Clarkson College

Nursing Students SRNA

Updated:   Published

I started CRNA school at Clarkson College last week. If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask!

I got accepted into the program. Anyone else?

Specializes in Cardiothoracic ICU.
I got accepted into the program. Anyone else?

Come join our Facebook group: Clarkson College CRNA - Class of 2022

Specializes in Trauma/Neuro ICU.

Just applied for the Spring 2021 start date! I have heard people say negative things about Clarkson especially when compared to Bryan College, so thank you for this thread. Things like, "I've been in the OR and heard people say you can tell a big difference between Clarkson and Bryan students", meaning Bryan students shine over Clarkson students. I've also heard that one of the classes has the teacher skype in instead of being there in person, and people complained that it didn't feel as personal. I'm curious as to your perspective on these two matters? Also, some have said the clinicals are over 4 semesters? Do you feel that they offer adequate anesthesia experience? I emailed the director and she was very kind and helpful in getting me information about the school. So far there seems to be no negatives from my perspective except for what some have said on "allnurses.com". THANK YOU for your time!

I'm graduating next month from Clarkson College.

I hear "Clarkson students outshine Bryan and Mount Marty students" lol I think it's just a competition between schools type of thing.

Our "skyped" lecture was our pharmacology lecture. From Dr. Nagelhout in California. Many CRNA programs used him as their pharmacology teacher. Why? Oh, well. You know, he just happens to be the guy who wrote the Nurse Anesthesia textbook. Literally. One of the core textbooks you will use (and all other CRNA programs use) is Nurse Anesthesia by Dr. Nagelhout... but you don't have to worry about that. My class was the last class he taught because he retired. I'm not exactly sure what they do now for pharmacology lectures. I enjoyed the "skyped" lectures because I could watch at home (they didn't make you watch on campus) and you could replay them, pause them, or rewind if you needed.

Clarkson is front loaded. Bryan is side loaded. That's their main difference. Think about how you learn and your learning style and chose a program based on that.

Clarkson's clinicals are 18 months. Don't count in semesters because there are no "semesters" when you start clinical. Just a M-F (sometimes weekend, sometimes call) schedule with only major holidays off (sometimes you are in clinical on those days too).

Bryan's campus is nicer than Clarkson's but both programs will adequately prep you for clinicals and a lifetime career in Nurse Anesthesia.

Specializes in Trauma/Neuro ICU.
1 hour ago, emb92250 said:

I'm graduating next month from Clarkson College.

I hear "Clarkson students outshine Bryan and Mount Marty students" lol I think it's just a competition between schools type of thing.

Our "skyped" lecture was our pharmacology lecture. From Dr. Nagelhout in California. Many CRNA programs used him as their pharmacology teacher. Why? Oh, well. You know, he just happens to be the guy who wrote the Nurse Anesthesia textbook. Literally. One of the core textbooks you will use (and all other CRNA programs use) is Nurse Anesthesia by Dr. Nagelhout... but you don't have to worry about that. My class was the last class he taught because he retired. I'm not exactly sure what they do now for pharmacology lectures. I enjoyed the "skyped" lectures because I could watch at home (they didn't make you watch on campus) and you could replay them, pause them, or rewind if you needed.

Clarkson is front loaded. Bryan is side loaded. That's their main difference. Think about how you learn and your learning style and chose a program based on that.

Clarkson's clinicals are 18 months. Don't count in semesters because there are no "semesters" when you start clinical. Just a M-F (sometimes weekend, sometimes call) schedule with only major holidays off (sometimes you are in clinical on those days too).

Bryan's campus is nicer than Clarkson's but both programs will adequately prep you for clinicals and a lifetime career in Nurse Anesthesia.

emb92550, I really appreciate the time you've put into this post, thank you! I can definitely see that as school rivalry/competition. It's funny what people complain about, that's why I like getting both sides of the story. I'm definitely looking forward to hearing back from Clarkson hopefully the end of this month! Congrats on graduating soon.

