GPSRNA

MHP483, I had 10yrs NICU, all Level III, prior to anesthesia school, not a single day of Adult. You will feel "out of your element" for sure at times but let me assure you, everyone does. Gonna start my last semester in Jan. and have done very well adjusting to the "big people". I surely didn't have to study double the other students, but you will study more than you EVER have in your life....guaranteed. JoPACU was right about the co-morbids and drugs ect, that will be mostly new to you, but everyone else will be studying just as hard. Your questions about the interview...mine was not a clinical based interview. They knew who they wanted and only invited those people for the most part. Getting in is not hard if you have good numbers/grades. Good luck, what schools are you looking at so far??

Butterfly, Sorry to hear that you dropped out of CRNA school, it is a great sacrifice both financially and emotionally. You mention that "They pride themselves in keeping only 'the best & the brightest'." Well, as far as I'm concerned CRNA's are the best and brigthest of the nursing ranks, so they SHOULD be keeping only the best and brightest. Unfortunately I have read some of your other post, I wish I hadn't because they sound very racist to me. You say that "The coursework is doable and is not at all that bad." However, your other post essentially accuse the "white" students of having some kind of unfair advantage as far as class notes and what not. If the coursework is not that bad you shouldn't need any help...with the right amt of studying you should be good, right! I have not recieved any of those advantages you speak of and thankfully I have done well. But I'm not hoping, praying, wishing, or cheating my way thru it, I put in some serious (I mean serious) hours of studying. So, back to the point. I don't know you or your school, you may be accurate in your description. However, in my program 3 qualified black candidates were interviewed and all 3 were accepted. None have failed out and none seem to be getting hazed or bullied. If you are confident that this is going on perhaps the accrediting agencies would be interested. Good luck

Brown 76, I have heard that some schools will drop and/or hold back students that don't do well on the SEE exam in order to make their certification pass rates look good. Is this a reason for the high attrition rate at WC or is it just the usual stuff causing people to drop/fail?? Some people just aren't ready or don't realize the amount of time needed to succeed in CRNA school. This stuff is no joke.

2009, Yes, the anesthesia program is physically located in the same building as nursing... along with physical therapy, occupational therapy, acute care nurse practitioner, clinical laboratory science, and athletic training. However, the success of these other programs do not predict the success of the anesthesia program. The anest program has a different director, assistant director, and teaching faculty from nursing. The anesthesia program is not on probation. So, to answer the question...yes and no.

brown 76, Having worked with many wolford grads, I agree, clinically they are great. But the schools way of doing things is somewhere south of great! It was suprising they got 10yr accreditation!! Horror stories abound. Glad to hear your doing good.

2009, Wouldn't know about the "nursing" program, not in it. Has nothing to do with anesthesia program!!

Dettelbach, Just curious, being from the area I was wondering how you guys document your cases. As I understand it there are approx 200 students enrolled at any given time, and with the naples area having such a limited # of OR's there are always 2 and sometimes 3 students in each OR. Do each of you document that case as your own even though you are "sharing" the case?? Just wondering??

Hey Travel, To begin with, congrats on your interview. Good luck. I was a NICU nurse for 10 yrs before starting CRNA school back in January. So yes you can get in and as far as what questions they will ask, who knows! The program I am in had a fairly tight selection process for who they interviewed so as long as you didn't blow the interview life was good. I didn't get any of the clinical questions related to adult stuff and hopefully they would understand it's not your expertise. On the same token most of your classmates won't know squat about peds and NICU, trust me I know because we're taking finals this week in OB/neonatal/peds and most of the class is tripping. I love it!! However, when you get in be prepared to work... and I mean HARD! You will be behind the 8 ball in some of the stuff. BUT believe me when I say this, CRNA school has a way of leveling everyone out for the most part. Good Luck... you'll need it ha ha ha ha!!!

lovegas, I am currently in my first semester in anesthesia school which is similar to what you are describing. We have clinicals only once per week and you will not be thrown into anything you don't feel comfortable with. There will always be a MDA/CRNA with you at all times. They won't let you screw anything up. And it is nice to start putting all your book work to use right away. On the other hand, it does add an additional amount of stress that you really don't need in your first and second semester. These are the heaviest didatic semester's and your life will suck, I promise you! So far I absolutely love the clinical part of it and have learned ALOT both didactically and clinically. Don't let that aspect of the program make up your mind, if other people are doing it...so can you! gp

CRNA 2007, Hey, I see that you are probably getting more than you bargained for on this post!! With that being said, can I also get a copy of the cards you got.....Please???? Thanks for the offer, we greatly appreciate it! GP

Start CRNA school Jan 2008 in Ft Myers, Fl. Had 10 years ICU exp. Accepted to 2 programs chose FGCU (Florida Gulf Coast Univ). Can't wait....(I think)!!