stunt362

Nothing!!! Relax, rest, spend time with your family & friends, read for pleasure, sleep! In all honesty, studying before school will not be very helpful & they are going to teach you everything anyway. You are about to have 2.5 intense years, enjoy this break! Travel!! & if you can afford it, take at least 2-3 weeks before school to not work & just recuperate & get rested. It'll be great!! Message me with any questions :)

National University is located in Fresno, not LA. The schools in California are USC, Kaiser/CSUF (based in Pasadena), Loma Linda, National University (Fresno), and Samuel Merritt (Oakland). You can go to the specific school websites for more detailed information on each program.

As said before, the clinical component of the interviews are based completely on what you put on your resume and application. If you say you worked in a neuro ICU, expect neuro questions. If you say you were a heart nurse, prove it. If you say you worked with IABPs, know everything you can about them. The main thing is to not get flustered or try to BS your way through a question you don't know. Breathe, collect yourself, and say you don't know if you don't. They will ask you questions until you reach this point.

I am a SRNA at Loma Linda. As a clarification, the tuition is about $95k, the program is 2.5 years long, and my class has 14 people. The incoming class will be 16. It is a more expensive program, but you get your moneys worth. It is a really strong, solid program and I have no complaints so far. All of the clinicals are local (in San Bernardino and Riverside counties), so there is no commuting. It is a very difficult, challenging program (a few of the classes are based on the medical school curriculum but more focused to anesthesia). State of the art simulation lab and cadaver lab. The faculty are all very nice, supportive, and encouraging. When I was completing my applications, I did also interview with National University in Fresno as well. Their program is brand new also with their first class having started last April. Their campus is very nice. I have no complaints about the interview process at all. It was organized and efficient, and all of the faculty were very nice and helpful. They also have a simulation lab, but on a smaller scale. The class that I interviewed for was 10 people, not sure how many people they will be admitting this year. Their tuition is about $50k, if I remember correctly.

Your L&D experience will not count at all towards the critical care requirements, regardless of the acuity. The requirements are specific in that you need a minimum of 1yr ICU experience (typically adult ICU). Schools usually allow you to apply as long as you will meet the requirements by the time the program starts, but this certainly doesn't guarantee you a spot.

I started in ER and then transferred to ICU. Definitely the best option as you will get a lot of practice with your skills in ER (IVs, foleys, codes, etc.).

Sounds like everyone's interview questions were different, but they are based off of your experience listed on the application and your resume.

Did you end up retaking it and/or applying? Have you looked into schools that do not require the GRE?

Definitely get your CCRN. While most schools list this as recommended, it is better to think of it as required.

I would definitely contact the specific school you are applying for, as there is not a standard answer for this. The science classes included vary. My school included all science courses taken. No math or statistics included. GPAs in question were Science, Cumulative, and last 60 units.

That's great! Are you local, or will you be moving?

Me too!! :)

I think there would still be a chance for 2nd interview, unless the other applicants are just more qualified. Hoping for good news, as this is definitely what I want to do and the program seems really great. Either way, hopefully we will find out sooner rather than later!!

In our group, there was only 1 person (the other local) who is an employee at LLU. If I don't get in, I'll just reapply for next year. But hoping I don't have to worry about that!! Have you applied/interviewed anywhere else? What did you get on your HSRT? I got a 25. Was initially concerned but they said that is a good score.

I was one of the closest from the group I met. I met 3 from LA area, 2 from Atlanta, and 1 other local. I will stay where I am, because the commute is not bad. I am married, so it would be easier for myself and my husband to stay put. What about you? I did apply to Kaiser but was not invited for an interview. I also applied and interviewed with National University in Fresno (a new program). I was placed on the wait list with #1 position but have yet to receive an offer. Their program starts April 9, so it's looking like a no. However, Loma Linda is definitely my top choice due to location and reputation of the school/program. Have you interviewed anywhere else? How do you feel about your Loma Linda interview?