FIU CRNA interview help

Nishas22 · Nov 15, 2011

Hi SICURN11!

I am interviewing for FIU as well! =) I am interviewing on Wednesday, how about you?? Are you nervous? I'm kind of nervous, I am preparing by reviewing some physiology of the effects of the most common ICU drips/drugs and looking on here for some interview questions from previous applicants. Wish you the best of luck, it would be pretty damn awesome should we both get accepted. Let's Keep in touch, you can PM me if you'd like.

As far as the program, I have heard from my freind who graduated from there in 2009 that it was very very difficult. She has a child, a husband, and barely had any time for herself. You really have to be super dedicated and want it really bad. But hey, she has a family and if she was able to be successful in it, so can I. She told me her interview lasted an hour or so and they asked her a lot of questions regarding ABG interpretation/intervention and heart rhythm interpretation/interventions. I have read online that they may ask questions on Swan Ganz caths, but we barely use them now--except in open hearts. I meant to ask her how many people interviewed her, if I find out, I will let you know.

Obviously, this program is the best by far. They have some excellent (though far) clinical sites and some crazy hours. However, she tells me they do all they can to help you along the way and make sure everyone passes. In other words, it is not a weed out program like Barry, which accepts 80 something students and then by the end, only 40 something graduate. In that sense, I am very very psyched.

Hope this helps and best of luck to you =)

Nishas22 · Nov 16, 2011

Btw, its about 8 people that interview you.

SICURN11 · Nov 16, 2011

Hey, thanks for all your suggestions! I have an interview on Saturday and am studying the same things. Theres so much to know that I'm just trying to hit the highlights!!! Let me know how the interview goes and I really hope you get in! Heck, I hope we both get in!! Do you know how many they interview and are going to accept this year? Best of luck!

Nishas22 · Nov 17, 2011

Some simple ABG/EKG rhythms questions, tell us more about you, how have you prepared financially for this endeavor, why should we pick you over other students applying? Its very simple and really great, I had mine with 2 teachers and 2 senior SRNAs.

They said they are interviewing 95 students, will accept 36 students. Btw, when you get there, you will be all hyped up but then they will do this 2-3 hour presentation on the program, so by the time the interview comes around, your pretty calm. You also get to talk to some 1st year anesthesia residents and the sim lab is super cool, like a real OR.

Mine went well but I really don't know what to think...I guess I will find out by Dec 16 (or so they say) In the meantime, I have another interview for Barry Univ =)

Good luck!

asdaylightburnsjax · Nov 18, 2011

I interviewed with FIU today. It seems like a great school. The interview wasn't horrid.... I just felt ignorant by the end of it after drawing a complete blank on a question. I got questions about treatment of sepsis, difference in Levo and Neo, ABG interpretation and treatment, treatment of CHF and difference between Lasix and Mannitol... and then drew a blank on the EKG strip, which was Bigeminy.... how I forgot is beyond me. I didn't feel to confident with the outcome of my interview, but I am hoping for the best. If not, I have 3 other interviews and can use the practice towards the next one.

Nishas22 · Nov 21, 2011

Hey asdaylightburnsjax

Oh man...Me too, I kind of drew a blank at the Levo/Neo question too. For some reason, they did not give me any interview questions of ABGs or EKGs or anything about Lasix/Mannitol either. I wonder what that means. I recently got my CCRN and sent it to them days before my interview so I wonder if they felt confident enough in my abilities that they didn't feel the need to ask me?? Or maybe I sounded completely off? Who knows? What do you think?? I have one for Barry soon, so I think I will definitely review prior to. I feel pretty decent about the FIU interview but a previous grad tells me that doesn't mean anything. Please let me know if you hear from FIU, I'll post something on this site if I do as well. Thanks for your input.

asdaylightburnsjax · Nov 21, 2011

Hey Nishas22,

I definitely think having the CCRN helps filter out some of the clinical questions. I think most of the questions were simple enough, but the stress can come into play. It was my first interview of 4, and so far I feel my others have went better... but I'm still hoping for FIU. I have not taken the CCRN yet because I spent my summer taking Advanced Patho, so I think I was an easy target for additional clinical questions. I'll let you know when I hear either way from FIU. Good luck! I'm sure you did great. I think doing a basic review before any CRNA interview is a great idea.

Nishas22 · Nov 24, 2011

Hi asdaylightburnsjax Thanks for your input...I have one coming up for Barry on the 12th of Dec, so I will def be prepared. I'm just dying, checking my email everyday to hear from FIU...we will see what happens, hopefully, in a few weeks, we both have good news to share! =)

asdaylightburnsjax · Nov 24, 2011

Nishas22,

Good luck on the inteview at Barry. I've heard mixed reviews about their program. I am keeping my fingers crossed for good news from FIU. It would be awesome if we would hear something next week, but that is probably a stretch :-)

Zaphod, BSN, RN · Nov 24, 2011

Have you guys applied to UM? Its a pretty good program and there is no site like Jackson.

asdaylightburnsjax · Nov 25, 2011

Zaphod, I have considered applying to UM. From what I hear they seem to have a great program. I have a friend of mine that is in first term at UM. My concern was the cost. From their site it looks like their tuition is about double that of other schools in Florida.