CAPRN77

I am in my final year of Northeastern's Anesthesia program so I can tell you a little about my interview. First, they ask you the basic questions, such as why you're interested in anesthesia, why NEU, etc. But, the biggest focus is on clinical scenario. Be prepared to show them that you know your stuff clinically. They'll probably ask something along the line of "Tell us about one of the more challenging patients you've recently taken care of, how were they being managed, and why were they being managed that way. They don't want an answer like "Well thats how the doctor ordered it." They want to see that you understand the pathophysiology of the disease as well as understand treatment modalities. Whatever you do tell them, be prepared to elaborate. For example, I mentioned something about a patient with cardiomyopathy and critical aortic stenosis, and that was immediately followed with the question "What do you think would be one of the biggest challenges in providing anesthesia to a patient with cardiomyopathy and critical AS?". I mentioned something about the IABP and that was met with "tell me about the physiology of the balloon pump." So, basically they want to see that you're a professional, have a solid critical care background, and you know what you're talking about. Good luck with you interviews! Remember, getting in to the program is absolutely the easiest part of it.

Yes you are. You have to finish CRNA school if they expect you to be able to perform as a CRNA. Also, the deployments for CRNA's are 90 days "boots on ground" but it can be as often as once a year. That means that you spend 90 in the country to which you are deployed. The total length of the activation may be longer but that additional time is spent in the U.S. training and what not. Many CRNA's that I've talked to have chosen to stay on their deployment longer than the 90 days though. This is because they felt like it was their duty and it also helps them avoid another deployment within a year.

The Army Reserve has a program called STRAP (specialized training assistance program). In this program, while you're in school you get a stiped of $1,906 per month and you also get your monthly drill pay (probably around $400/month depending on rank and prior service). You're only commitment while you're in school is to fax a paper to the Army each month verifying that you're still in school. There is also $50,000 for loan repayment in addition to the stipend and the drill pay. Your obligation will then be 2 years in the reserves for each year that you received the stipend. I am currently in CRNA school and I just went back into the Army and will start receiving STRAP payments as soon as all the administrative stuff goes through. The Navy Reserve also has essentially the same program. PM me with questions. Chris

I have just re-entered the Army Reserves and officer basic is currently 25 days for reservists and its at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio. As far as the physicals, thats probably just what your unit does for "drill." However, as a reservist, there is a very good chance that you could get activated and/or deployed. If this happens, then you will have opportunities other than doing physicals. If you are interested in "soldier stuff", you may get this as well even without getting activated. Even though I was just commissioned a few weeks ago, I am prior enlisted (I was an LPN) so I do have experience in the reserves. At that time, I belonged to a field hospital and for drill we would go to the ED of a nearby hospital. However, this was not the case every week. Some weekends we would go to the range and fire weapons all day for example. For annual training (AT), you will surely do something other than physicals. AT varies greatly from year to year and from unit to unit. You mentioned you wanted to get your BSN and the Army Reserve may be able to help you with that. I am currently a CRNA student and I am participating in the Army STRAP (specialized training assistance program). While I'm in school, I get my drill pay each month which is $543 (My pay based on my rank and 8 years of prior service) and I also get a stipend of $1906 each month. While I'm in school my only obligation is to fax something to the Army that verifies that I'm still in school. I will owe 2 years in the reserves for each year I receive the stipend. I will also get $50,000 for loan repayment. Now, I'm not sure, but I think this program is available for ADN nurses going back to get their BSN. You could either ask the AMEDD recruiter or check the Army recruiting website. I would recommend asking your recruiter if he can put you in contact with some nurses from the unit that you would be in and you can ask them about their experiences. They will best be able to tell what its like to be a nurse in that unit.

I also forgot to mention that Cape Cod is not too far from here either. Also, there are some very nice areas of Rhode Island that are very close, such as Newport and Portsmouth.

I live in Fall River which is in Southeastern MA, aka "Southcoast area". There are two main cities in this area which are Fall River and New Bedford. There are also several smaller rural towns in the area, most of which are very nice (Somerset, Swansea, Westport, Dartmouth, etc.). The area is very close to the ocean and beaches. I believe that the price of houses are among the least expensive in the state. I am about 50 minutes south of Boston and Providence, RI is about 20 minutes to the west of me so it is not too far to reach the amenities of the either city. There are some community hospitals in the area such as Charlton Memorial, St. Anne's Hospital, and St. Luke's Hospital. There are also quite a few large teaching hospitals in Providence if Boston is too long of a commute for you. Just figured I'd give my area of the state some props since nobody else has yet.

I went to a community college for my ADN and then transferred to a University for my BSN (just like you plan on doing) and I will start CRNA school this fall at Northeastern University in Boston. So no, I don't think it will hurt your chances at all.

I would also like to know why you were unhappy in the CRNA role, especially since I start a CRNA program this fall. Thanks

Northeastern University in Boston tries to keep you at the same facility for all of your clinical. There may be an occasional rotation to another site if you are not getting enough of a certain type of case at your facility but all of the clinical sites are pretty much in the same general vicinity.

I've been accepted to Northeastern University in Boston with a 1030 on the math and verbal and a 5.5 on the written. My GPA was a 3.54

Starting Northeastern University Boston in September 2007!

I'm quite jealous! I start my CRNA program in the fall and I am so anxious to get started so I can have that same feeling that you are having now. Congrats and keep it up!

I would say that it would be better to gain your critical care experience while working toward your BSN. That is exactly what I did. I am not yet in a CRNA program, but I do have an interview next month so apparently its not imperative that you gain your ICU experience as a BSN. Also, I hear that just barely meeting the requirements is rarely if ever good enough to get into a program. I agree that the two years of experience would look better.

A few days before Christmas I received an e-mail stating that I have been selected for an interview. However, I do realize that this in no way means that I have been accepted. I know that several people are granted interviews and are still denied admission. I got my BSN from UMass Dartmouth. I've been working in critical care for 4 years. I worked in a Med-Surg ICU and now have been working in CCU for the last year. I got a 1030 on my GRE with a 5.5 on the written part. My GPA was 3.54. Anyway, thanks for your reply.

pinoyNP, I do have another question. Did you learn the "technical" skills such as triple lumen and Swan placement in school or did you learn them on the job?