Jleech88

I interviewed with the U of MN last year. The interview focused more on personality and "get to know you" type of questions (why anesthesia, why the U, why now, explain a situation when...etc.). No clinical questions were presented; however, there was a couple questions regarding the DNP curriculum and the autonomy of APRN providers. The climate was non-intimidating and the faculty were professional and welcoming. You also get to talk briefly with current CRNA students while you wait for your interview to help bring down the stress. Good luck!

I received an acceptance letter yesterday; however I will be attending another program. My status never changed online. Best of luck!

In total, I received 2 flat-out rejection letters and 3 letters stating I was placed on an alternate list (totals for both years applying). I was fortunate to be accepted in my second year of applying and I know there are many individuals who apply for a few years before being accepted. My best advice is to keep up the hard work, stay focused, and don't let the process discourage you from attaining your goals.

Just updating this thread to let everyone how the last year panned out. I followed through with the improvements I mentioned in my initial post. Of the two programs I applied to (both local) I was granted an interview at both programs and landed on the wait list at both programs. I was already in the process of researching out-of-state programs this past month when within a week I was offered a seat at both of the programs from the wait-list. I was very fortunate to be given a decision on which program to attend. With respect to community college vs. university courses, these two programs did not seem to favor one to the other when considering undergraduate science courses, assuming the courses are from an accredited institution. I will mention that the programs liked to see graduate level courses (pathophysiology, chemistry, stats, pharmacology, etc.) as this indicated you could succeed at the graduate level of education. So aside from chem courses to meet admission requirements, it would seem that undergrad courses would not be as beneficial to an application if graduate classes are an option. I would certainly contact each program individually with respect to this inquiry, however. Overall, I strongly encourage anyone in the process to stay driven and stay positive. It's certainly easier said than done; however, it was the feedback and motivation I received from my prior rejection letters which allowed me to hone my application and stay focused. Best of luck!

Thanks! I am in Minneapolis, roughly 15 miles from the school so the location could not be better.

I received a letter today from MSA, offering me a spot from the alternate list for the class starting this Fall. I'll be accepting and I'm very fortunate to have this opportunity. Best of luck to those in the application process.

andrewmorgan-Congrats! Out of curiosity, would you feel comfortable mentioning when the accept/decline deadline for the offer is?

Minn_RN My letter states I was not accepted by the admissions committee, but placed on a list of alternates for the class starting in Fall, 2017. It does specifically mention the alternate list.

Hi everyone, Just got my letter. I was placed on the alternate list this year. Best of luck to everyone still waiting to hear!

I just got off the phone with MSA. I was fortunate to set up an interview for January! Best of of luck to everyone.

Hi, I applied this year as well. I recently emailed the school and they stated we should be hearing something by the end of December at the latest. I was placed on the alternate list last year, so I'm hoping this year I'll be fortunate enough to land a spot. Please let us know if you hear anything!

Hi everyone, Not to resurrect an old thread without any good information, so I figured I will share how my career path has developed since my initial post. One week after my initial post, I got in contact with the Director of Nursing at Abbott. I shared my enthusiasm and reasons for wanting to start my nursing career at Abbott as well as my qualifications. During my meeting, I was informed that there were roughly 800 new-grad applications in circulation within the hospital at a given time (2012). It was my initiative and persistent which allowed me to stand out. My application was recommended to the nursing managers at the hospital and within a week I was setting up multiple interviews within the hospital. I was fortunate to receive a job offer on the exact telemetry floor I wished to start my career and transferred to the Cardiovascular ICU after one year, where I have been practicing since. I'm in the process of pursuing my career goal to enter advanced practice nursing in the field of anesthesia (CRNA) and just interviewed this past week at the one program I wish to attend. The process of attaining my first position as a new graduate nurse taught me a valuable lesson in perseverance. I understand my experience is not exactly common and the job market has changed quite a bit since 2012. I just wanted to share my thoughts and encourage anyone in a similar situation to truly seek out their goals and exhaust every possible option before considering less desirable outcomes. Thank you.

I was also fortunate to be offered an interview next week. Best of luck!

Congrats! I'm sitting on the alternate list at the moment. May I ask the date of the reply deadline? Thanks!

