Hospital Based VS. University

gluck · Sep 29, 2008

All programs have to be affiliated with a school. So all programs are in a sense university based. I suspect the diference you're asking about is whether the program is part of the school of nursing, biology or some other department. Personally, i'm going to avoid schools of nursing if i can.

foraneman · Sep 29, 2008

The biggest difference will be clinical. And maybe not for the reasons you think... A hospital program without an anesthesia residency will likely afford you more clinical procedures and greater case variety. This can be a HUGE benefit! Of course any institution which does not provide services for a particular specialty (transplant, trauma, etc.) may leave you wanting.

jamieblu · Sep 29, 2008

All programs have to be affiliated with a school. So all programs are in a sense university based. I suspect the diference you're asking about is whether the program is part of the school of nursing, biology or some other department. Personally, i'm going to avoid schools of nursing if i can.

This is not exactly true. Gooding Institute in Panama City FL is not a university based program. There are no universities in the area. They are approved by the AANA to grant the MSNA only as a single degree institution. The degree is not a university degree or regionally accredited so the major difference is that when you graduate you will be able to take boards like every other program and practice as a CRNA, but you may run in to trouble transferring credits, and most colleges would not consider the masters degree legitimate in terms of completing your doctorate.

I don't know of other programs like this, but I'm sure they exist.

Basically, if you EVER think you may go back for a doctorate, etc. you need to attend a university based program. If CRNA is your goal and you know you will never go back to school, a hospital based program would be just fine.

yumyum · Sep 30, 2008

Hmmm good information. This has me concerned. I am obsessed with education- so I know I will want to go back to school after CRNA.

May I ask where you got your info? Where can I investigate further?

I guess I could call one of the programs that offers the Doctorate and see what they say. Any further suggestions?

jamieblu · Sep 30, 2008

yumyum,

No need to be concerned. I was in the same position. Just do your research on each school you apply to. If the program is through a university that is regionally accredited and also accredited by the AANA, you should be fine.

Another thing to consider: If you are planning to get your PhD or DNP (nursing doctorate) you may want to apply to programs that offer a MSN with a concentration in anesthesia as opposed to all of the other degrees (MSNA, MSA, etc.). This will save you a step and keep you from having to take all of those MSN core classes after you graduate (which you will need to begin your doctorate).

All of the degree information and programs can be found on the AANA website. Best of luck, jamie

loveanesthesia · Sep 30, 2008

If you are planning to get your PhD or DNP (nursing doctorate) you may want to apply to programs that offer a MSN with a concentration in anesthesia as opposed to all of the other degrees (MSNA, MSA, etc.). This will save you a step and keep you from having to take all of those MSN core classes after you graduate (which you will need to begin your doctorate).

That is only true if you are planning a PhD in Nursing, if you are going into anything else such as a science based PhD, or in Education for example, then you will not have to take any core nursing classes. Also I don't believe someone with a MSNA would need to take any additional classes for the DNP at Rush or at Texas Wesleyan, I haven't looked much at the curriculums of other DNP programs.

Make sure that the degree granting institution for the program has regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, and you will be able to transfer to other institutions with regional accreditation (this is almost all universities).