Specializes in ICU adult.

Hi there!

I recently received an invitation for an interview at Clarkson College scheduled this month! I am super excited and terribly nervous. I'm curious on what I should bring to the interview. Like what is recommended to include in a portfolio?

Also, what kind of questions is Clarkson known for asking? I was able to find some valuable information on this thread, but it was from a couple years ago so I wanted to make sure I was as up to date as possible.

Is there anything in specific I should expect during this interview?

Thank you so much!

Congrats!

As far as what to bring, I would just bring a copy of your application, CV, essay, etc. in case they for some reason don't have that or misplaced it. They really do read the essays. That's how they narrow down who to interview among equally qualified applicants.

As far as types of questions- nothing clinical. They figure your application and credentials speak for themselves and they can teach you what you need to know anesthesia-wise. Their interview questions are more "get to know you" questions. What is your motivation for applying, do you understand what it means to be a CRNA, have you mentally, financially prepared for this endeavor, how do you deal with conflict.

Just be super polite, respectful, and answer as best you can. Good luck ?

1 Votes
Specializes in CVICU/Trauma ICU/ICU/CCRN.

Hey everyone!

I am applying for the Spring 2022 start date. and am curious if anyone has started the process as well? I started a separate thread but thought maybe this would be better to connect with others since it has been posted on for a few years.

I would love to hear from others applying for the 2022 start date and be able to support one another through the up and coming months.

I am not sure if emb92250 will read this but if you do thank you so much for all the advice and comments you have provided. You are such a great resource to anyone applying to Clarkson.

Hope to hear from some individuals soon ?

Yep, it sends an email to me whenever someone posts on this thread. Glad you found the thread helpful. 

On 1/3/2021 at 10:18 PM, emb92250 said:

Yep, it sends an email to me whenever someone posts on this thread. Glad you found the thread helpful. 

Does Anyone know if that have called all the students who were accepted for the 2022 start date? I have heard that some have received calls and some have received denial letters, but I have to heard anything regarding myself. 

Specializes in Adult ICU.

First off, most helpful and enlightening thread I've seen while looking for CRNA programs, so thank you so much!

I have an interview April 4th for the Jan 2024 start date, and I'm super stoked for it. I really enjoyed the phone call interview and they said at the end of the call, "Just come and be yourself and it will be great!” However, I still want to prepare better for the interview than just spend my time leading up to the interview 'being my self'.

I have been in adult ICU for 2 years, just got my CCRN and PALS last month and renewed my ACLS. Core GPA and science GPA are both 3.9, and I never took the GRE.

For the interview it sounds like it is not the stereotypical "tell us about a time you failed" but that is the only kind of interview I know how to prepare for..

Also when it comes to those kind of questions (specifically failure or mistake related questions) would you be 100% frank and honest with your biggest mistakes in nursing or aim more for a more general life failures?

Me being me, I want to be straight up honest with what I believe was my worst mistake as an ICU nurse but I worry that they will cringe away from real nursing mistakes like mentioning a med error or pump mistake.


What are your thoughts? 
Is it honestly just a really personal interview? Because the phone call interview was a blast to be perfectly frank, and I hope the in person interview will be the same but I worry it will be different.

WyHunt- I'm actually having a hard time remember ing my interview now that it has been so long... 7 years I think?... anyway... I believe they are looking at personal attributes, not academic attributes, when it comes to the interview. They can teach you if you are motivated to learn. But there is more to being a good candidate than motivation to learn. Have you been able to come up with a financial plan/prepared financially for school since you can't work. Have you thought about plans regarding any other responsibilities you may have (like childcare if you have children)? Are you willing to admit when you make mistakes and actively seek out a way to rectify? Do you REALLY know what it means to be a nurse anesthetist? Have you shadowed enough to understand? That type of thing. It really is a "get to know you" type interview and I believe to a certain extent they pick personalities that will mesh well in the class since you spend A LOT of time together. 

 

Hope that helps.

+ Add a Comment