NY programs anyone? Columbia or SUNY Downstate?

zoozoo · Aug 9, 2005

Hello. My name is Kelly and I live in New York. I will be graduating with an Associates in Nursing in May of '06. I am currently a respiratory therapist with a bachelor's degree and was interested in continuing my education with anesthesiology after getting the necessary experience in ICU. I was wondering if anyone is currently in either one of these two NY CRNA programs (Columbia or SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn) or graduated from one of them. I would appreciate any information that could be provided such as schedule of classes and clinicals and how demanding the program is. I have three young boys (4, 2 and 9 months) and live a very chaotic and busy life so I know it will be pretty difficult to get through the program. I would appreciate any info any one could provide. Thanks a lot.

I am planning to apply to SUNY next year, and know that they are expensive, somewhere around $60.000 for the program. Also you have to talk fast on the phone because they seem to be in a hurry every time I call.

subee, MSN, CRNA · Aug 10, 2005

Hello. My name is Kelly and I live in New York. I will be graduating with an Associates in Nursing in May of '06. I am currently a respiratory therapist with a bachelor's degree and was interested in continuing my education with anesthesiology after getting the necessary experience in ICU. I was wondering if anyone is currently in either one of these two NY CRNA programs (Columbia or SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn) or graduated from one of them. I would appreciate any information that could be provided such as schedule of classes and clinicals and how demanding the program is. I have three young boys (4, 2 and 9 months) and live a very chaotic and busy life so I know it will be pretty difficult to get through the program. I would appreciate any info any one could provide. Thanks a lot.

Kelly, you're missing your BSN which is mandatory for MSN. I graduated from Columbia a long time ago and think that even if you had your BSN you could not handle anesthesia school and three young children. No one in my class had kids and one other girl in the class ahead of me did, BUT she had a house husband full-time at home. They are now divorced. My life was on hold for two years because it was school pretty much 24-7. Pick something else less demanding on your time because you've chosen to have 3 kids and they deserve to see you.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Aug 10, 2005

Hello Kelly and welcome to the great family of allnurses. Good luck to you. :)

trendz80 · Aug 29, 2005

Hello. My name is Kelly and I live in New York. I will be graduating with an Associates in Nursing in May of '06. I am currently a respiratory therapist with a bachelor's degree and was interested in continuing my education with anesthesiology after getting the necessary experience in ICU. I was wondering if anyone is currently in either one of these two NY CRNA programs (Columbia or SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn) or graduated from one of them. I would appreciate any information that could be provided such as schedule of classes and clinicals and how demanding the program is. I have three young boys (4, 2 and 9 months) and live a very chaotic and busy life so I know it will be pretty difficult to get through the program. I would appreciate any info any one could provide. Thanks a lot.

If you feel you can handle the work with your children, don't let anyone tell you that you should not go. I would apply to all the programs that accept RN's that have Bachelor's degrees already in a non-nursing field. If you have a good support system you can do it. Yes, your kids need you but you are ultimately doing this to give them as well as yourself a better life. I say do it while they are young and get it over with. No need in putting schooling on hold. I went to school when my son was just born for 4 years for my BS degree and he still saw me and got my attention. Now I am going back with with son, and now 1 year old daughter and husband. It will be hard, but it will benefit you in the long run. I saw Columbia's website and they say something about RN with non-nursing bachelor degrees are required to take a required course. Here is the link http://cpmcnet.columbia.edu/dept/nursing/academics-programs/nap.html

Call them up and ask questions about your non-nursing Bachelor's degree and your associates RN degree as well. Do what you got to do. Sometimes the people who have the kids and a family to take care of do the best in school.

Good Luck!

William_SRNA · Aug 29, 2005

Personally I would wait until your children are older, unless your husband can be with such little children full time. I have been an SRNA for four months now with an 11 month old son. Luckily my wife stays home full time with our son since birth, otherwise it would have been really tough. I don't recommend CRNA school to two working parents with such young children.

upstateRN · Feb 3, 2006

Of the people going to the NY programs, what made you choose one particular program over the other (for those who had a choice)... and what background/experience did you get before applying (which ICU, how many years etc)? I am interested in going on to CRNA school in the near future. I am set to graduate from an ADN program in May '06. I was leaning more towards Columbia because of the AMP program they have there.

I am curious as to your experiences at each of the schools.

Also, did anyone look across the river in NJ? I know UMDNJ has a program there as well.

Any thoughts or insight would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks:)

rouqie · Feb 3, 2006

:uhoh21: i am currently trying to decide what to specialize in and was leaning towards crna? can any of you tell me why you decided the fields that you did?

no-pain · Feb 3, 2006

Check out the Pre-CRNA Inquiry Forum at the top of this page, it may answer many of your questions.