2 semesters down at TWU (Texas Wesleyan) CRNA program, ask away!

BOOSTISADRUG · May 10, 2013

What apartments do you hear of students and yourself included living at that are in close proximity to the school and in a safe area? Also on the computer aspect of the program does everyone seem to use laptops or have you seen anyone utilizing an iPad for school purposes? Thanks for the help

SRNA1985 · May 10, 2013

I live in Copperfield Apartments and they are very affordable and about 15-20min drive from school. The school is located in the ghetto, so there is nothing that is close by worth mentioning... I have a couple friends living off henderson st. (downtown) but they pay around 1k-1.3K a month....! I pay 550. Ipads will not work for in class work but I do take notes and organize them into a final draft/pdf and then use my ipad to view them in color and for convenience. You have to have a laptop for class and all tests.

Boog179 · May 16, 2013

First off, thanks for doing this and answering these questions. It really helps people like me out to get as much info beforehand as possible.

1) Starting this summer at TWU and I'm shopping around for a new laptop ( kind of a computer tech junky here). I've got my mind set on a windows 8 ultrabook with touch screen, and I really like a couple of the convertible models that go back and forth from a full laptop to a tablet. My question is do you feel that being able to change back and forth from a traditional laptop to a tablet would be in any way beneficial during class?

2) Do any of the textbooks that we use come in an electronic version, and if so does it require that we pay extra for both a hardcopy and electronic medium?

3) From your opening post it sounds like the second half of the didactic phase has been more time intensive than the first. Do you feel that the program eases you in to things, or is it more like pucker-factor 5 from the first day onward.

Thanks again

amandanurse · May 19, 2013

Thanks for doing this. I am in the process of applying and reading your responses is answering a lot of questions for me.

1) what laptop in your opinion is best for class and studying? Have you found any other gadgets or iPhone apps to be especially beneficial for either class or studying? If so, what are they?

2) thanks for reviewing the class schedule. I found that helpfull when envisioning when I might be in class versus studying? Could you provide us with an example of how you organized your week? It seems that planning and organization of study time is important from day one.

3) I have been told by several people that the interview is KEY. Any suggestions for the actual interview? Were you awarded your first choice of clinical sites? Any advice on how to enhance my chances at my top clinical site?

manusko · May 19, 2013

@ Boostisadrug85
The best part of the program is how difficult it is but the amount of knowledge you obtain is 2nd to none. You may or may not know this so I will explain it anyways, but there are 2 types of CRNA programs. The first kind is a nursing based program (meaning the school has an RN program...etc). The second type is a health science based program (this school doesn't have any other RN type programs). TWU is a health science program meaning much less of the "sacred encounter bull crap" and much more "science, practice, knowledge" based curriculum. This type of school also usually has a small core of CRNA instructors but then specialized PhD prepared instructors for core classes such as Pharmacology, A&P, and Chemistry while nursing based programs often have CRNAs teaching these courses. TWU has this setup which means specialized people teaching their specialty, in turn this results in the best education you can receive, in my opinion.... Health Science programs also do not have to offer Doctorate CRNA program until 2020 something while all other nursing based programs have to be Dr prepared by 2014ish. Take that for what its worth but in my opinion this means that accreditations are not worried about the level of education at health science based CRNA programs, but again this is only MY OPINION!!
Labs are what they are where worth in RN school, they serve their purpose in getting you used to the enviroment and orienting you to the atmosphere you will be subjected to. They have nice anesthesia machines to practice on and the instructors are very knowledgeable in the lab.
Schedule in the 1st semester was 9am - 7pm w/ 2x 1hr breaks Mon, Wed, and Friday. Labs where on Tuesday and Thursdays every couple weeks. 2nd semester is 9am-4pm M, W, and 9-2ish on F. The schedule fluctuates but just know there isnt enough time in the week in the 2nd semester to study! lol
Future student advice would be study and learn to manage your time and responsibilities very quickly. Learn from each test and take the time to study the questions you missed and got correct and try to pin point the instructors style of testing and what the KEY points are in lecture material. Study at some point before each test with at least one partner and with someone else's notes to compare knowledge and concepts, this really helped me and my study partners.

