by Mason McDowell
(Asheville, NC)
Asheville, NC
Disclosure: Im a faculty member at WCU so you could say i have a bias… so here are some details about Western Carolina University to help you compare with another program.
When searching for a nurse anesthesia program, ask yourself what attributes are most important and then see if Western Carolina University meets your needs:
-Small class size (typically 14 students)
-Affordable tuition
-Board Passing rates 100% for all graduates, ~93% first time taker (class of 13 students with 1 requiring a retest)
-Brand new location, state of the art classrooms and Human Patient Simulation Lab
-Cadaver lab
-Average number of anesthetic cases at graduation: ~895
-Dedicated rotations in cardiac, OB, vascular and exposure to all specialties
-NO competition at any clinical site with other anesthesia learners
-9 clinical sites (all within 80 minutes of school, most within 40 minutes)
-Ability to train in ACT model and in CRNA only practices
-Regional anesthesia training with Ultrasound in clinical practice (single shot PNB and indwelling interscalene and femoral nerve catheters)
-Central line and arterial line insertion with Ultrasound in clinical practice
-Student travel to State & National meetings, including research presentations
-WCU has won the State Anesthesia Bowl 3 of last 4 years
-Opportunity for international training (anesthesia mission trips)
-All faculty members have an earned doctorate (or in process)
-Faculty published and invited to speak nationally and internationally
-ALL faculty members practice clinical anesthesia
-100% of graduates (surveyed annually) since program inception would recommend WCU and would attend WCU again!
Visit the Western Carolina University Nurse Anesthesia Program website and see why I am so proud of our accomplishments!
Comments for Western Carolina University produces the highest quality graduates
Apr 12, 2015
Good but not great!
by: Anonymous
I felt like the academic portion was top notch but the clinical rotations were lacking. I never placed a central line and did little to nothing in the way of chronic pain management. Chronic pain management is still an emerging field and I hope current cohorts get some experience. Overall a strong program. Most CRNA’s are not interested in chronic pain management and this should not deter you from applying. GOOD LUCK!!!
Aug 01, 2013
From a former student…
by: Anonymous
I was very fortunate and had many options when applying and entering into CRNA school. I chose WCU, and I could not be happier that I did. I felt very prepared when I graduated and could not be happier for the instruction and foundation I received. Everything Mason wrote about is very accurate, and I urge you to ask if you will receive the same at other institutions. Thank you WCU.
Jun 08, 2012
Thank you for reviewing your school!
by: Joy-All-CRNA-Schools.com
It takes initiative to post a review. I appreciate you being forthright that you are faculty, and I appreciate that you take pride in your program. Not all faculty feel that way about their programs; some wish they worked somewhere else.
You’ve also posted some very objective information about your school that can’t be found on your site, and is very helpful to prospective students. Thank you
Admin