? regarding CRNA programs

versatile_kat · Dec 4, 2004

Owning the intellectual material and being able to apply it clinically is what really matters - not grades. If you progress through school using grades as your endpoint, but forget the material 6 months later, then what have you accomplished?

This is an obvious fact, however, being in a frontloaded program, grades ARE my endpoint for this and the next semester. How will I make it to clinicals unless I maintain a good GPA? It's a paradox. Luckily, I can't flush the knowledge like you would a toilet ... it's still there and will most definitely need refreshing once I get into the clinical area. But thanks for the observation ... it's a good reminder of things to come.

BTW - thanks for the encouragement apais

WntrMute2 · Dec 4, 2004

Thanks for all your input. Can you guys tell me which schools have integrated programs. I think I would like this type vs frontloaded and I want to do some early research on them...

The University of Michigan (Flint) as well as Wayne State University programs are integrated. University of Detroit's program has recently changed to a front loaded set-up.

Gump · Dec 5, 2004

I too am in a front-loaded program (UAB). There's a heck of a lot of material being thrown at me all at once and I don't have a lot of time to savor it; I study the material very intensely and then move on, because I know that if I get behind, especially in Pharmacology or Principles, I'm screwed.

Even with that said, I do feel as though I've got a good grasp on what I have been presented with thus far. My program is not easy (none of them are), but it is by no means impossible. To me, it's just a matter of priorites (which is double-hard since we have a two year old son.) But you know, if it were easy, then everybody would do it.

As for the shear volume of material, it's like a professor of mine once said "If you throw enough mud on the wall, some of it will stick."

In grad school, it goes without saying that grades are important. Everybody knows that if you don't have at least a 3.0 gpa, your are excused from the program. This simple fact is my incentive to make good grades, but achieving my goal of becoming a CRNA is what drives me. I new before starting school that this is what I wanted to do, but now that I'm in, I have no doubt that this is for me; it's fun, hard, stimulating and it's very humbling. And you know what's extra cool? We are all as one through the AANA and I hope that all SRNAs realize the utmost importance that is to our profession.

Happy Holidays

-Gump

aRNnAR · Dec 8, 2004

Thanks for all your input. Can you guys tell me which schools have integrated programs. I think I would like this type vs frontloaded and I want to do some early research on them...

the Arkansas State University

jewelcutt · Dec 8, 2004

I think that there is a real variety of front loaded programs to begin with. UD Mercy has a front loaded program where you don't start clinical until second semester and I believe it's one day a week, I think of this as a semi frontloaded program. I've heard of other programs where you have nothing but class for a whole year! I'm in an integrated program and though I feel more comfortable every day in the OR and couldn't imagine only being in clinical 1 year rather than 2, there are still times when I haven't learned something in class and it's frustrating. I think preceptors are helpful also rather than sticking you with someone new everytime.

blee1 · Dec 8, 2004

Jewelcutt - what program are you in?

Thanks so much for everyones help, this board is AMAZING!

Passin' Gas · Dec 10, 2004

When are classes and exams scheduled? Is there consideration of clinical scheduling and exams, i.e. day 'off' from clinical day before exam? Do you have to go to class at 1600 for three hours after being in clinical since 0600? How difficult is it to study pain pathways, pulmonary physiology, and pharmacology after a 10-12h day in clinical? And what about call schedules...how soon do you take call? Are you required to be in class at 0800 after getting off a 16h clinical shift from 1500-0700 (and, of course, you never even saw the call room)?

Both ways are challenging...just trying to bring in some other issues to the discussion.

PG

heartICU · Dec 10, 2004

When are classes and exams scheduled? Is there consideration of clinical scheduling and exams, i.e. day 'off' from clinical day before exam? Do you have to go to class at 1600 for three hours after being in clinical since 0600? How difficult is it to study pain pathways, pulmonary physiology, and pharmacology after a 10-12h day in clinical? And what about call schedules...how soon do you take call? Are you required to be in class at 0800 after getting off a 16h clinical shift from 1500-0700 (and, of course, you never even saw the call room)?
Both ways are challenging...just trying to bring in some other issues to the discussion.
PG

Classes and exams are scheduled during the week, same as clinicals. (A couple days of clinicals, a couple days of class). The people in charge of clinicals are also in charge of class, so they know when we have exams, etc. Occasionally we have the day off before exams (many exams are on Mondays), and you can always take PTO the day before. At least this semester, we either have class or clinical on a given day, not both. Not sure about future semesters. We take call after 4 months in the program...I started in August and my first call is in January. We have the day off post call, and we are usually not scheduled to be on call the night before class unless it cannot be helped.

After being 1:1 with a CRNA for 7 months, we go 2:1 (supervised by a CRNA or staff anesthesiologist), still while going to class 1-2 days per week.

Passin' Gas · Dec 10, 2004

and you can always take PTO the day before.

Thanks for the response, heartICU. PTO...PAID time off?? Was that a Freudian slip?

TraumaNurse · Dec 11, 2004

PTO! That is funny. It will be NICE to see a pay check again, I've almost forgotten what it is like.

My program is also integrated. Currently, we are in class 2 days a week and clinical 2 days. In January, I will have 1 day classes, 3 days clinical and a rotating day off. We will also have evening classes 2 days a week, so we will have to go from OR at 3pm to class at 4:30pm. We will also be starting 16 hour weekday call and 24 hr weekend call. The nights we are in class we do not have to show up to call until 8:30. Other than evening classes, they do not make us take call either the night before class day or the night of class day. (This is new this year..students before me did not have it so good!). Since our exams will be on our full class day, we will not be on-call the night before.

Personally, I like being in an integrated program (I only applied to integrated programs). It can be tough at times, since we know so little, but all our MDAs and CRNAs are excellent, very aware of our level and supportive to let us progress and gain more independence. The upside is that I get to apply knowledge as I learn it and many times I have seen it before I learn about it in class so when we are given a lecture, we refer back to our experience and it makes more sense. On Monday, we finish our "Regional" lectures and practice lab. At the end of next week, I will likely be placing my first epidural catheter. It's very exciting and provides instant gratification for all the hard studying.

I agree there are pros and cons to both integrated and front-loaded programs. For my learning style, I am glad I chose integrated. My 0.2 cents.

heartICU · Dec 11, 2004

Thanks for the response heartICU. PTO...[i']PAID[/i] time off?? Was that a Freudian slip?

Haha....no actually we do get paid time off. Granted, it is part of our monthly stipend (28 days of PTO per year), so the hourly rate isn't very high....but you are able to request a day off and not lose any of your stipend:-)