meg228

First of all... Thanks Frank! I would pretty much echo exactly what Frank said about our program. The clinical experience you will get at Bridgeport is unmatched (at least in CT). As far as the didactics, I can only assume that you are interviewing for the new 29 month program at Fairfield University as the last class that starts at Southern CT State (the current affiliation) starts in May. I am not sure how the classes will be structured but I know that they are looking to improve the didactic foundation. Don't stress about the interview (easy for me to say) it is very low key. You will meet the program director, assoc. program director and a few docs and then get a tour of the dept with a current student. Plenty of opportunity for you to ask questions and everyone is pretty laid back. Good Luck! Meg

I my current class I am the youngest SRNA at 28 and the oldest SRNA is in her mid-50s. Most of my other fellow studnets are in their 40's. It's never too late:) Good luck!

Kermit, I interviewed at New Britain last year and I am currently a junior student at Bridgeport Hospital. The program director and all of the students at New Britain seemed very nice and overall I came out with a good impression of the program. My major concern about the program however was the amount of clinical experience. The OR itself is pretty small, if I am remembering correctly 8 rooms but don't quote me on that. They also have to send students away to get their regional experience because they are not able to get enough in house (though this is not uncommon in many programs I did not really like the idea). In general the program has a good reputation but is regarded as more of the "country club" program than the others in the state, more laid back, get out early (when I was interviewing at about 1PM the students were leaving for the day), etc... Which is not necessarily a bad thing but just something to keep in mind. As far as competing with residents that shouldn't be a problem, to my knowledge New Britain does not have a residency program (at least in anesthesia). The interview itself was pretty basic, interviewed with the program director and a few CRNAs none of the MDs. They did ask some clinical questions but nothing too hard. I hope this helps. Good Luck!

I was not an RRT but one of my fellow SRNAs was and I can only see it as having been an asset to her. As far as getting in to school I think as long as you have all appropriate pre-reqs you will be fine though you may have more luck with MS programs as opposed to MSN programs. Good Luck!

I applied to all 3 programs in CT. Small state, good odds:) New Britain General Hospital- interviewed, not accepted Hospital of St Raphael- interviewed, accepted, declined Bridgeport Hospital- interviewed, accepted, start at the end of May! Good luck to everyone!!

I got a 30,000 unsecured loan throught Sallie Mae's Tuition Answer Loan program. It was very easy and they don't go through the school at all other than requesting a letter confirming your enrollment and they also tack on the fees and whatnot onto the amount. I got a check made out to me for 30000 within a couple of weeks of applying. You do have to have a job and make at least 15,000 a year I think...so apply before leaving your job if at all possible. Also I think that they just raised the max loan amount to $40000. Good Luck!

Congratulations!! I was accepted to St Raphael's but did not get in to New Britain. I also got in to Bridgeport though and have decided to go there. Any thoughts as to which you will choose? Good Luck!

Damon, I was there for about 2 hours not much more:)

Hi! I hope that I am not too late in posting... I interviewed at New Britain in the beginning of October and overall it was a pretty painless experience. First let me say that everyone there from the program director to the students to the MDAs is VERY nice and not looking to intimidate at all. First I met with the program director and I had actually gotten a heads up about what to expect from another person on this board who had interviewed the week before. She basically covered exactly what he told me that she would which was: 1-ARDS pathophysiology and Tx?, 2- IABP indications and use?, 3- PA catheters their use and the effect of various pt conditions on the numbers?, 4- General info re:vasoactive gtts their indications and use in specific patient populations? For the other interviewee she did not lead in to these questions much and just basically let him talk about what he knew about these subjects. In my case she asked me to discuss a specific patient I had recently taken care of and we basically covered all of these topics (except the IABP which I have very little experience with so I just explained to her what I knew about it's indications and use and she seems satisfied with that). Next I met with another staff CRNA then one of their MDAs then went on a tour with one of the students. Overall, like I said I got a very good feeling from the program. Good luck in your interview!! Feel free to e-mail me if you have any other questions, Meghan [email protected]

Thanks everyone!!

Is it appropriate to send a thank you note to the program director after interviewing for a CRNA program? I usually send one after a job interview but I wasn't sure of the etiquette in this situation. I don't want to seem like too much of a "suck-up" but I do think it would be a nice gesture. Opinions please. Thanks

I am currently working the personal statement for my applications for next year. I was just wondering if any of you seasoned CRNAs or SRNAs had any pearls of wisdom as to important things to include/not include, etc... I feel like I have too much to say and I may need to trim it down a little. Also, it has been a while since I have actually written a paper and I can't remember what that generally accepted font size to use is... Any input would be appreciated, Thanks!!

Just wanted to thank everyone for all of their input. I definitely plan on contacting the programs to find out what they reccomend as well. Also just to clarify what duckboy said. TNCC (which I already have) is not quite like CCRN. It is more like an advanced ACLS class pertaining more to trauma related topics. There in a certification for ED nurses called CEN which I think is more along the lines of what Athlein1 was referring to. Any other thoughts as to how helpful undergrad physics would be?? Thanks Again!

I was wondering if anyone had started taking graduate classes prior to being accepted in to a CRNA program to get a "head start". If so, any reccomendations for which classes are best? Obviously it would be somewhat program specific but in general I was just wondering if this is a common practice. I am also pondering whether or not to go back and take an undergrad physics class as this was not included in my B.S. curriculum. I have heard confilicting opinions as to how helpful it would be. Let me know what you think!! Thanks!

Coug RN, thanks for the link. Definitely some helpful info in that thread. I too noticed that no one really seems to be posting about schools in the northeast which the area that I am focusing on. Thanks again!!