Good luck to everyone applying to Newman University's DNAP 2024 cohort! In the words of CRNA Jon Lowrance (Anesthesia Guidebook podcast), competition among applicants ends once CRNA school begins. To help cultivate this mindset, this forum is for applicants to share tips and pearls they've found along the way for preparing for the highly anticipated interview!
I'm reading "Thinking, Fast and Slow," "Make it Stick, the Science of Successful Learning," and "Costanzo's Physiology" to prep! Podcasts like "Anesthesia Guidebook," "Core Anesthesia," and "ACCRAC" have been helpful in giving me an idea of what to expect for both the interview and understanding the stress of CRNA school!
What have you found helpful? What pitfalls do you anticipate? What did you most enjoy from your shadowing experience?
Haven't heard of any interview asking beyond receptor level but that's just from people I know who have interviewed.
One of my mentors who is a Newman CRNA alum told me if you know the med down to the receptor level they probably will ask about cellular conformation change to keep going down that road. You're not expected to know it, but be prepared for the possibility. He said it's more about how you handle not knowing the answer to these advanced questions as opposed to having the knowledge. He got a huge eye roll from one of the interviewers when he couldn't go as in depth as the interviewer asked. He suspects it was to push his buttons to trigger a reaction so be prepared for that as well!
Let me put it this way. They will ask you questions until you get to the point where you don't know something. It's over your head and that's OK! Just simply say "I don't have an answer/I'm not sure but I would be happy to look that up and get back with you.” They typically stick to your background but know the basics...
what do all the bumps in an ECG represent?
what are common gtts you use? Sedatives? Pain meds?
how do they work? What should I monitor for? What are their reversals?
if you haven't started studying, I don't mean to make you nervous but interview letters should be going out this week or next if they keep it to the same timeline as my cohort
Part of the EI portion of the interview may include recalling a failure and how you responded to it. Below is a podcast from the Sound Physicians critical care group on "Failing Well.” What is the difference between a failure and an error? What is a failure you are proud of (was formative to taking you to a higher level of practice) vs a failure you are ashamed of? How can you learn by critically evaluating a failure? How is a "hero mentality" (ie, failure is not an option) potentially harmful?
Congrats! How far out are the interviews? I see on their website it says early November!
Thank you! They start next week! Wednesday through Friday weekly, but I'm not sure how far out they go. It just said they aren't doing them the week of Thanksgiving. I had to send a couple dates that I would be available to go. I have to fly and figure out my work schedule since they are in-person only
kate42024
44 Posts
Haven't heard of any interview asking beyond receptor level but that's just from people I know who have interviewed.