The AANA has taken the position that all programs are to be DNP by 2025. I know you think your school is superior and that's great but just because other schools are making the move earlier probably has more to do with staying competitive with other programs and not necessarily due to your programs format. Also if the number one program VCU is now a DNP, then I'm sure it is not due to their inferior format.

SRNA1985 · May 20, 2013

The AANA has taken the position that all programs are to be DNP by 2025. I know you think your school is superior and that's great but just because other schools are making the move earlier probably has more to do with staying competitive with other programs and not necessarily due to your programs format. Also if the number one program VCU is now a DNP, then I'm sure it is not due to their inferior format.

Thanks for the reply, I was just explaining the differences in school formats that many people are unaware of when they apply to CRNA schools (I had no clue there was different types when I started at TWU). But in no way did I say that other school were inferior to other school. Yes I do feel that TWU is better than a few schools that my other SRNA friends are in, but I didnt mention those schools. I can only speak from my single school experience in comparison with my other friend's programs (Nursing based).

SRNA1985 · May 20, 2013

@ Boog179

1) No I dont feel that it will matter if you can convert your laptop into a tablet, this feature would be personal preference and I say go with it if you like it. There are many different ways to learn and take notes in class. Do what helps you the best and gives you the best advantage in lecture.

2) Yes many of the books are in electronic version, I didnt buy my books (they were given to me) so I didnt have an E-version. There is always PDF version of a ton of anesthesia books that you will prolly be able to get your hands on when you start the program (free).

3) Yes they ease you into the 2nd semester but its still hard and intense when compared to the first. You will be fine just manage your time well and study as much as you can. You will find what works for you and since all the lectures are available on streaming video it will allow you to be somewhat lazy at first...

SRNA1985 · May 20, 2013

@Amandanurse

1) I use a MacBook Air and it is great, but I am the only one in my class who uses an Air (everyone else uses the Pro). I say get what you like and what you are most familiar with to help ease the learning process and note taking.

2) Monday Wednesday Friday - I get to my apt and re-listen the A&P lecture and tweak my in-lecture notes and add needed pictures and drawings that might have been done in lecture.

Tuesday Thursday Sat Sun - workout till 8am then drive to school and study from about 9am - 5pm each of these days no matter what. Many of you tests in the second semester are within a few days of each other. This means after you take an Exam you will need to go home and start studying for the next exam....

3) I will post a very extended explanation for this answer in a few days. To answer the question about getting you #1 site: The schools ranks you from 1-120 or however many ppl are accepted into the program, if you rank number 1 then you get your 1 site pic, if you are ranked 10 and your 1 site is filled then you get 2 site and so on.... The only way this is changed is IF your site REQUESTS you to attend clinicals at their site, this happens for RNs that may have worked at this hospital or did an extensive amount of time shadowing CRNAs at this site. Other wise the only way to get your site is to score high in the application process and ace the interview!

amandanurse · May 20, 2013

Thanks so much for your reply. I attempted to PM you but was unable to do so because I do not have the required "15 quality posts." While my grades are competitive, particularly in science, I don't expect to be ranked in the top ten. Maybe I am being under confident but I would expect most applicants to have excellent grades, good GRE, CCRN as well as good references. Seems like a grat deal of placement will depend on who is requesting what facility in a given year. If you do find time to elaborate on your answer in a few days I would appreciate it. Best of luck to you with your studies!

CRNA84 · May 22, 2013

@ Boostisadrug85
The best part of the program is how difficult it is but the amount of knowledge you obtain is 2nd to none. You may or may not know this so I will explain it anyways, but there are 2 types of CRNA programs. The first kind is a nursing based program (meaning the school has an RN program...etc). The second type is a health science based program (this school doesn't have any other RN type programs). TWU is a health science program meaning much less of the "sacred encounter bull crap" and much more "science, practice, knowledge" based curriculum. This type of school also usually has a small core of CRNA instructors but then specialized PhD prepared instructors for core classes such as Pharmacology, A&P, and Chemistry while nursing based programs often have CRNAs teaching these courses. TWU has this setup which means specialized people teaching their specialty, in turn this results in the best education you can receive, in my opinion.... Health Science programs also do not have to offer Doctorate CRNA program until 2020 something while all other nursing based programs have to be Dr prepared by 2014ish. Take that for what its worth but in my opinion this means that accreditations are not worried about the level of education at health science based CRNA programs, but again this is only MY OPINION!!

