Choices (looking for CRNA's advice)

[Powertrip]

I wanted to post this here also in hopes that current CRNA's and others on this site could weigh in. i want to weigh my options, but no matter how much I research, I feel someone that is a current CRNA would be better able to decern what is important in making this choice. I know you may not know much about the schools, but I have done my research and both have great numbers on paper. So it comes down to what I have encountered. So with that, here is my problem:

I have been accepted to 4/5 programs that I applied to, but now have to make the choice of which school I want to go to. Choosing 2 of the CRNA schools for elimination off my list was easy, but I am now stuck with 2 hard choices. The first choice is Union University in Tennessee. If this place was closer or the other choice farther away, this would be my choice hands down. It is a DNP program for the same price as my other choice and is only 2 semesters longer. The professors seem very friendly and easy to reach and the program very well organized. The students here love it and it shows. The campus is also beautiful. These people seem to push you to succeede and are a very friendly lot. The other choice is UAB. This school is very close to my house, within 15 minutes. It only offers a MSN and will only be advancing later to DNP. The program seems somewhat organized, but not nearly as organized as Union's. (I could not get anyone on the phone to verify all my stuff had made it to UAB, I ended up having to call the undergrad nursing school and get them to walk over to the CRNA dept. to get someone on the phone.) The students don't hate the program when I talked to them, they did mention it was hard at times to get people on the phone or a return email. I would, however, have to people I know in the program with me at the same time.

Some things to consider about myself, I am married and my wife would want to go with me and take our 2 dogs if we moved to Union. I am a homeowner and would have to sell/rent. My wife would have to quit work and find a new job in a new area. I am more impressed with Union over UAB in my own terms.

I am asking you to put yourself in my shoes and tell me what your opinion would be and why. I am doing this because you may have some insight that I do not (how important is a DNP in practice, ect....). I would love and value opinions that were Neutral, but would love to hear from graduates also. Thank you in advance.

[wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

Which program is going to give you the best clinical experiences? Is the focus of one program geared almost exclusively towards ACT practices, is there plenty of opportunity to learn regional, CVLs, will you get rotate through CRNA only practices and or military sites? The DNP is nice, but is an extra 2 semesters going to be financially feasible.?

[Powertrip]

As of right now, both places have almost equal amounts (according to their records) of the different clinical experiences you would see (blocks, locals, ect...). Both programs are focused outside of ACT practices and push for independance and full scope practicing, however, UAB does a lot of clinicals at the UAB hospital where the CRNA's do not do induction or remergence ( at this point it is speculation, as I have not worked there so it is based off what I heard from students, not a defined fact). There are a few CRNA only practices from Union, but UAB has none. Neither has military sites that I am aware of. The instutions cost the same at the end in amount of tuition, the only extra fees would be living expenses and books for the Doctorate (Which I plan to get reguardless, but would be nicer if I could get it while in school.

[wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

Okay, this is what I found on the COA website: http://home.coa.us.com/accredited-programs/Pages/CRNA-School-Search.aspx

Union had a 0% attrition rate last class, UAB 8%, Union had a 92% pass rate on board, UAB had an 88% pass rate, Union had 100% employment rate, UAB had a 95% employment rate. UAB SRNAs did an average of 650 cases (which is really low). Union did not list their average student cases. This is very important to find out. You should be doing at least 1000 cases by graduation.

Beyond that they both have cadaver labs and hi-fi sim labs. Union offers large hospital practices and rural rotations. UAB is mainly just larger practices, but it is hard to tell they have over 30 clinical sites.

Hope that helps.

[Powertrip]

UAB also has many different places (distance programs) they use as their bases for clinical sites. Basicly they have people living here for 1 year for the didactic portion and then they move off to the distance area for clinical rotations. That is the reason for their large amount of clinical sites. I was unaware of such a low case number, they preached to us that each student would get at least 1000. You really went above and beyond to help me here, and I thank you for it. I feel in my mind I have already chosen Union, but continue to have to think what is best for my wife. Did you have to consider such things when you got into school? I saved up large sums to help her while in school, but want to do what is best for me and for her. Like you have stated though, Union's numbers are better, and education seems more solid. I want the best experience I can receive in school as I want to be able to serve my patients with full knowledge.

[wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

UAB also has many different places (distance programs) they use as their bases for clinical sites. Basicly they have people living here for 1 year for the didactic portion and then they move off to the distance area for clinical rotations. That is the reason for their large amount of clinical sites. I was unaware of such a low case number, they preached to us that each student would get at least 1000. You really went above and beyond to help me here, and I thank you for it. I feel in my mind I have already chosen Union, but continue to have to think what is best for my wife. Did you have to consider such things when you got into school? I saved up large sums to help her while in school, but want to do what is best for me and for her. Like you have stated though, Union's numbers are better, and education seems more solid. I want the best experience I can receive in school as I want to be able to serve my patients with full knowledge.

