University of New England CRNA (2018)

Robin185, BSN · Mar 30, 2019

Hi everyone!

I'm in the process of applying for UNE and I'm wondering if some of you alumni can tell me. How much choice did you get in where your clinicals will be held? There are a ton of clinical sites - are you generally located in one region, or are you expected to travel? Thanks!

Robin185, BSN · May 2, 2019

On 10/31/2017 at 10:42 AM, Hubbysanurse said:
My husband is currently at UNE and will graduate in September. Yes, you will have to move. You get to list preferences, but hardly anyone got their preference. There are people that got sent to Baltimore, to VT..etc. if you have questions, feel free to ask away!

Hey! I'm currently applying for the 2020 start date. I'm wondering if you can tell me more about clinical rotations? Where did you have to move, and for how long? Is there any way to choose where you'll end up? Thanks for your help!

Sara D. · May 5, 2019

Hi Robin!

First of all, good luck w/ your application, it's a very exciting time!

I am currently in UNE's MSNA program, Class of 2020. Honestly, clinical rotations are a bit stressful, although not as much as didactics were. Initially, we had a massive list of sites to choose from, they tell you to pick your top 6-8 sites & essentially cross your fingers after that. Johns Hopkins in Baltimore is one of our sites, but most people who go there CHOOSE to go there. The fact of the matter is, once the sites are assigned, that's it. If you didn't get your choices, well...we're all adults here, and we all made the decision to pursue this career path, no matter the sacrifice it would take, unfortunately. The director does TRY to place you where you'd prefer, but honestly, she fits the site to the student based on academic success, personality, and flexibility. Once it starts, we've just got to buckle up and ride it out. For instance, I'm from CT but I commuted to Portland weekly & lived up there part-time for 6.5 months during didactics. As of this past Monday I started my 2nd NH rotation, and once again, I'm commuting weekly, living part-time out of state & coming home to the hubby on the weekends. The program director has recently said, and I quote, "This is the hardest thing you'll ever do in your life...it's even harder than obtaining a doctorate degree..." Point blank. If you want it bad enough, put your nose to the grind stone and keep pushing. Don't forget, it's only temporary.

Best of luck moving forward!

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crl12 · May 8, 2019

Hi Sara,

Thanks so much for posting about your experience. I'm getting ready to apply to UNE's CRNA program this summer (May 2020 start). I was just curious what the didactic portion was like? I know its a lot of information packed into a short amount of time, did you find there to be a lot of chemistry and physics? I don't have any chemistry or physics courses under my belt but I will be taking UNE's biochem class this summer, did you find that to help at all?

Also did you find your time in the ICU to help a lot in the didactic portion of the program or mostly just the clinical aspect? If you were to go back to when you were applying, what would you have done to prepare? Knowing what you know now.

Thanks again for all the info you posted so far, it really helps to gain more perspective on what to expect.

Thanks, Tip

Robin185, BSN · May 8, 2019

5 hours ago, crl12 said:
Hi Sara,
Thanks so much for posting about your experience. I'm getting ready to apply to UNE's CRNA program this summer (May 2020 start). I was just curious what the didactic portion was like? I know its a lot of information packed into a short amount of time, did you find there to be a lot of chemistry and physics? I don't have any chemistry or physics courses under my belt but I will be taking UNE's biochem class this summer, did you find that to help at all?
Also did you find your time in the ICU to help a lot in the didactic portion of the program or mostly just the clinical aspect? If you were to go back to when you were applying, what would you have done to prepare? Knowing what you know now.
Thanks again for all the info you posted so far, it really helps to gain more perspective on what to expect.
Thanks, Tip

Just a heads up - I also had no chem classes under my belt & UNE requires chem 1, 2, and organic chem before you take their biochem class. It's a lot!

