their program and how early in the program their students got clinical experiences in comparison to the other Philly programs
Dec 23, '02
Thanks for all the info smogmatt!
Erin
Dec 28, '02
I agree totaly with matt. I also interviewed there and was accepeted. very good school. I have since been accpeted to wesleyan and have an interveiw at old dominion coming up. people ask me what I my top pick is and I just can't answer.
matt
Dec 28, '02
When you go to school in Philly you get meet many SRNAs from other programs. They operate what is best described as a co-op whereby the students go to all the different schools in the area for lectures, meaning that even if you attend school at Nazareth you will have to go to villanovas school of anesthesia, or Hannahman, and the other schools for lectures, as this seems to be an agreement between the different schools. I do not belive that Penn participates in this co-op.
Dec 31, '02
Actually, I was under the impression that PA hospital did operate under the "Temple U. co-op" ... in fact several of the students I spoke w/ mentioned they were with other students from other programs in "their didactic classes" . one of the things the program director mentioned if accepted use your time between when you find out your accepted and when you start the program in the fall is to take Nursing assessement, patho, theory on a graduate level and then transfer those credits to temple to help "ease" the shock of the 1st semester.
Dec 20, '02Occupation: SRNA Joined: Oct '02; Posts: 1,191; Likes: 28I'll be looking into anesthesia schools in Philly as well in the next few years. Right now I am in the accelerated BSN program at Drexel (formerly Hahnemann), and if their anesthesia program is just as good, then that's my first choice! Drexel's financial aid dept. is a royal PITA but otherwise it is a great school.
