Duke vs. USF, does the name matter?

[Jack C]

So I have been thinking a lot about what Nurse Anesthesia program I want to go into and I want to hear from nurses what their opinions on these schools are.

I am just wondering if going to a more maybe "prestigious" school like Duke opposed to a not as popular school like USF will actually make such a huge deal as it seems it will.

Assuming they both teach me the exact same things and provide me with the best environment for learning and passing exams etc., once I get out in the real world will any potential employer actually care what the name of my CRNA school was?

By the way USF is not too far from home and my top choice because of the awesome health care centers in the Tampa Bay area. I am just thinking about Duke because I have heard great things about their program and the environment is amazing in my opinion.

Thank you in advance for your advice!

[Psata]

IMHO, once you get out in the real world potential employer does not care what the name of your CRNA program. What is critical is passing the CRNA boards. My friend graduated from a certificate program at a Hospital-based CRNA (since merged with a State University) and got her joint MSN at the same time from a College paired with the CRNA Program. She has had many interviews and job offers over the years without a single question about her school/program. She is now a Chief Nurse Anesthetist. She passed her boards on her first try. She lived 15-minutes from the school she went to, so she did have to uproot her family and move to another State or incur any living expenses beyond what she was paying before attending Anesthesia School. She graduated from Anesthesia School with little debt (

EDIT: Are you a Sophomore in High SChool? You do have a long way to go before you even a Nurse, much less eligible to apply to NA School.[/b]

[Jack C]

Thanks alot for sharing your opinion, I'm a junior now but yeah, I know it's really early. I just wanted to get that question out of the way so I can stop worrying about if I am going to have to go to a much more expensive school than I am planning on just so I can get noticed when I apply to a position.