rockabye06

Bank One does not require a co-signer nor do they require school certification. However, the catch with them is: you pay a 9% origination fee. That's pretty hefty. But in the long run, it's worth it. When you get done with school, you will be making enough to cover the loans plus some. "Do whatever it takes to get through" is a good philosophy to live by and as another poster stated, worrying about money during your program is the last thing you should be doing. DC

I was accepted two years in advance and it has definitely helped me a great deal. At Rush, I was able to take about 10 classes before the program started. As a result, I am able to work longer and get school paid for. :)

uh.. not so fast on the Bank One loan. I compared their private education loan (Education One loan) with Citibank's equivalent. For someone with excellent credit, there IS no comparison. First of all, the interest rate right now was 5.75% variable compared to Citibank's 4.75% variable. The other major factor is origination fees. While with Citibank, there is NO origination fee, Bank One charges a HUGE 9.5% origination fee. That is just plain ludicrous. BTW, one plus for Bank One is that they don't verify your school information with your financial aid department. Therefore, you may get your money faster than with Citibank. But for 9.5% extra, I think waiting is worth it, don't you. Anyone out there heard about any other lending institutions whose private education loan looked more competitive than this one I quoted from Citibank? Any info would be appreciated. David

I have actually spoken to my friend about this issue, comparing AA school to CRNA school. He felt his CRNA program was a more comprehensive program and more difficult to get through. Obviously, he had a easier time in school because of his previous experience as a practicing AA. In addition to 2 years as a critical care nurse. I think a key element of CRNA programs is that you are required to have a certain number of years of critical care experience. Sure, some AA may have been respiratory therapist or even nurses prior to school, but clinical experience taking care of critically ill patients is not required to my knowledge. I believe the same is true when comaring nurse practicioners to physician assistants.

I really don't know too much about Rush's post masters program in anesthesia. However, I tend to think that it is designed for those practicing nurse anesthetists prepared at the bachelor's level before all the programs went to a master's level for entry to practice. Contact the school for clarification.

At Rush Univ. in Chicago, IL, we are on the quarter system. The program totals 27 months or 9 quarters. The cost per quarter hour is $494 if part-time or $5620 per quarter if full time (12 hours or greater). The program requires a minimum of 78 quarter hours for completion of the MSN degree. However, this quote is for the 2003-2004 school year. Tuition costs for 2004-2005 are not published yet and it is highly likely that they will increase. The cost of attending this nurse anesthesia school is not as easily calculated as one might think, however. This is due to the fact that every person completes the degree requirements differently. For example, if one quarter you have 11 credits, the cost would be $5434 (11 X 494). Another quarter, you might have 17 credits and the cost would be $5620, the cost for one quarter at full time rate. Many, if not most, students choose to take many of the core courses (about 12 courses) prior to officially beginning the program, even if not yet accepted. By doing this, the academic load can be lightened substantially during the 27-month program, but the cost may be increased due to a la carte pricing ($494 per quarter hour). One way around this is by working at Rush while taking classes, which many choose to do. By working part-time or greater (at least 20 hours/wk), Rush pays for up to 6 quarter hours (approximately 2 classes) per quarter. The only catch is that this is technically considered income and the medical center deducts taxes from the cost of tuition. Further complicating this issue is the fact that during the final 15 months of this program (the residency), usually students are eligible to receive a monthly stipend of approximately $500-$600. If a student was to go through the entire program of study in 27 months (not taking any of the core courses ahead of time as described above) according to the "Sample Program of Study" as listed in Rush's website, the cost would be as follows: Quarter 1 Summer year 1 19 credit hours $5620 Quarter 2 Fall year 1 15 credit hours $5620 Quarter 3 Winter year 1 17 credit hours $5620 Quarter 4 Spring year 1 16 credit hours $5620 Residency Quarter 5 Summer year 2 2 credit hours $988 Quarter 6 Fall year 2 2 credit hours $988 Quarter 7 Winter year 2 1 credit hour $494 Quarter 8 Spring year 2 1 credit hour $494 Quarter 9 Summer year 3 1 credit hour $494 TOTAL 27 months *75 credit hours **$25938 * also required is graduate level statistics course, bringing total credits required to 78. This would incur additional tuition costs. ** These costs are tuition costs only. Book costs are additional. To my knowledge, there are no other hidden "fees", lab fees, or any other type of administrative or institutional fees. Again, the above costs are completely hypothetical as the sample program of study is usually not the norm and therefore costs would be different.

