texas crna's

Could any of you please tell me about the programs in Houston (Baylor & UT Health Sc. Center)? I have been looking into advanced practice careers after BSN, and anesthesia is very interesting. Is the program hard to get in, make it through, etc. Any details will be very helpful. I know that you have to have @ least 1 yr ICU experience, but do you recommend working in the area longer( how long?) to get as much experience as possible. Thank you.:)

I am currently looking to apply to both programs Baylor and UT this Dec '05. I have interviewed previously to Baylor and it was an eye opening experience because I really didn't know about the interview process. I gained an interview with only the bare minimum to apply(no certifications), and it hurt. Now I am much more prepared. I retook Chemistry through Org-Chem to refresh my mem and I now am obtaining my certs. I would definitely recommend working at least two years in a high intensity ICU such as CVICU. If you are in the Houston area, I would reccommend St. Luke's CVRR to start out. They have a great new-grad residency and the experience looks great on any app. In fact, many who work there often go to CRNA school.

Baylor likes a well rounded applicant, the interview takes all day (8 hours). You interview with 5 different staff and faculty. It is pretty greuling by the end of the day, but the SRNA's put together a happy hour for you at the end of the day. Their program prouds itself on its retention and your abilities learned (line placement, blocks etc.) Baylor also utilizes their gross anatomy lab available from their med school. In fact, your anatomy classes are taught with first year med students; lab is separate.

I do not know about the interview @UT because I did not have Org Chem under my belt to apply last term. However, I do know that they are not exactly known for their ability to retain students. The cost difference between the schools is huge. UT about $12,000 and Baylor $45,000. The requirements for admission are similar though. Both have great web sites. Baylor is easily found from the students section on the AANA website. The link to UT from AANA is bogus, but is does exist. For UT, go to UT-Houston from Yahoo and link through to the school of nursing then link to Academic Programs then to Nurse Anesthesia. Hope this helps you.

I am a SRNA at Baylor Houston. Baylor has one of the best programs in the country. It is well put together and very tough. As a student you have access to the human anatomy lab (which is lacking in the UT program), outstanding professors and various clinical sites. The program can become very overwhelming and you have to keep your eyes on the finish line or else.

The interviews will challenge you. But it is just a way to see how you react to different situations and uncomfortable surroundings. IT is hard!! But it is all worth it.

If you have any more questions just let me know, I can always find time to inspire someone.

To clarify, Darien, did you mean that many of the people who work in CVRR at St. Luke's end up going to Baylor or did you mean CVICU nurses in general?

To clarify, Darien, did you mean that many of the people who work in CVRR at St. Luke's end up going to Baylor or did you mean CVICU nurses in general?

Actually, what I said is that a lot of nurses from CVRR go to CRNA school, not specifically Baylor.

OP: use the PRE-CRNA FORUM.

PLEASE!