Smallfoot2

Finals went well in December - we're getting ready for Spring finals right now though! FYI, Mairelys has been on maternity leave for a few months and just got back in the office. You all enjoy your Summer and spend lots of time with your families!

Congratulations on getting into the program!! I am a junior in the FIU CRNA program (if you interviewed on Thursday you might have seen me in one of the interview groups). I am grateful to upperclassmen who gave me advice on this website when I was in your shoes, so I'm trying to pass it on. Just a reminder when you choose where you are going to live... you will only go to the school campus a maximum of 2 times per week, but you will be going to clinical up to 4 times per week during the program. The class ahead of you lives all over. There are several that live close to the school, but I'd say most are not as close as you'd think. At least 10 of us (including myself) live in the Hollywood/Pembroke Pines/Miramar area, and drive down the turnpike to school. We actually have 2 students that live in Palm Beach county, but that is because they already have homes there. Driving is just something you'll have to deal with and get used to around here. One advantage is that we go places early - currently I have to be at the hospital at 6am, so I am ahead of rush hour traffic. I'm not from here, so there are probably others that can give better advice about specific locaations, but I just wanted to getting you thinking about where you'll spend the majority of your time...

Congrats on getting in! I'm a year ahead of you in the program, and moved from Illinois. It's possible!! As you get looking to move and have any questions, feel free to email me ([email protected]). I'll do my best to answer any questions between my busy schedule!

I was accepted last year, so I'm a first year "Junior" student this year. They have us around to answer questions and stuff, so I'll be there on Thursday. If I remember correctly, there were three professors from the school, and one student interviewing me. They ask their questions based off of your answers. I think they asked me what my typical patient was like, and then asked some clinical questions based on my answer (remember, you can steer your interview by what you say!).

The spend about 2 hours going over a powerpoint about the program, then they show you the SIM lab while you take turns with individual interviews (three interviewing groups at once). In my interview, they asked me to interpret an EKG, an ABG, and asked what my most common three drips were in ICU. After I answered, they started drilling me on the three drips. Know every intricate detail of any drugs that you bring up, such as receptor sites, MOA, etc. In any interview (not just FIU), remember, you can steer your interview. Applicants come from many different critical-care backgrounds with varying experience. They will only question you on things that you should know for your area, or things you use a lot, or things that any kind of critical-care nurse should know. So if you claim you use Levophed a lot but don't know anything about it, bad choice - you should have never brought up the drug. Also, do not offer/volunteer any more information than they ask you. For FIU, have a financial plan and a back-up plan. They want to know that finances will not be a hindrance to finishing your degree. Good Luck! I might see you if you interview on Thursday!

Last year for interviews they spent about 2 hours discussing the program with us, then showed us the SIM lab, and conducted individual interviews (three interviewing groups going at once). I was done and leaving by 1pm.

Hi 1happymom, I am thoroughly enjoying the program at FIU. I am happy with my classes and clinical experiences so far. The only negative I have found so far is that during the first semester 3 of our classes are online. They are not anesthesia classes, only MSN level core classes necessary for getting any kind of Masters in Nursing degree, so they are fairly easy classes, but annoying being online. These three classes are Patho, Pharm, and Assessment. If you apply and get accepted, I would try to get Patho and/or Pharm out of the way a semester before you actually start the program. Other than that, I'm very happy with the program. Sorry I have no knowledge of UM. I'm not from the area and don't even know anyone that goes there either. Hope that helps!

Just got an email today telling me I got accepted! I guess someone backed out and opened an alternate spot for me!

I was placed on the alternate list for FIU. Does anyone know how many people they place on the alternate list each year?

I know this is an old post, but people still search for and read them, so I'll give an updated answer to the question: PCC is approved by the Florida State Board of Nursing so that grads my sit for the NCLEX in all 50 states. However, they are not "accredited" in any way by anyone at this point. PCC is in the midst of applying for accreditation for the whole school, but I have not heard anything about applying for accreditation by any nursing accrediting bodies such as NLN. This has been a bit of an issue getting into grad school, but no problem getting a nursing job! (I'm an '08 Grad of PCC's BSN program)