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seansanf120

seansanf120

PICU
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seansanf120 has 3 years experience and specializes in PICU.

seansanf120's Latest Activity

  1. seansanf120

    Minneapolis School of Anesthesia

    seansanf120 replied to Prince815's topic in SRNA

    My first interview was with the program director and she told me a little bit about the program then she said, "tell me about you." that was it! I wen on to talk about how I got to this point, why I wanted to do anesthesia, and why my family was ready for the challenge. Then I asked her questions for about 20min. My second interview was with an associate director who asked me "why CRNA school, why MSA, what do u like about your job, what makes you frustrated about your job," then I asked her questions that I didn't get answered in the first interview. I was scarred, big time going into the interview, but my nerves switched to excitement when I could talk about my experiences in the OR and why I want to be a CRNA. They will sense your apprehension, and fears, likewise they will know the ones who are excited about the opportunity as well. Seriously, they make it as easy as possible for you. Try not to get so nervous, I know it's easier said than done.
  2. seansanf120

    Minneapolis School of Anesthesia

    seansanf120 replied to Prince815's topic in SRNA

    Your interview wont last 2 hours. Those are the time blocks they have in reserved for the interviews. My first one lasted 45 min and my second one only lasted around 20 min. A few classmates of mine only has 10-15 min interviews. It just depends on how many questions you have for them at the end, and I suggest you have at least a few that can stem some conversation and not just a simple yes/no. The health insurance offered through the school is available through Blue Cross/Blue Sheild, but it's not great. A higher premium will yield to a lower monthly payment, but it's still quite expensive. MN care is another option for full time grad students I believe. The school will give you insurance options/plans on the first day of class. I have a family as well, but my wife picked us up on her health care plan.
  3. seansanf120

    Minneapolis School of Anesthesia

    seansanf120 replied to Prince815's topic in SRNA

    Hello everyone, I am currently in my first year of the Program and I can tell you that this program is excellent. They give the nuts and bolts of wht you need to know to perform in clinical then in the secon week of November you're in the OR. I can tell you about the interview which is extremely laid back. They want to see how well you can handle/express yourself in a stressful situation. Their is no quizzing on Pharm or A/P or anything like that. They want you to just be yourself because as the previous poster had said, they do look at the whole picture when it comes to acceptance and they do want a mix of students in the class. My class has a little bit of everything; people with SICU, MICU, PICU, ect... I had 3.5 years in a PICU. Your LOR are very important, as one instructor had told me, if they see any negative comments in your letter, that is a red flag and they start to question whether the student will be right for the program. As far as your experience goes, as long as you have 1 year by the time you start the program, then that fulfills the requirement. I will also tell you that we had a student quit 1.5 months into the program because she said anesthesia wasn't for her. If you're applying, make sure this is something you really want to do. You don't want to take a spot from someone who really wants this, just my two cents. Oh one more thing, they get aroun 200 applications each year, interview aroun 80 and select 33 students. Good luck and I'll be happy to answer any questions. Sean
  4. seansanf120

    Personal/Goal Statement

    seansanf120 replied to tmate's topic in SRNA

    tmate, I can tell you that your goal statement is exactly that. Why do you want to be an Anesthetist? I can't tell you what you're goals are, but I can tell you that my essay was more like a story talking about how I got exposed to anesthesia and the role of the CRNA. I then talked about experiences I've had chronicolling my time in the military as an Air Force Medic, my time in nursing school and when I was an Anesthesia Aide, and my time as a PICU nurse. I also talked about my job shadowing experience. I would say that you want to give them a reason to want to hear more from you in an interview. I breifly touched on those items mentioned above, and I spoke more about them in detail during my interview. I made sure every sentence had a purpose, and that I didn't repeat myself at all. It also took me about six months from start to finish to be happy with a draft I felt was perfect. If I were you I would just start to free write, and write down things that pop into your head to maybe jump start an idea or a theme you want to convey. Pretty soon you'll find that you have a ton of information, and you'll be scrambling to make it all fit on one page. You'll be fine, just take your time and have people proof read it. Good luck!!! seansanf120
  5. seansanf120

