Questions for CRNA Programs?

CougRN · Sep 1, 2005

Sorry if this has been asked before (I did a search but couldn't find anything). I'm beginning to look at CRNA Schools and trying to figure out my top choices as well as get more info on different schools.
I'm not quite sure what questions I should be asking these schools. What do you wish you had known about a particular school, or in general, prior to selecting a program?
Thanks!

did you read the sticky attachement at the top of this forum? there is good information there. good questions to ask are what is there first time pass rate on boards, how much regional experience do you get, line experience. also, what happens if a student needs help, do they help them or drop them from the program. what is the attrition rate. do you compete with anesthesia residents. at any point in the program do you get to run your own cases. that's stuff i can think of off the top of my head, i know there is more.

UTRN2005 · Sep 2, 2005

I have read the stickies and while informative they dealt more with the career of anesthesia rather than what information would be good to ask prospective schools when tyring to narrow the search/interview.

I'll give some more background and maybe that will help clarify kind of what I'm looking for. Currently I'm an S2 student at UT- Austin. When I graduate in Dec (finally) I'm planning on leaving Austin and head to Houston or Dallas for a larger city ICU experience. If it were just me moving I would say go with the best job offer and then apply everywhere and see where I can get in for grad school (ie: Houston or Dallas) and then move if I need to. However.....it's not just me. I have a serious boyfriend and will probably be engaged soon who will be leaving Austin with me and will need to find a job wherever I end up. Because of this I would like to work and go to grad school in the same city if possible, to avoid having to make him job hop. So in trying to decide which city to move to I'm trying to figure out which school is my #1 choice. I'm trying to visit and talk to people at each school before interview season rolls around so I can better decide where to move.

So that was a lot of personal info but that's why I'm trying to narrow down schools. I know a little of what to ask but was hoping to get more question ideas from those that have been there.

Thanks for the suggestions CougRN. (and to anyone else who has something to add)

TexasCCRN · Sep 3, 2005

I have read the stickies and while informative they dealt more with the career of anesthesia rather than what information would be good to ask prospective schools when tyring to narrow the search/interview.
I'll give some more background and maybe that will help clarify kind of what I'm looking for. Currently I'm an S2 student at UT- Austin. When I graduate in Dec (finally) I'm planning on leaving Austin and head to Houston or Dallas for a larger city ICU experience. If it were just me moving I would say go with the best job offer and then apply everywhere and see where I can get in for grad school (ie: Houston or Dallas) and then move if I need to. However.....it's not just me. I have a serious boyfriend and will probably be engaged soon who will be leaving Austin with me and will need to find a job wherever I end up. Because of this I would like to work and go to grad school in the same city if possible, to avoid having to make him job hop. So in trying to decide which city to move to I'm trying to figure out which school is my #1 choice. I'm trying to visit and talk to people at each school before interview season rolls around so I can better decide where to move.
So that was a lot of personal info but that's why I'm trying to narrow down schools. I know a little of what to ask but was hoping to get more question ideas from those that have been there.
Thanks for the suggestions CougRN. (and to anyone else who has something to add)

DFW area would not be a bad choice. I had the same thing was in Austin, had a hubby who needed to find somewhere stable. 2 good schools for CRNA here in Fort Worth, lots of great ICU experience with good pay. An option to consider. I am at TCU right now and while overwhelmed, I am enjoying it so far!

Good Luck

PS..I did work in Austin in ICU and you can get good experience right there in town. I think I was more pleased with my experience than some of my classmates at TCU...most of the larger ICU's here want you to stay in one ICU or the other ex.. Neuro or cardiac. I got some of everything and feel well rounded. Consider that when looking for a job as well. You want to learn as much as you can about all types of patient conditions because as a CRNA you will deal with all types.