Based upon your attendance at TWU, I would assume you are speaking of TCU. This might not be the case, but a discussion on TCU will suffice due to it being one of the "nursing" based programs of which you speak. Very little of what you said is fact, or even close to fact. I'll try to clear some things up before you skew the minds of the impressionable. You make an effort to differentiate between a "health science" program and a "nursing" program. You state that health science programs are based on science, practice, and knowledge and have non-CRNA specialists teaching many courses. You state that this is not the case in "nursing" based programs. First of all, the TCU Nurse Anesthesia program is a part of the Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences. There are divisions within the college. Two of those divisions are nursing and nurse anesthesia. You see, they are two completely separate entities. Second, all nurse anesthesia programs teach science, practice, and knowledge. To say one doesn't without having attended said university would be foolish. However, we must remember that we were once, and still remain, nurses. This is what sets us apart from our physician counterparts. It's what we have to offer that they don't. It should never be discounted. Finally, you say that "health science" based programs are unique in that they have non-CRNA specialists teaching certain courses. "Nursing" based programs are no different. TCU has a non-CRNA, 36 year tenure, PhD biology professor that teaches all anatomy classes. A non-CRNA, PhD chemistry professor teaches the chemistry course. Interestingly, we are also one of the few programs with a MD anesthesiologist on staff. Advanced pharmacology is taught by a RN with a PhD in cellular and molecular pharmacoloy.

You also state that "health science" based programs don't have to go DNP until 2025, while "nursing" based programs must go DNP by 2014. False again. All CRNA educational programs must be DNP by 2025. There is no difference in the setting of the program. Some programs seek to beat that deadline. The powers that be set the requirement for a reason. Surely, they see the DNP degree as a benefit to the nurse anesthetist. That said, if a program can offer the degree in an earlier timeframe, wouldn't that be a benefit?

The only objective way to measure an anesthesia program's efficacy is through examination of average certifying exam scores and pass rates. Let me give you some objective data. The latest comparable data available from both school's website is 2011.

National pass rate on 1st attempt= 89%

National average score= 502

TCU posts their data in numbers while TWU makes it a little more difficult by using a bar graph, but I'll give a general observation.

TCU pass rate 1st attempt=97%

TCU average score=517

TWU pass rate 1st attempt= somewhere around 85-86%

TWU average score= appears to be 88-89% of the national average.

Do I think one school is better than the other? No. All CRNA programs are certified by the same agency and must meet the same standards. I haven't been to TWU so I can't offer a subjective analysis. However, as a nurse seeking to return to graduate school, prospective students should review facts from each university. Subjective information plays a role also. As current graduate students, however, one must ensure that objective information stated in a public forum is fact. There is little to no objective data that separates a "nursing" based program from a "health science" based program.

manusko · May 23, 2013

My school is one of those touchy feely nurse based programs. It was a shock considering this is a nurse based profession. My program also has physicians teaching many of our courses as well as CRNAs and a Pharm-D teaching all pharmacology and some of the chemistry.

Also maybe you guys can answer besides the board failure percentages, what is the percent of students who start the program to those who actually sit for boards? Someone told me it was not very good but I don't have the stats.

SRNA1985 · May 23, 2013

Wow this post has turned into something that was taken the wrong way.... I mean no disrespect to any school nursing or health-science. I posted on here to help people and to inform people. I am sad to see that it has turned into some sort of shouting match and a twisting of my words into a platform for others to make accusations. For those that are informed and helped by this post, good. This is my last post on this site for I have no time to sit and argue or debate schools. And to answer CRNA84 I was not speaking of TCU, I know no one from that school. Good luck to everyone getting into CRNA school.