Dear NC Girl, Just curious, but why do you want to come to Chicago? I just got accepted to Rush Univ.'s Anesthesia program and I have to be here for another 2 1/2 yrs. I wish it were yesterday. I'm just tired of the weather and hustle and bustle of the big city. Don't get me wrong, there are so many things to do here!! However, after living here for 30+ years, it's time for a change. Ironically enough, North Carolina is one state I'm considering when I finish. As far as hospitals go, Northwestern is in the Gold Coast, along Lake Michigan and near the very posh Mag Mile (Michigan Ave) shopping district. Very expensive to live near here. I've heard of a new grad CRNA who started there 2 years ago with a $25K sign-on bonus and $100K/yr. Children's Memorial is the best childrens hospital in Chicago. It is in Lincoln Park, also a very nice area and expensive to live in. University of Chicago is in Hyde park (South Side). Very good hospital, but not such a great neighborhood. Rush, UIC (University of Illinois) and Cook County are all in the Medical Center District on the Near West Side. This area, while slightly rough, is changing very quickly. Property values are increasing rapidly with new construction everywhere. If you have any specific questions, please PM me, OK? NC Girl. David

I think you have a good chance, especially if you can take a few of the online hard science courses like Pathophysiology I or II, Physiology I or II. If you take a few of these and ace them, I think you'll get an interview assuming you have good references. If you get an interview, your chances are dramatically increased. Good luck. If you have any further questions, you can pm me.

Be careful as well with the Army Strap program. If your program is longer than 24 months (and most are), they get you for THREE years for each year of school. That's right!! For example, with a 27 month program, you would actually have to sign for SIX years of active reserve duty (one weekend per month plus two weeks per year). Even though they only pay you for three months of that third year, they still get you for two years of reserve duty. In addition to the signing of six years of reserve duty, the other posters are right: the actual black and white committment is eight years. (In fact, the MINIMUM COMMITTMENT FOR ANY OF THE BRANCHES IS ALWAYS EIGHT YEARS). Sure, some or a majority of that eight years might be spent as an "inactive reservist", but the bottom line is, in the event of a national catastrophy or World War III, you could still be called up. Therefore, in the above case, the remaining two years of your committment would be spent in inactive reserve if you choose (you don't have to drill or go to annual training). Again, technically, during this time, you could still be called to active duty, but it is unlikely. They would rather call up someone who has been drilling every month and for two weeks each year, ie. someone with more "readiness" My final point, the Army's loan repayment program is that they will pay back up to $50K in federally-backed student loans over the course of three years, $20K for each of the first two years, and $10K the third year. You invoke an ADDITIONAL year of reserve duty for each of these years. Let's say you get $50K in loans, and you want the Army to pay it all back. They will, but it'll cost you three more years of service. I have been actively researching all the branch's programs for some time and have been working with recruiters, so I believe this information to be accurate. To sum up, the Army could pay you around $1200 per month throughout school and pay back $50K in student loans after your done. If your program is 27 months long, you invoke NINE (9) years of reserve duty when your're done. If you are not dead sure you might want to serve as an active duty Army CRNA and officer when you're done, you should not do this program, because there's a darn good chance that during that long time committment, you could be called up for one or more tours of duty. On the positive side, many people might welcome this type of lifestyle. It would involve much excitement, travel, great clinical experience, not to mention the honor and prestige that comes with serving your country as an officer and later veteran. However, if the only reason you're looking into the military is to help you pay for school, I suggest not doing it. Military life is not for everyone and there are other ways to pay for school like getting loans and paying them back when you're done with salary or sing-on bonuses or contracting with a hospital now to pay for school in return for years of service in the future. P.S. Sorry about the long post.

I, as I'm sure all of us, are eagerly awaiting the results of your interview. Please let us know. The best of luck to you!!!

Good luck, Trauma Tom Please let us know either way, OK? I feel like this forum's members has become my extended family of sorts.

Congrats!!

