Do Schools Really Matter?

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Hello all!

Wanted to know: does it really matter what school you got your undergraduate degree from when applying to CRNA school? I'm a recent ADN grad that recently got excepted into two different RN-BSN programs - one being significantly more prestige than the other in terms of ranking and recognition. Would a more prestige name on my resume factor into making me a better CRNA candidate?

School A:

Less prestige name

Know for easier course work and program

Chance to increase my GPA significantly

Program completion in 9 months, with 5 weeks courses.

School B:

Top 10% of nursing schools in the country

More rigorous coursework and more time-consuming

Slight chance for GPA increase, due to harder course work.

12 month program, with normal Spring, Summer, Fall semesters

I'm thinking about the admission process for CRNA school in the long run. I've already accepted a full time ICU grad position, and will be working full time.

Any advise is much appreciated.

Thanks.

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As long as your BSN school is accredited (CCNE - national accreditation), I think you should be fine. I don't think CRNA programs care where you get your BSN, but I'm interested to see what other members think about this. Also, you didn't mention cost. I'm assuming option #1 is cheaper, you really don't want to spend a lot of money for your BSN, save the money for CRNA school.

Best of luck!

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As long as your BSN school is accredited (CCNE - national accreditation), I think you should be fine. I don't think CRNA programs care where you get your BSN, but I'm interested to see what other members think about this. Also, you didn't mention cost. I'm assuming option #1 is cheaper, you really don't want to spend a lot of money for your BSN, save the money for CRNA school.

Best of luck!

Thanks for replying! Both schools are actually in the same price range. No more than $1000 difference. And yes, both schools are accredited!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Transplant..

I am personal friends with CRNA's who sit on the application board for UofM and UNF. According to them they do look at the school you went to and what hospital you worked at.

I can only speak for those schools though.

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The school you attended just does not matter. At all. As long as it is a regionally accredited school, you are just fine.

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I attended an information session yesterday with the director of UMD's Anesthesia program, and he stated that their admissions committee DOES look at schools when considering GPAs of applicants. Basically, a GPA of 3.9 from an easier program will NOT be looked on as favorably as a GPA of 3.4 from a harder program.

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Specializes in ICU/CCU.

I totally agree. All of CRNA Schoools should look at undergrade schools and the hospitals where applicants work at.

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Schools DO matter but not necessarily because your CRNA program will judge you by them. I would MOST DEFINITELY go for the tougher school and work extra hard to improve your GPA while there. A CRNA education is extremely challenging and you should come in as prepared as possible.

I trained through the Army and it was an experience that challenged me in ways I never imagined. At many of my rotational sites I worked with SRNAs training at civilian schools as well CRNAs who had trained in both military and civilian programs. I will say this, the military training is rigorous and as a result produces (for the most part) very competent independent providers. Some of the other programs attended by the SRNA students that I worked with also showed evidence of a rigorous instructional program. Others did not. I am sure there are CRNA schools out there where one can "get by" and graduate and even pass the exam. That may work out OK if you are not required to practice completely independently.

There are many jobs throughout the country where CRNAs provide anesthesia without an ologist for miles around. This is especially true in the Army (can't speak about the other services). As a CRNA in that type of situation you really need the experience and confidence that comes with an extremely tough program.

So....that being said, I would encourage you to go to the tougher school because it sure heck won't get easier in CRNA school. Just my $0.02.

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