bjlee

I know of at least 2 students currently in the program whose experience was mostly ER, so it is possible. Better if it is a large teaching hospital ER with some uber-critical stuff. AND in the interview, if they know your experience is mostly ER, I am willing to bet that they will ask you some non-typical-ER stuff like swan-ganz stuff and vasoactive drips. Good thing is the questions are pretty straight forward. I had three clinical questions, critical care stuff, not real nit-picky. Then of course there are all the non-clinical questions about how you've prepared for the rigors of CRNA school, what you have to offer the program, what your weaknesses are, etc. I would plan for all those questions, they will all be asked in one form or another. Also, when they ask you if you have any questions, be prepared. This is your opportunity to show them that you think like someone they want in their program. Ask about leadership opportunities, professional memberships for students, research opportunities. Of course the caveat is that you better actually BE a leader, a professional, and interested in research if you ask these questions. You can sense in the interview that the panel members have finely honed BS detectors. That being said, they will treat you as a professional. I did not feel belittled, intimidated, or inferior at all during the whole process. Good luck!

got mine too! Looks like we're all gonna be classmates...

Had my interview today. I think it went really well. All of the questions were very straight forward, nothing tricky. I felt welcomed and respected (albeit nervous) the whole time. I hope they feel the same way I do, that I am good fit and an excellent candidate for the program. Now the hard part...waiting for an answer.

Congrats on you upcoming interview. I have an interview at UDM on Tuesday (1/23). From what I understand 'the' standard clinical question is "what is the renal dose for a dopamine infusion" and the other standard clinical question is "trace the path that a swan-ganz catheter follows from insertion site to its tip." I've also heard that "what is SVR", "what is afterload", and questions like that may also be asked. I am led to believe that it is unlikely that they will ask for normal hemodynamic values or for equations. Also on the list of probable questions are an ethics question such as: "you see your friend stealing/using narcotics in the clinical setting, what do you do?" and "why do you want to be a CRNA?" or "why did you choose UDM?" and of course "what have you done to prepare yourself personally, financially, academically, clinically, for the program?" I have no proof or personal experience to validate that any of this will actually be asked, but I've talked to more than one current student to gave me the same information independently. Hope this helps! I'd love to hear how your interview went. Good Luck!!!

Hooah!

PUHA (pronounced poo-hah) = Pick Up, Haul Ass Used prehospital when pts need to get to the hospital FAST, the antonym of "stay and play"

Just a note to consider: you sign the contract for active duty BEFORE you finish CRNA school. This means that if you flunk out, quit, or otherwise fail to complete the rigorous Army program, they still have you for the duration of your contract and your job will be based on the needs of the Army. A good friend of mine, and a fantastic ICU nurse, is now staffing a labor and delivery unit for this very reason.

oh yeah, effectiveness can be measured with a STAT PTT = pillow tolerance test..

how about this order: Pillow to face, titrate to flopping

I was an EMT in the army, kept up my license while in nursing school, got a 2.5 in A&P. earned a 3.2 overall in my undergrad, and right now I'm retaking A&P for a better grade and my anesthesia applications are going downrange as soon as the class is over.

"The ICU Book" by Paul Marino is the book to have. It was recommended to me by one of our surgical residents, seems every nurse, resident, and intern around here has a copy or wants one.

"The ICU Book" by Paul Marino is the book to have. It was recommended to me by one of our surgical residents, seems every nurse, resident, and intern around here has a copy or wants one.

My Fiance's grandmother used to tell her: "your body is a private possession, not a public playground" I tell her grandma got it wrong, it's really: "your body is a private playground, not a public possession" makes her blush a little.

thats a looong finger

oh yeah, the first piece of advice I ever got in nursing school was "Air goes in-and-out, blood goes around-and-around, any deviation is a bad thing." worth remembering