Simpson1980

Where are you coming from 3yearstogo? I came down from Lewiston, Id (1300 miles north, but not that cold). So tips for the interview....be yourself in the actual interview. The questions are behavioral ONLY. They will put you in academic situations and want to know what you will do. (e.g. what will you do if you fail your first test? How do you study? How is your anatomy? Chemistry? Physics? Just be straight with them, they are going to teach you everything you need to know here. Others...How do you relax? What was the last book you have read? Also...why will you be a good CRNA, student, graduate? Study up on ACLS and EKG's for the exam after the interviews...it is a multiple choice test that does not affect your admission status but lets the faculty know where the class is as a whole. Can't hurt to have a good score. 50 questions...pretty basic info r/t ACLS EKG's. Dress nice! All of my group members were wearing suits. Relax! Be on time! Lots of eye contact and smiling...you know the drill. Good luck all and see you in July, don't hesitate if you have more questions, I would be happy to assist as it gives me a nice break from studying.

There is one student in our program now that interviewed by himself. He is also in the Army and had a conflict of schedules. I would call (program director) at her office, # should be online. You will probably have to do a finacial aid seminar on your own but I am sure they could give you the basic ACLS/EKG test (multiple choice with one essay question)here when you interview on your own. She is very pleasant and professional. Better sooner than later. I think they will work with you. Good Luck and see you in July, or whenever you come.

I was part of a second round of interviews. My application was due Nov. 1st and I got my notification (via email) that I was invited to interview on Dec. 24th. I then had to schedule the interview (online) and had about 20 days to book a flight and get a hotel. I interviewed Jan. 16th. I think you should look for your invite a little earlier though, early to mid-July. I also called the director a couple times asking when we would be notified. She was always polite and helpful. Don't think of it as being impatient, but rather MOTIVATED, and here at Midwestern...they love that. As for the sim lab, it appears to be very cool. We had a class in the room and thats when it became very real, seeing the anesthesia machines and interactive dummies. We have not used the sim lab, nor will we until we are done with our first quarter of basic sciences (very busy). Good luck and hope to see you in July.

Best of luck Rocco....you will love the campus as it is state of the art. Many of the buildings are brand new and the faculty has been great. Part two of that is...this has been the longest week of my life Rocco. No joke. The academic load that we have been handed is unlike anything I have ever experienced. I should not even be replying to this post but I needed a break from reading. I will also say that I have learned so much in such a short period of time that it is exciting to think about what will be in my head by the end of next week let alone the end of the year. So, to answer your question...I think CRNA school is just what the SRNA posts have been describing. Endless studying, very little "you" time, and difficulty getting my brain to turn off at night so that I can get some shuteye. I was however told that "it is worth it in the end". :) Good Luck, hope to see you in July or August during the interviews.

I was 3.5 GPA with all the certs. I have worked 3 years in Adult ICU and have been an RN for almost 4 years. I also work the ER on occasion and have actually been cross trained to the Birthing Center believe it or not. Like APwips above, they asked me about committees I serve on at work (Rapid Response, Code Blue, and CHF) as well as a directed study I did in nursing school r/t Nurse Anesthesia. I had some shadow experience with several CRNA's as well. So, based on your info, I think you are more than competitive. If you really want it, it is going to happen Millie. Just be yourself in the interview and try not to stress too much in the upcoming weeks, I learned that it does not increase my chance of getting in but it does take years off of my life. Good luck and let me know how it goes, I think you'll be fine :)

I was part of a second round of interviews for the program. There were probably 30-35 people interviewing for 10 spots in January. Applications were due Nov. 1 and I got my letter on Dec. 24th (Best Christmas gift...ever). I think the summer routine is about the same wait based on the old messages on this site. June 1 deadline with many interviews in Aug. I would expect notification sometime mid-July. I would expect that you will interview with about the same ratio. 3:1 (3 apps/1 accepted). Good Luck and don't sweat it, it's out of your hands now, you got the app done, enjoy your summer. :)

