LSU, UAB, Southeastern US MNA programs

[SN15671]

I am looking for good CRNA programs in the southeastern part of the US. Please give some input on reputable schools in this area and which ones will prepare me best for the future. Thanks. Smaller classes and a caring faculty are huge in my sight so please give insight on that aspect.

[BCRNA]

UAB has a great program, though it will be a MSN with a DNP option in August. The CRNA program was with the school of health professions, they are joining the school of nursing so that they can offer a DNP. They prepare students well and are front loaded (first year is just classes). The major drawback (if you are at the Birmingham campus and not one of the other sites) is that MD anesthesia residents get first pick of the good cases. Also, students are never allowed to do cases by themselves (except for pediatrics which is done in Memphis, TN). Many anesthesia programs will allow senior students to do cases without a CRNA in the room. UAB won't even allow the CRNA to leave the room, even if the student is about to graduate. The program I went to allowed all students in their last year to run rooms by themselves (saving the cost of a CRNA). My schedule revolved around the needs of the OR, not the needs of my education.

The teachers are wonderful and do a good job. The academic portion is excellent. The focus of the program is your anesthesia education. The program I went to (in Tennessee) was focused on staffing the operating room and saving the anesthesiologists money (I missed many good cases becuase I was needed to a basic lap. chole.). I feel that the clinical education I received was far better than UAB, but the academic education didn't come close. Be sure the school you choose does a good balance between clinical and academic education. Most of my graduate education at the MSN level was self taught (I was expected to read the books all by myself and pick up the material). The primary focus on providing an anesthesia provider to staff rooms made it difficult to actually address the "why" of anesthesia, at graduation I knew exactly what to "do" for a cardiac bypass but my understanding of the "why" was very limited. As you can probably tell I did not like having to adjust my education around being free labor for the anesthesiologists.

[CCRN86]

I see you posted this a year ago. I'm in the midst of applying to schools. Did you get in anywhere?