Which school to attend??

AlphaAgonist · Dec 5, 2013

Georgetown. Great reputation. Excellent clinical sites. Beautiful city. Pricey but when people see that as your alma mater it does impress.

bibibi · Dec 6, 2013

The one that is the most affordable as far as tuition and living expenses.

AlphaAgonist · Dec 6, 2013

Don't listen to people that say you should go to the most affordable school. Yes, you will have the same credentials as anyone who went to any other school. However, if you have the intelligence to go to a top, well respected university as Gtown take advantage of that. Most people who are saying that aren't Gtown material and are likely jealous you have such an opportunity to go to a super competitive school in a super competitive field. The quality education of an institute such as Gtown is likely far superior to less prestigious institutions. A crna is a crna is a bunch of crap conjured up by people who couldn't get into competitive universities. Just because you are a crna does not mean your education is equal to the rest of your peers. This is especially evident as nurses. I've seen nurses who went to low tier schools and high tier schools and the latter are far superior nurses because the quality of education was more rigorous and they exceeded the minimum recommendations. Go to Georgetown. I had an interview there as well but passed it up for another school that was top notch as well. Georgetown is an elite school and excellent opportunity. Best of luck!

Yuppers21 · Dec 7, 2013

While Georgetown is an elite school, it does not mean that their CRNA program is as well. Actually, I'm not singling out Gtown at all, I know nothing about it. However, to assume a CRNA program is better than another because it is attached to a certain school isn't always wise. Just like picking a school based on cost. Not saying that is what AlphaAgonist meant, just clarifying this because it is a natural thing to assume.

westcoast1, you will need to do some legwork to decide which school. Everyone's needs and preferences are different. Here's just a few things you should ask when evaluating a school, but in no particular order:

Do I want/need to stay within a certain region?

How much am I willing to go into debt for school (yes, this is VERY important)

Am I interested in pursuing a DNP/DNAP?

What skills will I hope to obtain by the end of my education (this can vary greatly from program to program)

Am I willing to travel for clinical sites?

Do I want an integrated or front loaded program?

How concerned am I about attrition rates?

manusko · Dec 8, 2013

While Georgetown is an elite school, it does not mean that their CRNA program is as well. Actually, I'm not singling out Gtown at all, I know nothing about it. However, to assume a CRNA program is better than another because it is attached to a certain school isn't always wise. Just like picking a school based on cost. Not saying that is what AlphaAgonist meant, just clarifying this because it is a natural thing to assume.
westcoast1, you will need to do some legwork to decide which school. Everyone's needs and preferences are different. Here's just a few things you should ask when evaluating a school, but in no particular order:
Do I want/need to stay within a certain region?
How much am I willing to go into debt for school (yes, this is VERY important)
Am I interested in pursuing a DNP/DNAP?
What skills will I hope to obtain by the end of my education (this can vary greatly from program to program)
Am I willing to travel for clinical sites?
Do I want an integrated or front loaded program?
How concerned am I about attrition rates?

Agreed. Who cares about impressing someone with your school name. I am more impressed when people are shocked that I just graduated because my PTs do very well post-OP. A name is great but the clinical experience is better. Not all people who graduate will be great clinicians regardless of the program.

future_anesthetist, BSN, CNA, RN · Dec 8, 2013

My community college's ADN program is very well known to produce top notch nurses, so I like to think I graduated from my area's "Georgetown" so to speak LOL:). I think there are good and bad programs, some undiscovered gems out there, but for the most part, top ranked like VCU produce very strong clinicians due to their challenging programs which provide the most hours, best sim experiences, and diverse clinical experiences due to their access to great hospitals. Big-name schools likely have more resources available to provide great education.

List of top CRNA schools: Best Nursing Anesthesia Programs | Top Nursing Schools | US News Best Graduate SchoolsHow they rank the programs: Methodology: Best Health Schools Rankings - US News and World Report

Medical University of South Carolina: #26

University of Detroit Mercy: #11

Georgetown University: #17

To OP, like others have said, do your research and figure out what program provides you with what is most important to you...cost, convenience, clinicals, degree awarded, etc...Good luck!

mh0712, MSN, RN · Dec 10, 2013

Just wanted to add that the student has a lot to do with outcome, but if the program is inadequate then even a great student may suffer. Ask to speak to some students about to graduate and see how they feel and then maybe talk to the previous years graduating class and how they are doing in their jobs. I would rather go to a no name school and know my stuff then go to an Ivy League school and feel unprepared when I get out.

AlphaAgonist · Dec 13, 2013

I am pretty sure you will be hard pressed to find an Ivy League graduate from Columbia or UPenn who have trouble academically or feel unprepared clinically when out. The standard of education is without a doubt top notch for the caliber of university.

Yuppers21 · Dec 13, 2013

Are you basing this on personal experience or just the assumption that Ivy League = best of the best? One problem that I can think of right off the top of my head is when schools share clinical sites with anesthesiology residents whom often receive preferential treatment over SRNAs. So yeah, you may receive a stellar didactic education (very important) but end up with less hands on experience with skills that would help you become a true full service provider. So again, it really does matter what you want out of a program, which requires getting as much info one can before applying. Never assume one program is better than the other just because the school it is attached to has a nice name.

AlphaAgonist · Dec 13, 2013

I am basing this off of reviews from boards, curriculum review with clinical site but most of all what I've heard from practicing crnas and SRNAs that I had worked with in icu

manusko · Dec 14, 2013

I have also heard that Pitt has a good program but I also heard that half the students are on antidepressants. Who cares about the rankings. Find some students from there an ask them firsthand how the experience is.