I worked medical-surgical for one year and then made the swith to ICU. I have worked there for the last 3 years and start my CRNA program this June!! Many hospitals do not like to hire new grads into the ICU but if you show them the desire and will, you might find yourself a position. The other part of the equation is the cost of training someone for critical care that wants to leave for CRNA school ASAP. Orienting a new ICU nurse is expensive and time consuming. They will want a return for thier investment. I am not telling you to deceive your employer, I just wouldn't let it be known that you intend on leaving for CRNA school the first chance you get. I knew I wanted to be a CRNA before I started nursing school but I would not trade the one year of experience I got on the medical-surgical unit. Good luck and keep representing Idaho Murses...I am in your elite club :)

The interview process was not nearly as bad as the wait involved to find out if I was even selected for an interview. I met at the school around 8am in a room filled with applicants for different programs at Midwestern. About 15-20 of those applicants were for the anesthesia program. The day started with an intro to the finacial aid process that lasted about 1 hour. I then sat in another room for about an hour waiting for my turn to interview with the other applicants. The interview lasted about 30 minutes and was pretty laid back. Most of the questions were behavioral with a few basic clinical questions. "Why would you be a good CRNA?", "How do you study?", "What are your strengths/weakness?","What are you going to do if you fail your first Biochem test?" are some of the questions I remember. There were two people in the room asking me questions. I was nervous at the start but that quickly faded. We then had lunch with current students (very helpful) and had a campus tour in the Arizona heat. The day finished with a multiple choice test involving ACLS/CCRN questions with an essay question to finish. I felt pretty good about the test. I was told by the program director that the test was for evaluation of the educational needs of the incoming class only, and that it did not affect your chances of being accepted. Hope this helps. Good luck and maybe I will see you when you eat lunch with the current students!!!

If you really want to to do it, don't let anything stop you. I graduated BSN in a class of 45 and nearly half made it known they would like to pursue anesthesia. Likewise, the work population is also similar. Many people like the IDEA of becoming a CRNA. I kept the fact that I had applied to schools very low profile. In fact, only those who wrote my reference letters knew. When I got my interview it slowly began to leak into the workplace. When I was accepted....it didn't matter. Now even more co-workers like the IDEA of becoming a CRNA. My point is, keep focused on what YOU want to do, don't worry about the jobs, they are out there...everywhere. Good luck in the future :) I start in June of 2009 and couldn't be more excited!!!

You sound like you are on the right path. Your GPA will be fine if you stick with it. I too was engineering before I got my BSN. Many programs look at the last 100 or so credit hours with a keen eye on the basic sciences. I have TNCC. ACLS, PALS, NRP, and BLS. I have worked in the ICU for 2 years 5 months and start my program in June of 2009. Stay the course :)

Go for the gold!!! I am 28, graduated BSN at 25 and will be starting in June of 2009!!! I have 2 years and 5 months ICU experience. Can't hurt to get going as soon as you can. Good Luck :)

Hi Lexi, I am not having any luck locating other students that will be attending Midwestern this June, how about you? Got my books in the mail about 3 weeks ago...wow!!! The best aadvice I got is from a former graduate, he said "hit the books running". Keep in touch and see you on June 3rd :)

Hey LexiRN80, I coming to Glendale from Lewiston, Idaho (1200 miles north). Where are you coming from? I am so excited to get this started, congrats on being accepted!!! Looking forward to meeting fellow classmates and future CRNA's in June.

Hi LexiRN80, I will be coming to Glendale from Lewiston, Idaho.....a long cold ways away...how bout you, where you coming from? I am so excited, I have wanted this for so long and now it is finally here. Congrats on being accepted, I have just now realized how really lucky we are after reading on this site for the last 2 months. Looks like June 3rd it all starts!!!

Hi All, I just got word today that I have been accepted to Midwestern University Class of 2011. Excited, nervous, and anxious at the same time. Just curious of who will be joining me in June. Figured I would try to get a head start on meeting my classmates and future CRNA's !!!!