Thanks Flying ED, Thanks for trying to help. It seems that not a lot of info is out there regarding this issue. I just want to get another source first before asking my recruiter as sometimes their info can be biased and/or designed to funnel you into a program they need recruits for versus the other way around. Perhaps, I'll try searching this board using the search function. Maybe this issue has come up before. Thanks again, David

Does anyone out there know if the Navy has a similar program to the Army's STRAP program? From a recent post, I understand that in the Army's STRAP program, you get around $1200-1500/month stipend during school plus loan repayment of $20 K/year up to $50 K total. Your return obligation apparently is two years of reserve duty for every one year they pay for school. Is this true? I realize that there is a very high likihood of being called to serve active duty as a CRNA, but this still seems like a great deal. Or is the real deal two years of active duty for every one year they pay for school? What I really want to know is, does the Navy have a similar program? Please let me know asap. Thanks in advance David

Does anyone out there know if the Navy has a similar program to the Army's STRAP program?

Dear ShirleyTx, To answer your question about undergrad. nursing courses, the ones that seemed to give students the most trouble were pharmacology, pathophysiology, and med-surg. nursing. If you managed to get all A's in your first semester, even if low A's, I would feel encouraged. Besides, you are still getting used to the system, the school, the faculty, etc. Try to keep focused on the here and now while keeping one eye on the future goal of going to anesthesia school. Good luck with your pursuits. David

Good luck Mommy, I hope you stick the interview and portray to them your earnest desire for this profession as well as your excellent experiences.

In my honest and humble opinion, it sounds like you have GREAT experience, just the kind that nurse anesthesia programs are looking for. However, I think your academic scores are weak. A 3.0 GPA and 800 GRE will probably not get you in. If you are really serious about becoming a CRNA, then by all means take some graduate level courses (perhaps at your first choice school) and GET ALL A'S. This will show the admissions board that you can handle the rigors of a CRNA program, (which will be the hardest thing you've ever done.) That is my honest opinion.

I don't think that this is too aggressive at all. If you can gauge from the tone and direction of the interview that it seems interactive and two-way, then by all means, ask the question!! It just shows them that you are seeking the best fit for you and that you are not desperate. However, I do advise doing this with tact and humility and perhaps within the context of a list of questions you have prepared for the admissions board to be asked when appropriate (i.e., when they ask if you have any questions)

POD, I also start at Rush in June, 2004. I'm excited to hear about your admission and decision to attend Rush over Wake Forest. If you don't mind me asking, what was instrumental in your decision? Also, are you from North Carolina? Anyway, look foward to meeting you!! David

Never applied, don't know an awful lot, but our Director at Rush says that Samuel Merritt in Oakland is an excellent program. This has been confirmed by various other sources since I started looking about 3 years ago. Good luck in your search! rockabye06

