Columbia's ETP Program for CRNA: Only allows time for 1 year ICU work. Enough time?

Nursing Students SRNA

Published

Columbia accepted me into their entry-to-practice program for nurse anesthesia. In this program, the student receives a BSN in 12 months, then has 15-16 months to pass the NCLEX and finish the one year ICU requirement before starting the master's portion for anesthesia. [Another student's post on this website gave me the impression that there is not an option to defer the master's portion for an extra year without being kicked out of the program.]

I would graduate with a BSN in May 2012 and have to start the master's part in fall 2013. I know that the AANA only requires one year of acute care work, but I am nervous about only having one year of ICU experience before starting as an SRNA. From what I have gathered from this site, most current CRNAs recommend having at least 3-4 years in order to feel confident in their skills and to deliver safe care.

I am very excited to become a nurse and to have been accepted into this program, but I am wondering if it is a safe route into the practice. I don't want to give up a great opportunity like this, but I don't want to just be a nurse anesthetist... I want to be a great and SAFE one as well.

I'd like to hear the opinions of current SRNAs and CRNAs, especially any that are going through or went through the Columbia ETP program for anesthesia. Do you feel that you are prepared to be a CRNA? Is it worth the money? I read a few posts from a student that seems very unhappy with the program and I would like to have more feedback.

For those of you that don't know Columbia's ETP program:

http://sklad.cumc.columbia.edu/nursing/programs/etp.php

Thank you for any help you can give me!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

That seems like an awesome program, congrats on your acceptance.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Anesthesia, Psych MH.

Hi futurecrna16,

I was accepted into the ETP Nurse Anesthesia program starting in May 2012. I also have similar concerns regarding the gaining adequate ICU experience after the first year in the program. Also, I have read in some forums that it is difficult to get hired into an ICU unit out of the ETP program. This potential Catch-22 worries me.

Are you in the ETP Nurse Anesthesia program now? Do you have any advice, warnings, and tips regarding securing an RN position in the ICU after the first year in the program?

Thank you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

I know nothing about Columbia's program. I do know that after 1 year in the ICU I was nowhere close to proficient. Yes it is possible, but it will be extremely difficult. I am going to start CRNA school this summer after 4 years in the icu

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Anesthesia.

IMO the schools that routinely admit applicants with only one year of experience do not graduate applicants that are prepared to be full service anesthesia providers (they only prepare their graduates to work in an ACT environment), and those schools top priority is making money off nurse anesthesia students. With so many nurse anesthesia schools out there and more opening all the time as pre-SRNAs you need to choose your schools wisely and not just by whoever takes you in a given geographical area....just my two cents.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

good point. if the younger batch of CRNA's is trained to work under MDA's and not alone, it will negatively effect the profession in the future. I am looking for a school that trains and fosters independent decision making and basing much of choice on how clinical rotations are organized.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Anesthesia, Psych MH.

Thank you for your input!

I am seriously reconsidering joining the ETP Anesthesia program at Columbia. I am looking for current ETP Anesthesia students and alumni to talk with and learn about their experiences in the program and their preparation as CRNAs. If this applies to you, please send me a PM or reply to this thread.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Anesthesia.
Thank you for your input!

I am seriously reconsidering joining the ETP Anesthesia program at Columbia. I am looking for current ETP Anesthesia students and alumni to talk with and learn about their experiences in the program and their preparation as CRNAs. If this applies to you, please send me a PM or reply to this thread.

You need to know what the attrition rates are/were, did they have any CRNA only or military rotations, board pass rates, CVL numbers they did by themselves on live humans not mannequins (it should be at least 20 IMO), PNBs preferably majority done with US guidance and some stim (50+), and how many neuraxial techniques did they do (should be around 50-100 between epidurals and spinals at least). These questions are probably the best way to gauge programs that I know of.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'd like to hear the opinions of current SRNAs and CRNAs, especially any that are going through or went through the Columbia ETP program for anesthesia. Do you feel that you are prepared to be a CRNA? Is it worth the money?

Hey guys,

I was also accepted to the ETP Anesthesia program for 2012, and would love some more info from current/past students of the same program. Particularly interested in the ease/difficulty in gaining that 1 year ICU experience, and whether you think the quality of the education justifies the cost?

Thanks for any help you can give!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I did the ETP. I worked on a floor for 2 years before I was able to get into an ICU. That was in NYC. If you are willing to leave NYC and go somewhere more rural to work for a year in an ICU you will get a job but not much experience.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Anesthesia, Psych MH.

Thanks for sharing, wtbcrna and nursemw. Also, Glad to meet another admit in Columbia' nurse anesthesia prg. I found it challenging to find current student and alumni contacts. I was able to reach one person who is a current ETP student and the future did not look very bright...and especially for the ICU portion of the prg.Let me know if you want to chat further about this.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CRNA.

I know the ICU manager's in some areas of the country are not hiring new grads from accelerated BSN programs. I can also surmise that the ICU manager probably does not want to hire a new grad for 1 year, because at the 1 year point the new grad is just able to begin to manage the more complicating patients without assistance. One year just gets your feet on the ground to the point you can begin to practice as an ICU nurse.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment