TWU vs MS

mh0712, MSN, RN · Dec 2, 2014

When deciding between a DNP and MSN program you need to look at what the market will be wanting and needing in the coming years. DNP is what I chose since my career in anesthesia will span roughly 40 years and by then the DNP will be the standard. TWU is a good school, but clinical time is nothing compared to Murray State. You can look on COA and Murray State has some crazy high clinical time hours, which really impressed me. I am in their DNP program and you will be the second anesthesia cohort for the DNP if accepted. I would chose Murray State since your first year you can continue to work and do classes online without having to move and this enables you to save more. Also, TWU financial budget is a little less than Murray so if you plan on living on loans, Murray is the better choice. Also, 8 more months is not that much considering most MSN-DNP programs are a two year $30,000 plus investment. For me the choice was simple, but it will all depends on what you want and need in life. Also, one more thing I am going to mention. Murray is a small class and they plan on passing everyone---TWU takes enough that they do weed some out with their pre anesthesia classes. Also, I feel smaller programs are more apt to work and help you versus larger programs that cannot do much for individual students due to the volume that they are working with. Let me know if you have any other questions. Hope this helps =)

mmlpn · Dec 2, 2014

When deciding between a DNP and MSN program you need to look at what the market will be wanting and needing in the coming years. DNP is what I chose since my career in anesthesia will span roughly 40 years and by then the DNP will be the standard. TWU is a good school, but clinical time is nothing compared to Murray State. You can look on COA and Murray State has some crazy high clinical time hours, which really impressed me. I am in their DNP program and you will be the second anesthesia cohort for the DNP if accepted. I would chose Murray State since your first year you can continue to work and do classes online without having to move and this enables you to save more. Also, TWU financial budget is a little less than Murray so if you plan on living on loans, Murray is the better choice. Also, 8 more months is not that much considering most MSN-DNP programs are a two year $30,000 plus investment. For me the choice was simple, but it will all depends on what you want and need in life. Also, one more thing I am going to mention. Murray is a small class and they plan on passing everyone---TWU takes enough that they do weed some out with their pre anesthesia classes. Also, I feel smaller programs are more apt to work and help you versus larger programs that cannot do much for individual students due to the volume that they are working with. Let me know if you have any other questions. Hope this helps =)

Thanks for the reply!! I was not thrilled with the class size of TWU at first either but when I interviewed I found that my actual class size would only be around 6-10 students. Although the entire graduating class is around 100, each clinical satellite has it's own small group of students whom I would consider my "classmates" for the entire journey. I am also with you in the regards of the DNP. Whether I choose Murray or Texas, I will complete the Doctorate. I favor TWU's curriculum more so than Murray's and I can also work as a CRNA while I complete my DNAP rather than having to complete Murray's entire doctorate before being able to receive a paycheck. Murray is closer to home and I know quite a few who have graduated from there and I know absolutely zero CRNAs that have attended TWU. One thing that did worry me about Murray was I know they did a little spring cleaning a few years back after they had a very low pass rate. I haven't actually spoke with any students that have attended since the new curriculum and faculty changes. I guess you could attain to this and it sounds like you are. Happy with your choice.. I am happy with any information you can give me, my interview is coming up on the 5th and 6th of December. As much as I would like having the option of picking which school I wanted, I guess if Murray turns me down I'll have an easy decision to make haha. I was also disappointed in the lack of clinical case loads with TWU. Many of the satellites are just over the minimum. I have tried to find how many cases SRNAs at Murray complete but could never find a straight answer. Add in the 3 month residency at the end of Murray's DNP and I'm sure it would go above and beyond. I believe the absolute most cases I would complete at TWU is around 1100 and that is at an Arkansas hospital which I don't plan on even applying for. It doesn't look like there are too many clinical hours in the DNAP aspect of their program either. How many clinical cases are you estimated to have by the end of the DNP??

