Selecting a CRNA school

[as1013]

Can any SRNA/CRNA attest to the quality of the clinical education provided by your program or others?

I haven't seen this topic discussed recently or conversations are more in general about what to look for in a school vs. naming specific schools that provide high quality clinical experiences.

I've gathered a potential school should stress independence, have CRNA only/military rotations, large amount of regional blocks (>100), average >10 central line insertions, etc.

Furthermore, I was shocked to find out that some schools send students to sites that don't allow SRNAs to perform epidurals/spinals or not allowed to perform lines. I've even heard of situations that programs tell students to count simulated central line insertions and if you watched someone else do the procedure.

[doubleA]

I was accepted into CRNA recently.

Some points to consider when applying:

1.) Is this the right school for me? Meet or beat admission requirements? How far out are clinical sites? How soon do you start clinical? Do you have to move? Program length/cost?

2.) Are you ready for the hardship of anesthesia school? Mentally/financially?

3.) Nursing background. Do you feel prepared as an ICU nurse for a demanding clinical experience.

4.) Obvious stuff: need your GRE for most schools, PALS, ACLS, BLS, CCRN is a plus

To answer the question. Pick a school that fits YOU and during the interview ask the questions you stated. It is hard to know if/how many blocks and lines you will get unless you ask. Most if not all anesthesia skills have a minimum that must be completed for program completion.

good link: Should SRNAs be allowed to count simulations?