SRNA drop out rates

gravitycure · Jun 13, 2004

i've heard the dropout at barry is high because they take in too many students with so few professors. i know 3 who left the program and went elsewhere for that reason. basic complaint was they were more about the $$ than anything.

gc.

Athlein1 · Jun 13, 2004

I think 10% is the average. It varies with the program, of course. Consider that 10% of 50 person class is only five students, though. Given the nature of the program, it's not unexpected. Thinking of the students that have not completed my program, here are their reasons (which may or may not be the actual reasons, mind you, just what was handed down the grapevine):

1. coursework was too intellectually challenging (studied, but didn't have the capacity to work at that level)

2. did not put the time into studying (worked and had a family) and did not pass final exams

3. decided anesthesia was not for them once clinical started

4. decided that they did not want to have a career with the stress and responsibility of a CRNA

5. lost interest in nursing/medicine altogether and decided to move out of the medical field

I don't know anyone who has dropped out because they just didn't like their program. I know there are some miserable programs out there, and my heart goes out to those that get trapped in them, but students seem to stick it out. Those that drop out for those reasons probably have solid motivation for doing so. After the effort it takes to get in, no one wants to withdraw!

sonessrna · Jun 13, 2004

To all the current SRNA and CRNAs, what is the average drop out rate for your program. I plan on attending Barry university in Miami in the next few years and have heard there is a 10% drop out rate. Is this high, average? What are the common reasons for drop out? Too stressful or hard? Thanks!

I think the bigger the program the higher the drop out rate. I have heard that some schools take on more students than they are planning on graduating and then they weed them out. I don't know which schools these are...and I will admit that information came from my program director (biased opinion possibly). I think sometimes people run into things like money issues or pregnancy tht just makes it impossible to do. Other people find the committment (i mean imprisonment) to much to handle.

duckboy20 · Jun 16, 2004

I too would concur with the 10% dropout/failout rate. I attend one of the larger programs and it holds true with us as well. I would disagree that larger programs accept a lot and then try to weed people out. One of the main reasons is that there are hundreds of qualified people who apply and get denied every year who would do great in anesthesia school. There are just those also who are very qualified and look good in interview and application who just cannot hang with the rigors of anesthesia school. Nothing against them, just some people cannot do it.

I would ignore the failout rate, unless it is rediculously high, and go with the mindset that you are gonna pass and you are gonna bust your butt to do so. Good luck to you!

alansmith52 · Jun 16, 2004

if you really want it your not going to fail out. I mean if you are hungry and scared you will do everything possible and it will serve you well.

as far as "over admiting" I don't belive it. we have many(10%) clinical spots in our program that will go unfilled next year ( and i am just guessing here) there is no insentive for a program to leave one of its affilated primary sites unfilled. infact those sites are counting on the bodies when they don't come I would wager it strains the relationship some.

at my school I think the opposite was true I think they (the instructors) we're doing everything they could to keep as many students as possible.

athomas91 · Jun 16, 2004

I think the bigger the program the higher the drop out rate. I have heard that some schools take on more students than they are planning on graduating and then they weed them out. I don't know which schools these are...and I will admit that information came from my program director (biased opinion possibly).

i disagree with this...(just my 2 cents) - most programs would not benefit at all from a "weed out" mentality....i mean - it isn't like an undergrad program where someone can take your place in the middle of your first year - they would just have to progress one student down - that is alot of tuition lost...i am sure it happens - but i would bet it isn't common...

zrmorgan · Jul 21, 2004

i've heard the dropout at barry is high because they take in too many students with so few professors. i know 3 who left the program and went elsewhere for that reason. basic complaint was they were more about the $$ than anything.
gc.

FL CRNA...

despite what rumors may be circulating out there from people outside the program, I can set the record straight on Barry. The simple fact about the people who have not continued in our program was that they 1) were not prepared for the time investment involved, 2) had a negative outlook about the cost/benefit from the anesthesia school experience, or 3) discovered that they were not interested in the subject matter after the fact.

there has never been a time when I felt access to a professor was difficult due to the size of our class. the faculty are very approachable, and are available. Rarely when I seek help from the professors do I have someone standing in front of me during their office hours.

the director, and faculty at Barry have taken on an ambitious endevour to increase the size of the program to meet the demands of Florida, and the country for competant nurse anesthetists. It has not been their goal to "weed" anyone out, in fact, they bend over backwards for people who are enthusiastic about anesthesia. They do keep their standards high, however, like the rest of the programs, and unfortunately some people cannot continue.

This is like the rest of the programs in the country.

I might be concerned about programs that exceed the standard deviation from the national attrition rate average on both sides, Barry does not exceed this, which says a lot about a large program.