icunurse1 · Dec 4, 2014

Which clinical site were you accepted into for TWU? My hospital in Denver (UCH) is one of their clinical sites, and the students that I talked to doing their rotations there absolutely love it! There are only 3 students at my hospital, but they all had nothing but good things to say and loved being able to satellite in to the classes. Granted, I know and have shadowed the clinical site director and she is AWESOME, so that does make a difference. I'm not sure how other sites are, but from what I've heard about my hospital's site, they love it! Hope that helps :)

mmlpn · Dec 4, 2014

Which clinical site were you accepted into for TWU? My hospital in Denver (UCH) is one of their clinical sites, and the students that I talked to doing their rotations there absolutely love it! There are only 3 students at my hospital, but they all had nothing but good things to say and loved being able to satellite in to the classes. Granted, I know and have shadowed the clinical site director and she is AWESOME, so that does make a difference. I'm not sure how other sites are, but from what I've heard about my hospital's site, they love it! Hope that helps :)

Thanks for the info. I've only spoke with a few current students and they've all been from different clinical sites. All have had very positive things to say so it's gonna come down to just picking on my own... I've got a few weeks left

mh0712, MSN, RN · Dec 7, 2014

Thanks for the reply!! I was not thrilled with the class size of TWU at first either but when I interviewed I found that my actual class size would only be around 6-10 students. Although the entire graduating class is around 100, each clinical satellite has it's own small group of students whom I would consider my "classmates" for the entire journey. I am also with you in the regards of the DNP. Whether I choose Murray or Texas, I will complete the Doctorate. I favor TWU's curriculum more so than Murray's and I can also work as a CRNA while I complete my DNAP rather than having to complete Murray's entire doctorate before being able to receive a paycheck. Murray is closer to home and I know quite a few who have graduated from there and I know absolutely zero CRNAs that have attended TWU. One thing that did worry me about Murray was I know they did a little spring cleaning a few years back after they had a very low pass rate. I haven't actually spoke with any students that have attended since the new curriculum and faculty changes. I guess you could attain to this and it sounds like you are. Happy with your choice.. I am happy with any information you can give me, my interview is coming up on the 5th and 6th of December. As much as I would like having the option of picking which school I wanted, I guess if Murray turns me down I'll have an easy decision to make haha. I was also disappointed in the lack of clinical case loads with TWU. Many of the satellites are just over the minimum. I have tried to find how many cases SRNAs at Murray complete but could never find a straight answer. Add in the 3 month residency at the end of Murray's DNP and I'm sure it would go above and beyond. I believe the absolute most cases I would complete at TWU is around 1100 and that is at an Arkansas hospital which I don't plan on even applying for. It doesn't look like there are too many clinical hours in the DNAP aspect of their program either. How many clinical cases are you estimated to have by the end of the DNP??

When it comes to your class size, it is 100; however, your clinical group is smaller. As far as cases go, MSU blows most schools out of the water. You definitely want that clinical experience. Also, you will pay more for TWU MSN and DNAP degree. Yet, I understanding the whole eight months of working sooner gives you more time to make money and develop clinical skills. I can see both sides of the coin, but I personally would look at the clinical experience. To me, that is what matters most. Yes, MSU did clean up some issues but they have a great program, but a few years ago TWU was looked at as a "less than favorable school" and had issues as well. COAs site says MSU students averaged 1350 cases last year and that is a lot compared to the minimum that most TWU sites push. In the end it all depends on what you want. I think TWU makes good CRNAs and so does MSU. My estimate for cases for my program will be between 1300-1500. Granted, that is my personal goal since I want to finish school and start practicing in a rural area versus going to an ACT practice. I wish you the best and remember you need to make the decision for yourself and no one else.

mmlpn · Dec 7, 2014

When it comes to your class size, it is 100; however, your clinical group is smaller. As far as cases go, MSU blows most schools out of the water. You definitely want that clinical experience. Also, you will pay more for TWU MSN and DNAP degree. Yet, I understanding the whole eight months of working sooner gives you more time to make money and develop clinical skills. I can see both sides of the coin, but I personally would look at the clinical experience. To me, that is what matters most. Yes, MSU did clean up some issues but they have a great program, but a few years ago TWU was looked at as a "less than favorable school" and had issues as well. COAs site says MSU students averaged 1350 cases last year and that is a lot compared to the minimum that most TWU sites push. In the end it all depends on what you want. I think TWU makes good CRNAs and so does MSU. My estimate for cases for my program will be between 1300-1500. Granted, that is my personal goal since I want to finish school and start practicing in a rural area versus going to an ACT practice. I wish you the best and remember you need to make the decision for yourself and no one else.