Sara D. · May 8, 2019

Didactics for a master's in anesthesia...that's something that gives me palpitations just trying to describe, LOL! 6 courses at a time, for 2 semesters straight...Advanced Patho, Advanced Phys, Advanced Pharm, Basics of Anesth (the 1st few wks are a fast & furious Chem/Orgo/Biochem review), Professional Aspects of Anesth & a Research course. There definitely are a lot of chem concepts that you need to have under your belt, so if you've never taken Gen Chem, Organic Chem, or Biochem, you honestly have a lot of work ahead of you. I refreshed each and every one of the above over the course of 3 yrs prior to applying. I did not take UNE's online Biochem (I do better in classroom settings), but essentially it's all the same material, just self taught w/ an online course. Physic isn't a pre-req, but there are some core concepts that apply. And yes, not only did taking (and refreshing) those courses help, they are ESSENTIAL to being an anesthesia provider.

In my opinion, ICU experience is an absolute necessity. I worked in the open heart ICU for 4.5 yrs prior to my acceptance -- it most certainly primes you to be an independent practitioner, as you must be able to rely on your own skill set, techniques & knowledge of patho, phys, pharm, etc.

I can't say that I'd do anything differently other than starting sooner! I was a late bloomer to the anesthesia world, but my experience a bit unique, so I can honestly say that I wouldn't change a thing about how I prepared for this journey. (Prior to nursing I spent 15 yrs in the veterinary field, w/ many of those yrs providing anesthesia. One of our clients happened to be a CRNA, and after a very intense & excited conversation about anesthesia, I ended up shadowing her once, immediately applying to and started nursing school 3 months later, and the rest is history!)

Glad I can help!

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crl12 · May 9, 2019

Thanks so much for the info. I think one of the scariest things about CRNA is that I don't fully know what to expect, and everyone I talk to tells me that its more work than you can possibly imagine. Which is scary and exciting at the same time.

Based on your info, I will definitely make sure to take O-chem prior to starting school, as well as Biochem. Did you find the review of chem/Ochem/Biochem to be a review of information that is pertinent to practice? Like, were you having to do crazy long math equations common in chemistry, or was it more just for things that would be clinically applicable to anesthesia?

Also, are you happy with the UNE program? That program is currently my top choice.

Thanks again for taking the time to share. I know you probably have a million things going on while on clinicals.

crl12 · May 9, 2019

18 hours ago, Robin185 said:
Just a heads up - I also had no chem classes under my belt & UNE requires chem 1, 2, and organic chem before you take their biochem class. It's a lot!

Thanks for the heads up!. I actually contacted the school to see if I could attend the biochem 1005 course without taking the full list of prereqs, based off of portions of courses that I have taken over the years that covered some chem. They said that would be ok. Im hoping to start this summer. Any tips of being successful in the Biochem 1005 UNE online course?

Sara D. · May 10, 2019

Trust me, nobody has any idea what they're getting into w/ this type of program until suddenly you're knee deep in it. That being said, yes, I am happy w/ UNE.

The chem review is VERY pertinent to practice. It solidifies core concepts that are the basic foundation for anesthesia -- and yes, there were equations. I found that b/c I had refreshed those courses w/in 1-2 yrs prior to beginning the MSNA program, I had a better grasp of the concepts than I would have if I had never taken said courses, or if they were 5-7 yrs out. I didn't take their online Biochem course, so I don't have any tips for you there. Just be sure to put 150% into EVERY class that you take from this point forward...it'll prove your determination to succeed.

crl12 · May 11, 2019

Thanks @Sara D.

Ok, based on your feedback, I will definitely continue on with the general chemistry.

Did you find the chemistry/pharmacology harder than the advanced physiology/patho?

Thanks again for all your feedback, and best of luck with the rest of your clinicals. It must be so fun to be using all the knowledge/skills that you've been working so hard to learn. I can't wait to be in your shoes!

Sara D. · May 11, 2019

Of all the courses, I personally found phys to be the most challenging.

Good luck w/ everything.

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ilabchocolates · May 24, 2019

Hi Sara D.

Thanks for sharing your experience. If it’s okay, can you give us some insights on how the interview is conducted and what to expect?

that will be very beeneficial. Thanks and god bless ?