    What was your path to ICU after nursing school?

    seansanf120 replied to gydget's topic in SRNA

    Hi there, I was actually in my preceptorship in my last semester as a nursing student when a position opened up in the PICU where I was doing my preceptorship. I applied, my preceptor talked to the nurse manager, I interviewed with the nurse manager, and later that week I got the job offer. Did you get into an ICU for your preceptorship? If you did, I would definatley ask your preceptor for a LOR for you if you apply elsewhere. There are new grad positions in ICU's all over the country, you just have to find them. Good luck in your endevours.
  6. seansanf120

    How much does your school cost? I'll go first.

    seansanf120 replied to Air'n's topic in SRNA

    Minneapolis School of Anesthesia, class of 2013, and the tuition is $33,000 for the 27 months, and that includes books, and such. I am probably looking at an additional $40,000 for living expenses, and save what I don't spend and pay that back right away with whatever money I have left. I also have to pay for parking every clinical day. You do have to think of the little costs that will add up, and whatever bills you might have throughout the program.
  7. seansanf120

    Minneapolis School of Anesthesia

    seansanf120 replied to JOONKA's topic in SRNA

    When I got there, the secretary took me to the library where I had my interview, and I was not shown the facility. However, when I turned in my application in back in June I was given a tour, but it's not that much of one. There are two classrooms that the program uses, a library, and a small cafeteria, that's it. It's in a community center located on the second floor. I know exactly how you feel, about being nervous, but just be yourself, and you should do fine, but like I said earlier, and especially now after my interview, I have no idea what they're looking for. Good luck to you! sean
  8. seansanf120

    Minneapolis School of Anesthesia

    seansanf120 replied to JOONKA's topic in SRNA

    Riley, I did have my interview, and it wen't pretty much like I had expected. It was a lot of "get to know you" type of conversation. I felt great after leaving, but as time has past, I just don't know. It's hard to tell what they're really looking for. I met with two of the three program directors, and both of them were very nice and pleasant to talk to. It lasted about 40min with the first interviewer, and about 20-25min with the other director. I would say that it went as well as I could of expected. I wish you the best of luck, and let me know how your'e interview goes. Sean
  9. seansanf120

    Minneapolis School of Anesthesia

    seansanf120 replied to JOONKA's topic in SRNA

    The Twin Cities are awesome! The weather is variable at best, and the 4 months of winter are brutal, but the rest of the seasons are beautiful. The people are really friendly, and there's tons of stuff to do if you down time in the program. The interview is a lot of "tell me about yourself" "why do you want to be an anesthetist?" There aren't a lot of quiz questions or anything like that like some programs have. I am simply telling you what I've heard, and I can't say for sure so don't quote me on it. All of the students that I've talked to have told me that they would do the program over in a heartbeat, so that's good enough for me. Let me know if you have any other questions that I might be able to answer. seansanf120
  10. seansanf120

    Minneapolis School of Anesthesia

    seansanf120 replied to JOONKA's topic in SRNA

    Hello, I am planning on applying to the program for 2011 as well. I have heard nothing but great things about the program, and the instructors. I know that you go to five different clinical sites which includes a rural facility, and a pediatric facility. I have worked with other SRNA when I was an Anesthesia Aide, and they say it's not fun, but they're very happy to have been a part of MSA. If you go to www.nurseanesthesia.org then you will find out what the program consists of and what you need for a completed application. Where are you from? I work here in St Paul in the PICU at Childrens. Let me know if you have any other questions, and maybe with a little luck we will be classmates. seansanf120
  11. seansanf120

    Is it compulsory to get icu experience to become crna?