Thanks for the info!! I went for my MSU interview yesterday and it went really well. I got a lot of my questions answered and they explained their side of the lower pass rate a few years back. I also forgot that MSU allows you to continue working during your first year now that the first year is strictly the fluff classes and are all online. I feel the same way as you when it comes to case numbers. The more the better. And that was a big negative for me when it came to TWU just because I am a hands on learner much more so than via text and 650 case average compared to 1350 is a no-brainer. When I went to my MSU interview I was 80% sure I was going to pick TWU but now my feelings may be teetering in the other direction I am just weary of that 67% from a few years back. This could all very well be unneeded discussion as I have not officially been invited to attend MSU yet but I am feeling pretty confident about my interview so I guess I have a few days to make my decision. Thanks again for all of your info and I'll post on here again once I get my letter from MSU. They said possibly as early as 12/10....

mh0712, MSN, RN · Dec 7, 2014

Thanks for the info!! I went for my MSU interview yesterday and it went really well. I got a lot of my questions answered and they explained their side of the lower pass rate a few years back. I also forgot that MSU allows you to continue working during your first year now that the first year is strictly the fluff classes and are all online. I feel the same way as you when it comes to case numbers. The more the better. And that was a big negative for me when it came to TWU just because I am a hands on learner much more so than via text and 650 case average compared to 1350 is a no-brainer. When I went to my MSU interview I was 80% sure I was going to pick TWU but now my feelings may be teetering in the other direction I am just weary of that 67% from a few years back. This could all very well be unneeded discussion as I have not officially been invited to attend MSU yet but I am feeling pretty confident about my interview so I guess I have a few days to make my decision. Thanks again for all of your info and I'll post on here again once I get my letter from MSU. They said possibly as early as 12/10....

That first year is a little more difficult than "fluff classes", but they will be revising it more and more as time goes on. I still work full time and don't plan on stopping till next year. There is a big difference in a provider who has done the bare minimum and someone who has gone above and beyond. MSU trains you to be a rural anesthesia provider and that means working by yourself. MSU is a great school and so is TWU, but clinically speaking I would say MSU, due to numbers, outshines TWU. I know that MSU also has a dedicated pediatric rotation that many schools do not, and you simply pick up cases as you go along. As far as pass rates go, as long as you study and know the info, you will be fine. A few years ago TWU was in trouble too.

mmlpn · Dec 7, 2014

That first year is a little more difficult than "fluff classes", but they will be revising it more and more as time goes on. I still work full time and don't plan on stopping till next year. There is a big difference in a provider who has done the bare minimum and someone who has gone above and beyond. MSU trains you to be a rural anesthesia provider and that means working by yourself. MSU is a great school and so is TWU, but clinically speaking I would say MSU, due to numbers, outshines TWU. I know that MSU also has a dedicated pediatric rotation that many schools do not, and you simply pick up cases as you go along. As far as pass rates go, as long as you study and know the info, you will be fine. A few years ago TWU was in trouble too.

Yeah I didn't necessarily mean fluff as in easy. I meant fluff as in filler classes. Like theory and the ones that don't require a lab component. I'm sure they are still time consuming but hopefully it will allow me enough time outside of school to continue to maintain a steady paycheck. I actually just signed a weekend option contract in my CVICU so that would be excellent if I could keep my weekends free to work for the first year. Plus the added bonus of still maintaining my insurance.

mmlpn · Dec 7, 2014

I want to work in a major hospital after I get done just to gain as much experience as I can but eventually yes I would like to be in a smaller, rural hospital and be a lot more autonomous. I actually had thought about pediatric oncology but I spoke with a current MSU student at my interview yesterday that said once he shadowed Peds anesthesia his mind changed quite a bit and it was not what he had expected. But I've got years to figure that out. So are you at MSU? Or where are you going now?