[panurse10]

I just got an interview at Allegheny Valley school of anesthesia and was curious if anyone could give me some insight on their interview process. Do they ask a lot of clinical questions? What should I study for the interview? I would be very thankful. I also applied to the U of Pitt and Westmoreland anesthesia schools. Any help with their interviews would also be appreciated.

[SleepyRN2B]

Hi,
I also applied to U of Pitt... any idea when their letters go out???

[royalkeister]

Originally Posted by SleepyRN2B

Hi,
I also applied to U of Pitt... any idea when their letters go out???

I recieved a letter for an interview from Pitt about a week and a half ago. My interview is Nov. 5. From what I understand they present a power point presentation about the program, you tour the facility, and then you interview with several faculty and a student for 15 min each. I also have an interview at Allegheny Valley Nov. 8. I'm not sure what to expect there. I did not apply to Westmoreland, but I have two friends who just had interviews about a week ago and said the whole process was very friendly and laid back- more of a "get to know you" session with occasional clinical questions.

[krinklesRN]

Originally Posted by SleepyRN2B

Hi,
I also applied to U of Pitt... any idea when their letters go out???

yeah... i got the same letter from U of Pitt, too! there interview process does seem rather daunting!!

krinklesRN

[Pete495]

This is a post I made in a similar thread about my experience with westoreland/latrobe anesthesia school, where I internviewed at. You can also do a search and find out info also.


Laroche/Westmoreland CRNA school

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yes, Howard is still the director. I inteviewed there last year, but decided to go to a different school closer to where I live, and more conducive to my learning environment. I was looking at class pictures from the previous years when I noticed many of the students they accepted seemed older. I just felt I should enter a class that also has students more of my own age who I could relate to better.

As for the interview process, they asked me clinical questions pertaining to my field. I work as a cardiovascular surgical nurse. They specifically asked me about cardiac output/index, hemodynamics, etc. They wanted to know what a maximum dose of dopamine was, which too me is a bogus question, because it depends on who uses it and in what situation. I guessed at the answer. I figured it was 20mcgs/kg, but I've never used dopamine that high EVER. I said if you need dopamine that high, you may want to consider another vasoconstrictor. You can get a better effect with a lot less fluid. I don't think they liked my interjection.

Also, Laroche/Westmoreland seem to concentrate on the fact that I didn't specifically teach anything, like ACLS or any other courses. I admitted that teaching wasn't my concentration, and maybe that was a stupid thing to admit, but I don't know any nurse anesthetist who goes into it specifically wanting to teach it. Well, this perturbed me of course, and I think I was visibly irritated during the interview now that i look back on it. I offerred my role as staffer and preceptor at work, and volunteer experience teaching BLS as roles for instructing. The lady gave me a lecture about how passing on information to other students and other nurses is of critical importance. I thought she would have recognized I realized this when I told her I was a preceptor. The feeling I got during the interview however was that it was not enough for them.

The interview was not a disaster, but it wasn't a great interview, put it that way. I didn't like them, and they didn't like me, so it worked out for the best. I just figured I'd let you know my situation. From what I understand they have a good school with a lot of personal attention given to the students (the lady I interviewed with professed it too me like it was bible speak). This is why I selected the school to interview at, but I did not appreciate her excessive pride even though it is probably well deserved. She made it seem like there wasn't another school as good as LaRoche. Anyway, you get the picture. I'm sure it was possible that it was just my interview. I would definitely recommend interviewing there. They seem to be a good school, and from what I hear, Howard is an excellent teacher. He only came in at the end of the interview, so I didn't get to chat with him much, but from what I gathered, he was real down to earth. I did interview with 3 people, a recent graduate, a student, and this damn lady who asked me all her dumb *** questions, but I can't remember what her name was.

OK, hope I didn't discourage you. I honestly do think it is a good school, and it is possible that my interview just wasn't the best. If you have any questions, let me know.
__________________
David

[stushrn]

Allegheny Valley's interview is brutal. Two women direct the interviews, and they are extremely intelligent... alot of clinical questions. Know all 4 shocks, beta 1, beta 2, be able to draw a pa wave form, an a line wave form (know what is happening at each notch)... know about nitroprusside... i think they are more interested in whether or not you buckle under pressure... so, keep your head straight and try to relax (when you really want to flip out!!!) I go to Westmoreland-Latrobe (just started). Good luck on your interview.

[air]

Originally Posted by panurse10

I just got an interview at Allegheny Valley school of anesthesia and was curious if anyone could give me some insight on their interview process. Do they ask a lot of clinical questions? What should I study for the interview? I would be very thankful. I also applied to the U of Pitt and Westmoreland anesthesia schools. Any help with their interviews would also be appreciated.

The Allegheny, they usually start the interview at early.The assistant director will give you as much information as you can about the program, clinical sites,pass rates, expectations. Senior and junior students will be made available to you for questioning. Every applicant will be in the same room. Then the show starts, one candidate will be asked to meet with the director or assistant for a 1:1. Just know your ACLS drugs, they will ask you questions in relations to your background. The director has some advanced degree in pharmacology so she will grind you on that. She would not ask you any suitability questions (support systems, program desire) then you will be asked to wait again, later you will be the assistant director, she will go over wave forms with you, Swanz, aline,ETC. She will ask you about support systems.
The do some classes at La Roche. I think some two or three other programs use La Roche college also.Please, do not be late. They will have somebody meet with you at the lobby of the hospital, this person is usually the secretary, she will then lead you guys to the interview area.

Like PANURSE10 said. It is designed to push you until the find your weakness, and how well you handle it. They also want to make sure that you have the type of critical care experience they are looking for, they had a situation once in that area, so you can understand they would not like a repeat. They will be upfront with you about it.

I interviewed there, was accepted but went somewhere else. Good Luck.

[Pete495]

what kind of situation did they have? Just curious

[stushrn]

I guess I should have also told you that Westmoreland's interview was the most laid back of the three (Pitt, Allegheny Valley). I felt the most comfortable in that interview, and that is why I chose that school (I got into all three). Westmoreland's interview is really, i think, about getting to know your personality, and what kind of person you are, rather than how much clinical experience you have. Pitt's interview was kind of intense as well. They start with an overview of their program via power point presentation, then they give you a tour. You get to see the simulation lab (pretty nice, but imagined myself being grilled by the program instructor while trying to intubate this dummy- but i guess it would be better than a human being). Then you interview with approximately five different people- a junior or senior, a couple of instructors, the assistant director of the program, and then John O' Donnell (his interview made me the most nervous, the questions are a little more personal here.) I went with my gut when i chose my school. Pitt didn't seem to be understanding with anything that might pop up in your life during your schooling (your life revolved around their program) Well, good luck on your interviews! Perhaps, I may see you at Westmoreland next year!

[air]

Originally Posted by Pete495

what kind of situation did they have? Just curious

Well, the assistant director let it be known that they had a student a just a few years back( she mentioned the time but I cannot remember correctly) while in the OR could could not interprete basic cardiac waveforms, or use the Swanz. An MDA apparently had noticed the deficiency. The The second year student had a few months to graduation.The MDA promptly called the director of the program, the student was sent out of clinical site for that day, a decision was reached later to let the student go.

My understanding at the time(during my interview) that is why they take critical care background seriously. The assistant program further explained, the program is 24 months and they really do not have time to fit in a critical care nursing component into the program.

During the interview we were told the school had maintained a 100% first time pass rate for more than a few years or so, and they will like to keep it that way. They really press for you to take the exam within two months after graduation. The assistant director claims there is some data or sliding scale, the more that the more time lapse between completing the program and you taking the board exam the chances of assured success depreciates appreciably.