Thoughts on CRNA school rankings: UPenn vs VCU

[VictoriaKristin]

Wondering thoughts on UPenn's Program vs VCU's? I know VCU is ranked #1 but how do you think it compares overall to UPenn? Recently accepted to both and trying to make a difficult decision!

[Asherah, BSN, RN]

USN&WR rankings should not be a consideration. The factors that determined why you applied to programs such as clinical hours/cases acquired historically, board pass rates, attrition, testimonials from current/former students are the factors that I would focus on.

I never considered Penn for this reason...pure insanity if you ask me.

"36 month program costs (34 CU program): $218,595"

Congratulations on your acceptances though! Perhaps I'll see you at VCU!

[loveanesthesia]

The US news rankings are meaningless. I wouldn’t consider them at all.

[VictoriaKristin]

So do you feel like an Ivy League school would carry more weight than the US news rankings?

[Asherah, BSN, RN]

I feel like @loveanesthesia and @BigPappaCRNA should chime in here. I would say, absolutely not. Neither would matter to me. Those two categories don't guarantee that they produce a well-prepared CRNA.

[loveanesthesia]

I guess it depends on what you’re looking for. As far as clinical anesthesia Ivy League doesn’t mean anything. In fact those schools can’t get students 10 peripheral nerve blocks. The physician residency is the priority, not the nurse anesthesia students. It’s not the best place to become an independent CRNA. But at a cocktail party, Ivy League sounds impressive.

[VictoriaKristin]

Of course it doesn’t dictate a well prepared CRNA in it of itself- there are plenty of other factors that make both programs quite successful. Just throwing that differentiating one out there.
I think both programs get their students great experiences- hence my difficultly in making a decision! Thanks so much for your input though I appreciate it.

[loveanesthesia]

The most important factor in becoming a great CRNA is the individual student. A highly motivated student can overcome a lot. Those schools are good didactically and with simulation. Not twice as good as other schools, but they are solid. It’s the clinical experience allowed for students where their weakness is. And they don’t have to improve because they’re the Ivy League.

[Defibn', RN, EMT-P]

12 hours ago, loveanesthesia said:

at a cocktail party, Ivy League sounds impressive

Winning a .... measuring contest at at cocktail party is always fun though

[BigPappaCRNA]

Being from an "IVY" league school, at least for CRNA, is just meaningless. Just does not matter at all. The actual hands on, clinical training from the Ivy league schools is just not what one would get at other schools. It just does not open any doors, at least in the land of CRNAs. Honestly, I would attend VCU 1000 times before attending any of the IVY league schools. Sorry.

[VictoriaKristin]

Wouldn't agree that its meaningless- both are great programs hence the difficulty in making a decision. Thanks for the input!

[Nursegrape7000, BSN, RN]

I don’t know much about Penn but I have colleagues who have been through VCU. If I were still living down that way, they would be my only choice. Richmond is a really nice place to live as well.