    seansanf120 replied to kocheli's topic in SRNA

    Hi there, I know nothing about Dallas, other than the Cowboys suck, but I can give you advice on your ICU position. A lot of people go to the ICU to get into Anesthesia school one day. Be careful doing this though, because if you go to the ICU you better be prepared to learn about vents, how to titrate drips, how to perform detailed head to toe assessments, and how to recognize the smallest details that could mean the difference between the patient staying alive or dying. So if you don't respect the position/unit/patients, and just want to put your time in, the ICU and the staff will eat you alive. Enjoy the work and the knowledge you will get out of the ICU, and you'll be just fine. Good luck
  12. seansanf120

    I need some advise on ICU jobs

    seansanf120 replied to murse04's topic in SRNA

    If I were in your shoes, I would take the SICU job close to your home in the level II hospital. The reason is because of the short distance to your home, and anesthesia schools don't really care a whole lot what type of ICU you have, as long as you have the year of experience. The University of MN is a level II, but has a rediculous SICU that is full of sick patients that are vented, and have multiple drips, and have produced a ton of anesthesia students. If you think that this move will hinder your chances, then get your CCRN cert to show that you have the knowledge about high acuity patient care skills. Good luck with whatever you choose, but if you're determined that you are going to one day don the mask as a CRNA then it will happen! seansanf120
  13. seansanf120

    The translation from an ICU nurse to an CRNA

    seansanf120 replied to aflac381's topic in SRNA

    Hi there, You bring up a good question, and I can only speak from students' posts that I've read that are similar to the question you've posted, and from students that are currently in school. While being a traveling ICU nurse would be an amazing experience, and expose you to a variety of complex patients, you would typically be treated like a "float team" nurse, and not get the sickest patients. This is only from what I have heard, so don't quote me on that. The schools know this, and can probably gage what type of patients you've taken care of better if you've been exclusive to one unit like a SICU. However, if you do become a traveling ICU nurse you need to be sure to promote the skills you've learned in your letter on intent, and in your interview. To answer your next question, I would NEVER tell your manager in your interview, or anytime before needing a letter of rec from him/her that you're planning on applying to anesthesia school. It can be assumed by many, and that's ok, but don't tell anyone you're going. With that said, I wish you luck in your last 1.5 years of nursing school, and good luck in your future endevours. seansanf120
  14. seansanf120

    How does age affect selection to CRNA program?

    seansanf120 replied to masjoy's topic in SRNA

    Hi there, I don't think it has any disadvantage being a "seasoned" nurse. A coworker of mine just finished CRNA school, and she is 52. If you have a great interview, and explain to them why you want to be a CRNA, then I don't think your age will have anything to do with whether or not you get accepted. I would suggest going for it if you want it bad enough. Don't let a silly number get in your way. Good Luck!
  15. seansanf120

    I need some CRNA school advice

    seansanf120 replied to KateBSNRN's topic in SRNA

    If I were you I would get out of the OR as soon as you can get into an ICU. I am just speaking from schools in my neck of the woods, but they feel that ER and OR nurses without much ICU experience don't do as well. It's a totally different ball game in the ICU. However don't throw your experience as an OR nurse out the window. You are exposed to the CRNA profession everyday which is more than most people. So get in the ICU, and take the CCRN cert once you have the hours put in. I would also try to do volunteer work or join some associations, and you can also get smaller certs in specialized areas in the ICU like hemofiltration, ECMO, things like that. First step is to get in the ICU, STAT!
  16. seansanf120

    I need some CRNA school advice

    seansanf120 replied to KateBSNRN's topic in SRNA

    KateBSNRN, My advice for you would be to strengthen areas which will drag your application down. For instance, your GPA is low. Is that because you didn't do well in your science classes, or were they liberal arts classes? If you did poorly in sciences classes, then I would retake them. Strive to get A's in A&P, and Chemistry. Then get yourself into an ICU, you mentioned Cardiac ICU which would be a great clinical experience. Get your CCRN cert, this will help make up for lowsy grades, but since your GPA is too low for anesthesia school, I would start there. Keep your head up, and have a great attitude. I hear the interview is a big portion along with letters of rec which it sounds like you have some good resources. Good luck with your endevour!
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