I am military and went to USUHS, one of the military CRNA schools, so my experience is somewhat different than civilian CRNA school.

[BCRNA]

UAB is a great school, and I don't think a DNP should be a deal breaker. CRNA income for two semesters is substantial, a post-msn DNP is three semesters at UAB currently. You will take a huge pay cut for two semesters, and I think financially it would be better to do a post-msn DNP. Also, check on why UAB's attrition rate is higher, their program is much bigger than Unions and this might be the main reason. UAB has multiple sites with a larger volume of students. I would imagine UAB could get you bigger cases. I went to UTC in Chattanooga, which is close to Union. I don't know of any large hospitals close to Union, so most of the experience might be from really small rural hospitals. That is something you will need to check on.

You will need to consider what is best for you. But being 15 minutes from a school and not having to sell or move is a big plus. Graduating two semesters sooner will get you 9 months of CRNA pay, no one will care what degree you have. I work with CRNAs with bachelors, and no one would ever know. Also, the Birmingham area is flooded with CRNAs and the pay is awful. I live a couple hours north of Birmingham, and our pay is twice Birmingham's pay. I know people making more working part time here than full time there. I have heard great things about Union, so you will have a good school either way. Good luck.

[ProgressiveThinking, MSN, CRNA]

How much do you like living in Alabama? Personally, I would choose the local school over having to sell my house and rent a new place, while dragging my wife to a different state so that she could find a new job, and doing it all so that i could start a rigorous and time intensive academic program in a place where I didn't know anybody. That just sounds like a lot of major life changes that could potentially be rough on a marriage.

[mh0712, MSN, RN]

Just wanted to add that I am in a similar situation. I can either do a 36 month DNP or 28 month MSN- can't really narrow it down myself. However, one reasoning I look at is lost salary. In those 8 months I can make nearly 100K and that would go towards loans. Also, is 100K worth your DNP? In addition, look at the requirements for running a CRNA program- 550 cases is minimum and 650 is recommended. However, many programs go well beyond this into the 1000's of cases. Just a few points to consider. I wish you the best. Oh and one final point, I know a Union grad and he is the best CRNA I know, so I can say clinically he is great.

[macanes, BSN, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

It sounds like you haven't considered or have already ruled out training in the military. I think Army training (my experience) was the best — and Navy grads wills ave a similar point. You'll get your DNP, and the $100,000 other folks mentioned is more than made up for by graduating debt free. I know some folks will say the pay is crappy compared to civilian practice, and at the lower officer ranks (captain and below) that's easily true. On the plus side, you'll get great training in a great practice environment.

I'm a UAB DNP student myself, but online. I have nothing to say plus or minus — I do like the DNP and am thinking about switching to the PhD program, don't ask me why.

I do know that pay in tge Birmingham area is crap because UAB has turned out so many graduates in the past few years. You have to be prepared to move. I would not work the job I do for the pay they receive — forget it.

I don't know anything about Tennessee practice or the school.

Don't be squeamish about the military. I still work in the Army system 10 years after I got out and there's a good reason — the practice environment. It sucks when the politicians screw around with our lives, such as with that sequester crap. But, don't think your life is going to be perfect in the civilian world. My now Arny colleague from civilian practice originally has the equivalent of another mortgage to pay off for his schooling had the practice where he used to with sold out to the hospital — great for the partners, ****** for the CRNAs who were not partners. They had their previously fabulous pay cut in half.

My two cents. I'll be happy to talk more, or put you in touch with more recent grads, if you like. Message me if so.

[wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

The OP has already been accepted to civilian NA school. It wouldn't make much sense to wait another year and half to get into the military programs. They could join one of the uniformed branches afterward and have most/all of their loans paid off. The OP would have to wait several years if they joined the Navy before going to NA school. The Army and now the AF are the only services that offer direct entry programs for NA school. USPHS from my understanding is no longer going to be training their own CRNAs.

My advice would be goto NA school now and then decide on the military later.

[gobluern]

I am a student at Union right now. I'm in the DNP program. I love it! The teachers are awesome and very easy to get in touch with. The students ahead of me say they get around 1000 cases before graduating. We go to Memphis and Vanderbilt for the big teaching hospitals as well as CRNA only practice hospitals. They say it's a really good mix. They also have military recruiters come talk with us if you are interested in that. I'm from Alabama and I moved to Jackson and my wife and child are still in Alabama. It's working ok right now.