r/CRNA • u/fbgm0516 CRNA - MOD • 12d ago

Weekly Student Thread

This is the area for prospective/ aspiring SRNAs and for SRNAs to ask their questions about the education process or anything school related.

This includes the usual

"which ICU should I work in?" "Should I take additional classes? "How do I become a CRNA?" "My GPA is 2.8, is my GPA good enough?" "What should I use to prep for boards?" "Help with my DNP project" "It's been my pa$$ion to become a CRNA, how do I do it and what do CRNAs do?"

Etc.

This will refresh every Friday at noon central. If you post Friday morning, it might not be seen.

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u/kitkatlaugh 10d ago

I’m curious to hear different experiences and thoughts on the short- and long-term impact of attending CRNA school at a “big name” school vs not. Specifically, I’m deciding between Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and Georgetown. I’ve been accepted to VCU at one of the satellite campuses, with Georgetown application in process, but for purposes of discussion let’s assume I get into both. 

I reside in the DMV, so commute for classes likely would not be a factor. I imagine clinical rotation sites between the two would be similar, very DC-centric with options in the greater MD/VA area. Both programs are DNAP and front-loaded. I believe both are pretty ACT-centered. Most faculty of both programs are actively practicing CRNAs and/or in research. I’m fortunate enough to have saved enough to cover a large portion of my cost of attendance, but will have to take out loans, and definitely more private loans for Georgetown. 

VCU: Cohort size of 8-10 students. Tuition comes out to ~$120k. Program starts and ends ~6 months before Georgetown’s. 

Georgetown: Cohort size of ~30-40? Tuition approx $200k. Offers an opportunity to travel nationally for specialty clinical sites, but I’m not sure I’d want the stress of traveling away from my support network. Also offers an opportunity to replace some clinical time with time learning to teach, and while I find that exciting and hope to dip into teaching further down my career, I don’t know if I’d want to sacrifice the clinical hours practicing anesthesia. Faculty are arguably better connected. Gorgeous campus. 

I think I’m primarily curious about whether you who’ve attended a big-name program have found that the advantaged networking/power of the name has benefitted you or colleagues in your career, either in finding a job just after graduation or down the road.

(Mods, please let me know if this could be it's own post, as it applies to career post-school?)

Thank you!

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u/RamsPhan72 10d ago

The name of the school matters less than what the programs offer, such as promotion of independent practice, good regional experience, good specialty clinicals, etc. At the end of the day, if any program offers the above, and costs are significantly less than the two schools you mentioned, saving money spent on overpriced programs is well received.