Anyone interviewing at Samford ?

jrec · Dec 1, 2004

I'm sorry to say that I do not have any helpful information on Samford, but I too will be interviewing in January. This will be the first interview for me, so I am not sure what to expect. Do you or anyone else know how many interview invitations were mailed? Best of luck to you!!

Hello all, I have recently become a registered user after viewing for over a year. I think that the forum is a valuable resource for anyone intrested in becoming a CRNA, and I am thankful for all I have learned. So far I have only interviewed at the UT Health and Science Center in Memphis. Unfortuantely, I only achieved alternate status. However, I have an interview coming up in January at the Samford program in Birmingham, AL. I would appreciate any information about the program from those currently attending or planning to attend. Thanks in advance.

SproutRN · Dec 1, 2004

Congratulations! I am in the senior class at Samford, and a few others here on the forum attend Samford (Quinke, sproutsfriend, TraumaTom). I am not sure how many letter were sent out this time. I think when I interviewed there were approximately 50-60 interviewed and my class size is 18, as is the junior class. You will interview individually with several people in the anesthesia dept. as well as the nursing school. I think I interviewed with 5 folks. I was asked a wide variety of questions by all, anything from why I want to be a CRNA to clinical questions (what type drugs I used in the unit, compare dopamine and dobutamine, what is Starling's Law, etc.).

I guess I am a bit partial, but everyone at Samford is great! I was most nervous while interviewing with our director. I did not interview anywhere else, so I can't compare to anywhere else. Although the program is new, I felt like I was well prepared when I went to the OR. The class size is intentionally kept small which I think is a real plus.

Best of luck to you.

Sprout :nurse:

jrec · Dec 2, 2004

SproutRN,

Thank you for the interview information, as with most, the interview is my greatest concern. There is such a wide range of questions that could be asked, I'm not sure what to be looking over the most. I feel very comfortable answering the general questions but I dread the clinical questions. I apologize for trying to pick your brain, but can you remember any other clinical questions presented to you? Were you asked any tin which you didn't know the answer? ANY other information to help us prepare would be a blessing! I was pleased to hear we would interview with each person individually. I too think a smaller class is a benefit. I also know TraumaTom, he and I graduated from the same Rn-Bsn program, I intend to try to pick his brain as well. Thank you for your help, it is much appreciated.

Congratulations! I am in the senior class at Samford, and a few others here on the forum attend Samford (Quinke, sproutsfriend, TraumaTom). I am not sure how many letter were sent out this time. I think when I interviewed there were approximately 50-60 interviewed and my class size is 18, as is the junior class. You will interview individually with several people in the anesthesia dept. as well as the nursing school. I think I interviewed with 5 folks. I was asked a wide variety of questions by all, anything from why I want to be a CRNA to clinical questions (what type drugs I used in the unit, compare dopamine and dobutamine, what is Starling's Law, etc.).
I guess I am a bit partial, but everyone at Samford is great! I was most nervous while interviewing with Dr. Fiedler (our director). I did not interview anywhere else, so I can't compare to anywhere else. Although the program is new, I felt like I was well prepared when I went to the OR. The class size is intentionally kept small which I think is a real plus.
Best of luck to you.
Sprout

Trauma Tom · Dec 2, 2004

My advice to all of you who are interviewing at Samford is too relax and get a good night's sleep the night before. You all are very qualified or you would not be invited to interview. The purpose of the interview is not only for the school to get to know you, but for you to get to know them as well. I interviewed at five schools and all of them were similar. Some schools focused more on clinical questions, whereas others asked more about personal questions about why you wanted to go to their school. You may be asked to talk about the last patient you cared for. This allows you to demonstrate your knowledge and critical thinking skills of a patient you have taken care of. No school is interested in quizing you on medications you have never used, or on types of equipment you have not used. If you have ten years of ICU experience you should expect more difficult questions than if you only have 1 year. They want to see if you possess good critical thinking skills. I absolutely love the program here. The staff is very supportive and fair to all of us and want us to succeed. The program is demanding and can be stressful, but I have time for a life as well. After interviewing at Samford, it became my first choice, even though I was accepted at another school and was an alternate at two others and an alternate at Samford. Samford offered me a position and I accepted and have never regretted my decision. Good luck. PM me and let me know when you are having your interview. The junior class is off that week from classes as the anesthesia staff will be interviewing all week. We will be in ACLS and PALS class so I should be available to meet with you when you visit. Take time while you are here to tour the campus. It is one of the most beautiful college campuses I have ever seen. Hope to see you in January.

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Hello all, I have recently become a registered user after viewing for over a year. I think that the forum is a valuable resource for anyone intrested in becoming a CRNA, and I am thankful for all I have learned. So far I have only interviewed at the UT Health and Science Center in Memphis. Unfortuantely, I only achieved alternate status. However, I have an interview coming up in January at the Samford program in Birmingham, AL. I would appreciate any information about the program from those currently attending or planning to attend. Thanks in advance.

Quincke · Dec 2, 2004

Hey and congrats to you for an interview. I am (like Sprout) biased, but I think Samford is a great school. The small class size is a big advantage. I am a senior student and have found that I have been well prepared for clinicals by our faculty. I did not apply or interview anywhere else, but I think most people will tell you preparation for the interview process is the same most places. Review your hemodynamics and your vasoactive drugs (the more you know the better - like down to the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics). Know about invasive monitoring. Trauma Tom's first advise is great. You want to be relaxed and be yourself when you interview and confident when answering your questions. Also, explore the campus and Birmingham while you are there. IBirmingham's a great place with lots to do!! GOOD LUCK:)

sproutsfriend · Dec 3, 2004

I'm also at Samford. This thread is like a class reunion. In regard to the interview, I echo what my classmates have indicated. In addition, as in any program (I suppose) these folks are honesty detectors. Especially at Samford they want integrity in a candidate as much as they want anything else. If you're asked a question you are weak on, I recommend you not attempt to fake it but rather simply admit you're not quite certain. These folks will appreciate this and reward your honesty.

In regard to the program, it's deeply rooted in science down to the molecular level. You'll enter the clinical setting as a confident practitioner capable of critical thinking and problem solving and you'll be happy for it.

Also, make yourself understand the oxyhgb dissociation curve as well as the Frank-Starling principle before the interview.