On ethics and consideration

dfk, RN, CRNA · Jul 18, 2006

Many of you have spent much bandwidth talking about the suspense of waiting to hear from schools of anesthesia regarding your acceptance into their program. You have also talked about the number of applications and interviews that many of you have completed. May I suggest to you that schools spend a lot of time (and sometimes money) in preparing for you and your classmates to hit the ground running after a nice "get acquainted" social activity of some sort. In fact they spend a GREAT DEAL of time. It affects everyone, including those on the list of alternates, when you don't notify schools that you do not plan to attend after they have sent a letter of invitation to you. In fact, it might well mean that an alternate cannot attend because of the thoughtless acts of an applicant who was accepted into a "higher choice" program and neglected to inform the other programs of that decision. Please be considerate of the schools to which you've made application, the students who would have been your classmates, and especially the alternates who are waiting by the phone to hear if an opening has magically appeared. Please notify the schools who have offered a seat in their program to you if/when you decide to decline their offer...it's the professional thing to do.

is this post for real???

i wasn't aware of all the neglect going on... silly me!

skipaway · Jul 19, 2006

is this post for real???
i wasn't aware of all the neglect going on... silly me!

ummmm....I think that Just a CRNA, who btw, is a CRNA, not a wannabe, has an excellent point. And it's a good reminder to those who may not have thought about it. Just a CRNA may have had extensive experience dealing with this type of behavior and is allowed to post whatever he/she wants as a member of this forum. Just b/c you haven't experienced this before doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

respectfully

skipaway

jre · Jul 19, 2006

While were on this topic, I will request some opinions on my situation. I only applied to two programs. The first one I interviewed at is my second choice school. I was accepted, and I formally accepted the invitation a week later along with a check for 1,000 dollars to secure my position. I only had a small window to accept or decline this position. I did this to secure a position because I had not been able to apply to my first school choice at that time. I had my interview at my first choice school yesterday and it went great. I should no within two weeks if I’m accepted or not. Before this post was even started I was considering the ethical implications of this because I’m not sure if it is too late for an alternate to be accepted to the program if I withdraw(program starts in Jan 2007). I have accepted the fact that I will have to forfeit the 1,000 dollars but it’s worth it to me to get my first choice if I’m accepted. I would guess that many other CRNA applicants have found themselves in similar situations, any thoughts are appreciated.

apaisRN, RN, CRNA · Jul 19, 2006

I did something similar. I had exactly 2 weeks to send a large check to secure my place, and I had interviews scheduled at two more schools. The second I was accepted at another school I preferred, I informed the first placeI wasn't coming, and forfeited the money. It was about 5 months before school started. Plenty of time for an alternate to rearrange his/her life. The alternate will be thrilled and the school kept my money. I don't think anyone was harmed.

gasmn2b · Jul 19, 2006

My situation is also similar except I had no monetary involvement. Just as soon as I found out about my first choice (second school to be accepted to), I personally called the director of the program (of my second choice) and informed her of my change in status with the first school to which I had accepted a spot. This class does not start until Jan '07 and my first choice starts in Aug '07. She was very grateful and understanding, no hard feelings and even complemented me on acceptance at the other program and the quality of the other school, as well. I also sent a fax to the NA office respectfully withdrawing my name effective immediately from their next class. Just my 2 pennies worth. Professionalism is best.

dfk, RN, CRNA · Jul 19, 2006

ummmm....I think that Just a CRNA, who btw, is a CRNA, not a wannabe, has an excellent point. And it's a good reminder to those who may not have thought about it. Just a CRNA may have had extensive experience dealing with this type of behavior and is allowed to post whatever he/she wants as a member of this forum. Just b/c you haven't experienced this before doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
respectfully
skipaway

ummmm.... i wasn't telling anyone not to post or whatever.. merely stating that i haven't noticed what the post was implying.. the post came out of no where, and as for posting whatever one wants as a member, last time i checked, i was a member too..

respectfully

dfk

darienblythe79 · Jul 19, 2006

Many of you have spent much bandwidth talking about the suspense of waiting to hear from schools of anesthesia regarding your acceptance into their program. You have also talked about the number of applications and interviews that many of you have completed. May I suggest to you that schools spend a lot of time (and sometimes money) in preparing for you and your classmates to hit the ground running after a nice "get acquainted" social activity of some sort. In fact they spend a GREAT DEAL of time. It affects everyone, including those on the list of alternates, when you don't notify schools that you do not plan to attend after they have sent a letter of invitation to you. In fact, it might well mean that an alternate cannot attend because of the thoughtless acts of an applicant who was accepted into a "higher choice" program and neglected to inform the other programs of that decision. Please be considerate of the schools to which you've made application, the students who would have been your classmates, and especially the alternates who are waiting by the phone to hear if an opening has magically appeared. Please notify the schools who have offered a seat in their program to you if/when you decide to decline their offer...it's the professional thing to do.

I know what you mean. Someone I work with was accepted to more than one program and even though I know she chose a different program her name is still showing up in our email list. How unfortunate, for those who could have had a spot but is now too late. So inconsiderate.

Just a CRNA · Jul 19, 2006

merely stating that i haven't noticed what the post was implying.. the post came out of no where
respectfully
dfk

Actually, this was a new thread, which allows for a new subject line. Time is closing in for all programs that start with a Fall semester and utilize a collegiate calendar. Therefore, this post grew out of the reality that many prospective students are accepted into more than one program. It also came from the knowledge that programs do a lot of work in advance to prepare for the incoming class and need to know who is coming and who is declining. Finally, it comes from the experience of being on the alternate list (25 years ago) and having about a week and a half to move 200 miles and begin school. Evidently this is not an isolated problem, as Darien attests. Hopefully this will provide the rationale for the post and for the request to be considerate of the programs and the other candidates who are impacted by your decision.

lifeLONGstudent · Jul 21, 2006

therefore, this post grew out of the reality that many prospective students are accepted into more than one program. it also came from the knowledge that programs do a lot of work in advance to prepare for the incoming class and need to know who is coming and who is declining. finally, it comes from the experience of being on the alternate list (25 years ago) and having about a week and a half to move 200 miles and begin school. evidently this is not an isolated problem, as darien attests. hopefully this will provide the rationale for the post and for the request to be considerate of the programs and the other candidates who are impacted by your decision.

i appreciate just a crna's insight and will keep this in mind for the future. we all know that we "should" do the right thing and we usually know what the right thing is to do; however, we sometimes fail to think through the situation and about the consequences of our actions (in this case, how the consequences of our actions potentially affect other's). again, i am glad to learn from someone else's experience.... so thanks for posting.

LLL123 · Jul 21, 2006

I am currently an alternate for Fall '06 and can be called up until the day class starts which is Aug 14th. I myself really appreciate Just a CRNA's post and insight into this topic. It is really hard waiting and wondering if someone will decline a position and if I will get that magical call. It would be nice to think that all nurses out there pursuing anesthesia were kind enough to act in a professional manner, but I also realize that some things become an oversight when you are exstatic about going to anesthesia school!:wink2:

japaho41 · Jul 24, 2006

Is it wrong to string a program along until your first choice accepts you to their program? Sometimes it is a situation that cannot be avoided. It happens in other programs as well just ask a few residents I am sure you will come across a few that accepted at a program and then the last minute they heard from their first choice that someone had declined at the last minute. Yes, the professional thing to do is immediately call to decline to give someone else a chance. It all works out in the end. The moral is be curtious.