If you are absolutely he** bent on going to Rush University, here is my advice: 1. Start taking core and cognate graduate curriculum classes at Rush either the web-based ones if you can't move yet or they offer some compressed weekend classes where you come to Rush in Chicago for one weekend near the beginning of the quarter for all the didactic lectures. Then, you complete readings and submit assignments electronically the rest of the quarter. This is the catch. Rush is a private university and as such, the courses cost about $490 per quarter hour. Courses are generally between 2 and 4 quarter hours. These charges can add up fast. A second, preferred and cheaper option is to move to Chicago and work in one of the ICUs at Rush. Rush will pay up to 6 quarter hours per quarter for students enrolled into any nurse practitioner program that work at least 20 hours per week (50% of full-time.) There are many advantages to this method (coming to Chicago). [Most people just apply to the ACNP (Acute Care Nurse Practitioner) program. Make sure you are honest and just say that you are not interested in being an ACNP, but really a CRNA. You have to complete an application, short informal interview. You will likely have no problem getting accepted. It is not nearly as competitive as anesthesia.] You can start getting used to the Rush system (classes, programs, medical center, etc.), get to know key people on the admissions board, including anesthesia program faculty. By taking these classes, you show them that you are committed to this program, since some classes may not be transferrable to other institutions if you decide to go somewhere else down the road. B. Second, I would recommend getting nothing less than A's and B's, with the majority of them being A's. By doing this, you are demonstrating to the Admissions committee that you can master graduate courses. This is a good indicator that you will be successful in Rush's Anesthesia program. Financially speaking, you will be far better off than many of your colleagues upon graduating from school. This is because you can continue to work either full or part time for the first several (as many as 12 of the required courses) courses. This has a double advantage because when you get accepted officially to the program, you will have completed many of the required courses and you'll be able to focus on mainly Anesthesia classes. This is a much less stressful way to go. Many students actually continue to work 1 or 2 days per week or per diem until their residency starts which is the last 15 months of the program. On a personal note, my undergraduate BSN GPA was 3.89/4.0. My graduate GPA (for seven courses) was 3.9/4.0. I was exempt from taking the GRE. As a student of Rush's undergraduate BSN program, if you apply for a NP program while still an undergrad, you can be accepted under their expedited admission program, and as such, you are exempt from taking the GRE. Of course, if I had not gotten into Rush, I would have had to take the GRE, as most other schools do require it. In my case, I decided early on (four years ago) to put all my eggs in the Rush basket. I feel that I left no stone unturned. I strived for good grades, became ACLS, PALS certified, joined workplace and college standing committees, did agengy nursing to become more well-rounded in terms all types of critical care nursing, informed reference people early on of my intention to go the anesthesia route (my supervisors, medical director, etc) who would eventually provide my letters of recommendation. Most important of all, I have asked a lot of questions as you are doing now. I talked to the anesthesia faculty, current and former students of the anesthesia program, my managers, etc. to gain as much info as possible as to the types of people the admissions committee likes to see. Sorry about my long post. I hope it helps you and anyone else interested out there. In my interview, which despite my extreme nervousness initially, was anything besides a "firing squad" as some recent poster has described their interview experience. In between interviews, the anesthesia faculty presented info. regarding their program including the US News and World Report rankings of Nurse Anesthesia Programs. For the first year in about 6 or 7 years, Rush's program dropped from their number 1 ranking. Interestingly, the Illinois Advanced Practice Nursing law changed last year which required the Anesthesia Seniors to sit for boards earlier than usual. The scores were, not surprisingly, up to their usual superbness. I am confident that this year the scores, and perhaps even Rush's ranking in US News, will return to their previous highs. With that said, I feel that just as attending any nursing school and passing NCLEX gets you the job, attending any CRNA program and passing boards will get you a CRNA job. All CRNA schools must maintain minimum established standards to stay in existence. Well, CA CRNA, I know that was long-winded, but I wanted to give you as many details as possible. (I'm working the night shift tonight and it's a little slow right now). I hope you have success in your pursuit. If you do decide to come to Rush, I can assure you that it is a great place to learn and work!! rockabye06

Just wanted to drop a line to any one that cares. I got my letter of acceptance to Rush University College of Nursing's CRNA program on Friday. I was ecstatic. I will start in the Summer of 2004. I feel like Morgan Freeman in the movie Glory when Colonel Shaw (Matthew Broderick) presents him with a promotion and awards him the rank of ?warrant officer after he proved himself brave and valiant in battle. He said, "I'm not sure I'm wantin' this colonel" To this, Col. Shaw relplied, "I know exactly how you feel." Anyone who saw this movie will know what I mean by this. You see, I feel happy, honored and priveledged to be accepted into a CRNA program but at the same time feel a liitle overwhelmed by the immense amount of work ahead of me as well the degree of responsibility to be afforded me in the future. I 'm glad I have found this forum where I can share my joy, learn a lot about the profession and perhaps encourage some of you out there that are still dreaming. My dreams are coming to fruition!!! As always, I have enjoyed reading these posts and I want to thank all of you that participate so much to make it a great forum, especially the SRNAs and CRNAs whose time is so precious to them.

Hey, I'd like to introduce myself to other readers of this BB. I have been reading its contents for about 2 weeks now and I have been thoroughly impressed by the participation and breadth of information found here re: the field of nurse anesthesia. I've been out of school for about 2 1/2 years all of which has been spent at a large teaching hospital ICU. I recently applied to anesthesia school, interviewed and am waiting to hear if got in. I should find out in a week or two. I am very excited, nervous, anxious to say the least. The wait is a killer!! Anyway, I know that Anesthesia is a wonderful career and what I want to devote the rest of my life doing. Thanks again for this BB everyone and I'll let you know when/if I get in.