[crs543]

I would like to hear from current or former students of VCU's CRNA program. Just received a call and I have an interview in Nov. I have read throughout their website for imformation, but, would like to get a someone's personel experience on the interview process and what a typical day is like at VCU? I know VCU is a quality program because I got my BSN from there. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[skipaway]

I graduated 15 years ago from MCV/VCU's program. I felt I had an excellent education, especially in regional anesthesia, which is not the case with alot of other programs. One issue that I felt was a drawback was competition with the anesthesia residents at the main hospital. The big cases seemed to be reserved for them ie...AAAs, Hearts, complex neuro and NICU/Peds patients. I had to depend on outside rotations for these types of cases. I'm not sure if this has changed in the last 15 yrs, I hope it has. I do feel, though, that I got an excellent, well-rounded education at MCV and felt I was a safe and good practitioner when I left. Also, 100% of my class passed boards!

[DIGNOUT]

I have an interview with VCU Sept. 20(!!!), and currently work at VCUHS. I have learned much from my experiences there, and can account for its high quality; I wouldn't trade my job for any of the "greener" grass on the other side of the fence

I have asked VCU NRSA faculty about competition with anesthesia residents for the big cases, to which they responded nurse anesthesia students are well-exposed to hearts, heads, and the like, and that competition is not an issue. I have worked with and alongside many of the anesthesia residents... they are largely amicable, intelligent, and professional folks, and speak well of CRNAs/SRNAs- that being said, I hope they make good colleagues in the future. Skip's right- regional experience is a big plus at VCU, as will be the DNAP starting 1/08.

Though VCUHS is a participating clinical site, it is not the only clinical site. The program feeds from nearly each hospital in Richmond/Henrico/Chesterfield (Chip, St. Mary's, JW, Memorial Regional, the VA, and so on), with experience also taken from Mary Wash in F'burg. There are hearts, heads, and kids at most of these sites... Richmond is Hospitalville, with many good pickings.

Anymore VCUers out there?

[crs543]

Thanks both of you for your feedback. I would love to here from someone about the interview process.

[skipaway]

Originally Posted by DIGNOUT

I have asked VCU NRSA faculty about competition with anesthesia residents for the big cases, to which they responded nurse anesthesia students are well-exposed to hearts, heads, and the like, and that competition is not an issue.

When I was there, we shared hearts with the residents--Meaning, same case, same room. We had to do the room set up, maybe got an A-line and IV to do but nothing else. We did induction and intubation but then the resident did the case with us looking on. Sure some learning occured but I'd have preferred to do my own case. Maybe it's changed since I went to school...I hope so. It may be something you should address with the current crop of SRNAs if you get a chance to meet them during your interview.

[phirey]

Hello!

I just received a call and have an interview next week! Please let me know how your interviews went and what your impression was of the program. I'm trying to make last-minute plane reservations, as well. What time should I expect, realistically, to be finished, so I don't cut my interview short just to catch a flight home.

thanks!