Any 2012 Midwestern CRNA applicants?

CVICUNurse88 · Jan 22, 2012

Hi! I am planning on applying to midwesterns CRNA program this year and I wanted to know any information you could tell me about their interview process and also that stats of admission requirements you had and/or what other applicants have. Also how is their program overall and clinical rotations?

Thanks and I look forward hearing from you!

jhodaki, RN · Jan 22, 2012

Hey CVICUNurse! A lot of their information is on the website, but here is some information for ya...

You have to apply by June 1 in order to be considering for the program that starts the following June. It's a long process with Midwestern... so I applied by June 1, 2011 in order to get accepted to the class that starts in June, 2012. The interview process was pretty easy and laid back. There were about 30 people there to interview. We all went in a room together in the beginning and someone came out to talk to us. We were split into groups and each group had a different order of things they did: took a tour of the campus, interview, and take a written exam. The campus is really nice... their sim lab is pretty cool. It's a private school and is pretty new, so everything looked really nice. The interview was very laid back. There was a CRNA in there, along with a professor of one of the basic classes (I think patho). The CRNA asked basic questions... describe the unit you work on, why do you want to be a CRNA, blah blah blah. The professor asked questions related to academics... what would you do if you saw someone cheating in the middle of an exam, describe how you study, that kind of stuff. I had read the forums so I knew it was mostly personality based interview questions. Then the CRNA asked a few clinical questions... he pulled out a 12 lead EKG and asked me to interpret it (it was just sinus brady). Then he asked me about Primacore, which we use a lot in the CVICU so I knew everything I needed to about how it affects blood pressure and what you would monitor on the drug. The written test was 4 drug problems. They were all math... you have this drug that comes in this dose... you need to give this much, how many cc's? I did the best I could and turned it in. You have lunch with them and everything.... you want to make yourself stand out and have them remember you. So I went out of my way and sat with the CRNA that interviewed me with a group of people and asked him questions, "Why did you want to be a CRNA? what do you like the most and least?" stuff like that.

Overall, it was a really easy interview process. You just have to be confident and comfortable... they want to see that this is your passion and this is what you want. I got accepted, but I'm actually going to another school instead. Midwestern is a fairly new program, so I think there are kinks that are still getting worked out. I know quite a few people that went there and their biggest complaint is the clinical rotations. I actually liked the idea of the rotations being out of state and diverse. However, a lot of the time you have to seek out your own clinical site. That would be difficult. Also, most people travel to Florida to do clinicals and I haven't heard anything great about the clinical site in Tampa, just mostly negative stuff. It's pretty expensive too. I chose a different program because I can afford it, and I liked the program better in general. It depends on what YOU are looking for. Midwestern's didactic study is top of the line, so if that is what is important to you then it's a great option. It's in AZ which is awesome. Just depends on what you are looking for... but the people were really nice and made me comfortable when I was there.

My stats when I applied: CVICU RN for 3 years, ACLS, BLS, PALS, CCRN, very active in shared leadership and committee work in and out of the hospital, cumulative GPA from nursing school was 3.66, and I retook chem101 to refresh my memory before applying. I would think about what questions you want to ask them too in the interview... "What can I do to prepare myself better for this program?"... it shows you want to excel and do your best. I didn't take the GRE, which limited my options a little bit with applications... but I applied to 3 schools and was accepted to 2/3 so you don't need it to get in. Let me know if you have any questions... I know this is super long haha :-) You can send me a message too if you need anything.

Good luck future CRNA!

1sttimetraveling · Jan 22, 2012

I agreed with most of jhodaki's comments. The interview process was pretty laid back, no pressure...personal questions so they want to know if you are mentally prepared for this, unlike other school, they will attack you with clinical scenario, like calculate SVC. The school is fairly new so there was a lot of kinks when I was there. I was one of the many who got sent to Florida. If you put on a thick skin and don't take all mean comments or belittling personal, you will come out on top. I learned so much there and almost everything I do and know and use now were from that site. It is one of the best sites, you'll see everything there that you won't see anywhere else in state, plus you are not there to make friends but to learn as much as you could. I was made to take the GRE but then they decided to stop making that as a requirement. boohoo.

carrie34 · Feb 15, 2012

Hi everyone!

Like some of you, I will be starting at Midwestern for their Nurse Anesthesia program in June! I am moving from PA, so I can use all of the tips, info, etc. about the school and area that anyone can offer. A few questions I currently have are...

1. Does anyone have tips on housing? I've looked online at several off campus options and to be honest, am feeling pretty overwhelmed. I looked to see if there was a group on Facebook to see if I could ask around if anyone is looking for a roommate, but was unable to find a group other than the main University page. Is there a good way to contact the entire class of 2014, such as a listserv, that I should know about?

2. I saw on a 2009 forum that a student starting that year had purchased books by February or March...has anyone started buying books yet??

3. What is everyone currently doing to prepare other than financial aid applications? Studying sciences, anesthesia?

I would greatly appreciate any help with these questions or any other information that can be offered!

Thanks so much :)

Carrie

CVICUNurse88 · May 22, 2012

Thank you for all the information Jhodaki! Im just about finished with my application... hoping I get a interview next month. My stats are 3.9 GPA, 2 years of ICU nursing on CVICU unit as of now, CCRN certified, with some community service and unit involvement.

17innswood · May 24, 2012

@Carrie34

I am starting CRNA school at midwestern in June also. If you want to contact me through my email at [email protected].

crnatoday · Jul 14, 2014

RNNel, could you kindly tell me the type of community service you participated in and also, the committees you have been a part of at your hospital prior to starting CRNA school?