I dont know what the crap is about "being more about the $$" is...does this mean tuition? It is roughly the same for any private school, or out of state program. Yeah, I have to pay tuition. Yeah, I have to buy my books. What am I missing here? I think that is a lame form of Freudian projection for someones failure.

No matter where you choose to go FL CRNA, my best advice would be to remain positive, no matter how tough it gets. Besides, from the sounds of it, you have done your research, and know this is really what you want to do no matter what it takes.

As far as Barry goes, don't beleive the hype from people who either are not in the program, or may have a sour taste in their mouth after not continuing the program.

srnahusband · Jul 22, 2004

Z

I agree with you on points 1,2,3, the professors are approchable although not all in the same location and sometimes they seem not to be the most diplomatic.....I don't need to remind you that people were drawn out of a hat to be sent to the Orlando clinical site without consideration of their ties here in the community (Mortgages, Kids in School....). Also it seems like there have been alot of issues with the network connecting the different clinical sites which led to cancellations of class and in my opinion a sub-standard learning experience (not quite worth the money either). Then again those might just be momentary hickups that occured through the rapid increase in class size and will be fixed soon. All in all I believe that Barry is a great program that will keep turning out great CRNA's.

I agree fully with Z and so many other people on this board that it is YOU that has to be 100% ready to enter a program, to give up parts/most of your life, in order to suceed. If you are not willing and ready, you are likely to become the statistic everybody is asking about.

Know that you will have to put up with a lot, and at the end, you will get 4 little letters that give will give you a great paycheck, great benefits, greater autonomy, more respect and better work conditions.

zrmorgan · Jul 22, 2004

Z
I agree with you on points 1,2,3, the professors are approchable although not all in the same location and sometimes they seem not to be the most diplomatic.....I don't need to remind you that people were drawn out of a hat to be sent to the Orlando clinical site without consideration of their ties here in the community (Mortgages, Kids in School....). Also it seems like there have been alot of issues with the network connecting the different clinical sites which led to cancellations of class and in my opinion a sub-standard learning experience (not quite worth the money either). Then again those might just be momentary hickups that occured through the rapid increase in class size and will be fixed soon. All in all I believe that Barry is a great program that will keep turning out great CRNA's.
I agree fully with Z and so many other people on this board that it is YOU that has to be 100% ready to enter a program, to give up parts/most of your life, in order to suceed. If you are not willing and ready, you are likely to become the statistic everybody is asking about.
Know that you will have to put up with a lot, and at the end, you will get 4 little letters that give will give you a great paycheck, great benefits, greater autonomy, more respect and better work conditions.

lol...you don't need to remind me about the draft, I understand that sort of sacrifice first hand, although it was stressful, I was aware of the potential before the first day of class. however 61/63 people in the program get their first or second choice of clinical that they pick? Hmm, that seems pretty nice...but maybe I am just a polyanna.

BTW, I am sitting in Orlando watching the Biochem lecture live in Miami now. The network problems are fixed. The classroom here smells like a new car. At the beginning of the semester,there were some difficulties, but so far my grades have only improved since arriving here. Dont know what other people would be experiencing. Do you know someone here in Orlando crnahusband?

srnahusband · Jul 23, 2004

I guess it all depends on the perspective. 61/63 does not look too bad if you are from out of town and don't care where you rent your apartment....if you are from Miami applied to the school in town since you have your house down here and your kids are going to school here, it seems to look a little different. But that's just my opinion. And again this situation is settled, clinicals are well on their way and it seems like the communications problem is fixed as well.

What I'm trying to say here is that not all is perfect, all the time, no matter which program you'll attend. That is especially true over the course of 24,27 or even 36 months. Barry is no different then any other program in that regards. Make sure you take all your information with a grain of salt especially coming from people that forever which reason are not in the program anymore. Barry is a great program as 60+ people would probably attest you. Just learn to roll with the blows and you will end up with the C& the A.

zrmorgan · Jul 23, 2004

I agree, and would advise prospective students that the politicts between the schools and clinical sites is complicated, sometimes you as a student may be trapped in the middle, and may be asked to be flexible. If you are planning on anesthesia school, and you have a family, remember your stakes will be a lot higher when you need to be flexible...so prepare your family...prepare for the best case, and the worst case scenarios. This will minimize (not eliminate) the stress.

As far as owning a home, have kids in school, have a spouse with a job, I would suggest communicating extensively with your family about the possibilities of having to relocate on short notice. Your family will be just as, or even more stressed than you when you are in the program, and they need to be part of the team for your success.

Assets such as your home, should take a back seat unfortunately, but selling it, renting it, or using its equity can help you with the finances. It is a thing...you can buy a new one when you are done...I do understand you have to get your family to agree with that.

...but I am rambling....and off the thread topic....