California State University Fullerton/ Kaiser Permanente School of Anesthesia-24month program. Does not require the GRE. During the interview process, they will not ask any Clinical questions whatsoever! All personal questions like "why do you want to be a CRNA." No clinical questions means that they won't ask questions like "Explain vasopressin to me and how it works on the receptors", or "Tell me about the Intra-aortic Balloon Pump and how it's timed" (I was asked this question at Loma Linda's Interview). They did ask me this question at the Kaiser interview though "Tell me about a difficult patient you had and how you dealt with it." So it wasn't directly clinical but it can include clinical content depending on your answer.
Samuel Merritt University / Samuel Merritt College-Another 27 month program. With a class size of 25-28 people. To be honest, I don't know a lot about this program personally.
University of Southern California- Great program 24 month program. Requires the GRE. It has a 16 student class size so is very personal. They have a whole day for their interview process. They have a clinical interview portion where they actually just started to give clinical scenarios that are pre-prepared, give you lab values, and ask you what you would do. My friend recently said that they even handed her an EKG and asked her what she would do for it (the EKG was SVT). They also have the personal interview portion which includes questions like what are strengths and weaknesses or why you want to be a CRNA.
Loma Linda University: -30 month program. This program is a private Seventh Day Adventist University (A form of Christianity). They do have strict rules that students must follow. No drinking, smoking, or drugs while you are in the program. The cafeteria and campus encourages vegetarianism, I don't believe they serve meat in the cafeteria, but still has great food! They are very focused on health. They do ask clinical questions so be ready for it. This is actually the school I am attending:) They are very well known for their medical school and their CRNA program is actually fairly new, just started last year. I am Seventh-Day Adventist as well so this school's belief's matche mine. They have a 12-14 student class and really strive to help you get through the program. They have one of the larger cadaver collections in the US. They even use the same freezing and splicing technology that "Body works" uses. The CRNA have access to the pre-med students facilities and resources as well. We took a tour and it was amazing!
*National University, Fresno. -27 month program.This is a brand new program that just received accreditation in 1/2012! They are accepting applications from 4/1-6/30. There program starts in April of next year that I am aware of.
I am going to post a CRNA school interview post soon.
Great reference website for CRNA programs and requirements (This is where I got some of the information above) For further information on any requirements for any school inside or outside of CA check this website out. They even have it categorized by most expensive programs, the length, or even those that do and don't require the GRE.
http://www.all-crna-schools.com/crna-schools.html
Just stumbled onto your blog. Very cool! I imagine since it's been a year and a half since you've posted, you're in the thick of anesthesia school and have little to no time for blogging.
ReplyDeleteI will send you an e-mail shortly. I have a few questions for you. I am eyeing at least one of the schools that you were considering.
Thank you so much for your insights and honesty. How is your husband's practice going now? Are you going to update your blog soon?
ReplyDeletehow much does a nurse anesthetist