I received a response today from one of the schools l applied to with respect to my application inquiry. My application was stated to not be competitive this year as the majority of my core science courses were taken at a community college where I earned my ADN. I'm in the process of taking a graduate level chemistry course which will hopefully help. Does anyone know if the majority of CRNA schools place a heavy merit on the type of institution your sciences were taken at? (Community college vs. University)? Thanks!

I received a response today from the school with respect to my application inquiry. My application was not competitive this year as the majority of my core science courses were taken at a community college where I earned my ADN. I'm in the process of taking a graduate level chemistry course which will hopefully help. Does anyone know if the majority of CRNA schools place a heavy merit on the type of institution your sciences were taken at? (Community college vs. University)?

I was interviewed at the school which I was wait-listed. One of the programs no longer conducts personal interviews and opts to use a goal statement. I'll admit that I'm limiting myself by only applying to local schools. This is largely based on my financial plan and family obligations. I also want to work at the metro hospitals in my area and rotating through these hospitals during clinicals is a significant advantage. All things considered, I will start to branch out based on how this next application cycle goes.

Hi everyone, I've been a member on the forum for a few years and have spent some time combing through the SRNA posts in the pursuit of making my CRNA school applications as strong as possible. To make a long story short, I applied to 3 local CRNA schools this past year and was turned down by 2 and wait-listed at 1. Not exactly what I had been hoping for. Essentially, I am looking for feedback on my current plan to bolster up my application and welcome suggestions. Here's an overview of the application I submitted this past cycle: Overall GPA 3.6, science GPA 3.6, RN-BSN GPA 3.86. CCRN/CMC/ACLS/PALS certifications GRE combined 305, 4.0 writing. 50 hours of shadowing experience ranging from Peds to open heart cases. At the time of application, 1 year 8 months medical CVICU experience at a large metro hospital (Magnet designation). Patient care modalities included vents, multiple vaso-active drips, Swans, IABPs, and induced hypothermia. After receiving feedback from the school directors, the following items are ways in which I have/plan to improve my application: I will be taking a graduate level chemistry course this summer through Barry University. At my facility, the medical and surgical CVICUs have been merged and I have become proficient in the care of recovering post-open heart, ECMO, and CRRT patients. I have joined the unit council and have become a preceptor. I also serve as the unit resource/code-blue RN (looking for ways to show leadership experience). At the time applications are due this Fall, I will have roughly 2 years, 8 months ICU experience (it seems my local programs like to see 2-3 years). I'm revising my considerations for recommendation letters, with the intention of submitting more personable recommendations. I welcome feedback with respect to my previous application and current plan to improve my resume. Please let me know if there are any details I left out or if clarification is needed. Thanks everyone!

Denied here as well. Did you guys happen to receive a letter or email? My application status simply states "denied". Thanks and best of luck to everyone!

I got my letter today and was placed on the alternate list. Does anyone have any idea how many people are placed as alternates? Best of luck to everyone still waiting to hear!

During my interview it was stated that we can expect to hear back late February, possibly early March. I'll be sure to let everyone know when I hear something. Best of luck!

I was fortunate to receive a call today and set up an interview for January. Best of luck to everyone!

Hi! I recently contacted MSA and they stated they are running a little bit behind this year. They said we should be receiving either a phone call or letter around mid-December. I'll let you know if I hear anything!

Hi Everyone, I am new to this site and the amount of information is astounding! I am looking to see if anyone can offer some advice/recommendations about my current situation. I graduated last May (2012) with a ADN and passed the NCLEX in June. I have been working at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis since October 2010 as a Dietary Aide. I have submitted my new grad application and have received recommendations to the hiring managers from the Nurse generalist in the HR department and employees who work on the units I am interested in. I have emailed the Nurse managers with my resume attached and they are indicating they do not have positions available for new graduates at this time. This hospital has saved my life twice as I have been a patient there and I would hate to leave the hospital to work elsewhere. I have debated dropping to a casual status and getting experience at a LTC/TCU however I want to exhaust my options at Abbott before doing so. Can anyone give me suggestions to really make myself stand out to the nurse managers? Thank you! -Jeff