CamillusRN

1.What is your educational background, position or role? I'm an open-heart ICU and OR nurse applying to CRNA programs. I first obtained an ADN degree and bridged to my BSN. 2. Why did you decide to go into this nursing specialty? I'm passionate about taking my nursing role to the absolute height of its potential, and a doctorate is the terminal degree for nurses. I also want to practice at the top of my scope of practice, and CRNAs are able to provide independent anesthesia care in any setting, at least in my state, depending on the facility's policy. 3. What is the best and worst thing about your job? Best: autonomy. Ability to apply my critical thinking to achieve positive outcomes. worst: dealing with difficult personalities that I can't sedate (I.e. rude surgeons and staff) 4. What advice do you have in pursuing this specialty in nursing? Get connected with a mentor early. Get involved with the AACN and join the AANA as soon as possible when you identify CRNA as your goal. The AANA is launching a membership option for RNs in September of 2024! 5. How do you as a nurse collaborate with other health care providers? there is no such thing as too much information when you're advocating for your patient. Make sure the other providers have the data they need to see where you and the patient are coming from. 6. What advice do you have for future nursing student? nursing is a complex profession that demands much from those who choose it. Surrounding yourself with mentors and role models ensures you master your craft with the help of people who can guide you to your goals.

CSPA is an amazing resource! Strongly encourage you to find their podcast at the very least, but look into their paid memberships as well if you need any support getting your application / interview prep sorted. **I'm not affiliated with CSPA in any way, other than a podcast listener**

The purpose of a flush is primarily to make sure medication is fully administered and doesn't sit in the line and become a source of infection, embolus, or form precipitate in the presence of another IV med. Since the IV was removed immediately after the infusion, the only effect was that the patient didn't have every single drop of antibiotic administered. If your clinic gives it as a push dose, there was probably 3ml (30mg) of the dose that wasn't given. If it was an infusion of 100ml, 3mg wasn't given. While it's probably innocuous, it's worth keeping in mind that antibiotic resistance can occur if that happens regularly over many many infusions and plasma concentration doesn't reach therapeutic thresholds. Just once is hardly enough to cause that.

I haven't heard anything yet ?‍♂️

Newman's admin assistant has been my point of contact so far.

Unfortunately I'm not surprised based on what I gather from the Newman alumni I work with. I'm not holding my breath for a review to be honest due to the program's current challenges.

I got a no-interview email and requested an application review. My CRNA mentors were surprised as I was that I didn't get an opportunity to interview as they had helped guide my progress and thoroughly critiqued the various components of my application (statement, resume, transcripts, mock interviews). Whether I am granted the review or not remains to be seen!

Congratulations! Congratulations!!

The situation at Newman has grown increasingly complicated - lots of moving pieces. Can't get into the details but don't give up quite yet!

Me too - it's all about moving on and bouncing back! Did you apply to other programs?

Pursuing a career as a CRNA is no easy road. Sometimes the answer isn't what you hoped for. Bouncing back and fighting for your goal even harder the next time can only prove your determination and grit, and that experience can be used to make you an even stronger student than you would have been otherwise. Best of luck to all of you!

One of the blessings of working with an anesthesiology group for the past couple of years is watching the passion many CRNAs and physician anesthesiologists have for mentoring future anesthesia professionals. What impact have mentors had on your passion for anesthesia? How do/will you approach mentoring others? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246?I=1000633451280

In your interview you may be asked what being a CRNA means to you. If you shadowed a CRNA or know a CRNA, you have a fairly good idea about what a CRNA does within the operating room. What about outside the operating room? The CRNA profession is full of people who take leadership and advocacy to the next level outside the OR, not just for patients but for the profession and the good of their communities. So, what does being a CRNA mean to you? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246?I=1000629472391

I'm not 100% sure. Here's their "meet the faculty" page - I don't see any past academic positions listed ?‍♂️ https://news.newmanu.edu/dnap-faculty/

I think two or three weeks ago. It was an "effective immediately" kind of situation. BrittG probably has more insight into that situation. Lots of compounding factors at play both within and outside NewmanU are also influencing the delay. We'll see what happens as the dust settles but currently there's a big question mark for a lot of us.

They are still processing applications; their assistant director leaving left them very short handed. Don't give up hope yet!

Great now I'm getting a rush of catecholamines whenever my phone rings in addition to checking my email haha

Part of the EI portion of the interview may be on how you feel when you perform mental calisthenics before, during, and after a high stakes/high stress situation. Below is a link to a self-test from The Emergency Mind Project to provide a structure for understanding yourself in terms of preparation, performance, and recovery. My test demonstrated I need to focus on better recovery (ie, leaving the stress at the door of the hospital on my way home so I can bring my game face 100% to the next shift). What are your results, and what strategies will you use to improve your mindset to achieve more effective recovery, better high-stakes performance, and/or more effective preparation for optimizing your potential? https://www.emergencymind.com/

Part of the EI portion of the interview may include recalling a failure and how you responded to it. Below is a podcast from the Sound Physicians critical care group on "Failing Well.” What is the difference between a failure and an error? What is a failure you are proud of (was formative to taking you to a higher level of practice) vs a failure you are ashamed of? How can you learn by critically evaluating a failure? How is a "hero mentality" (ie, failure is not an option) potentially harmful? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/critical-matters/id1335759655?I=1000632665636

One of my mentors who is a Newman CRNA alum told me if you know the med down to the receptor level they probably will ask about cellular conformation change to keep going down that road. You're not expected to know it, but be prepared for the possibility. He said it's more about how you handle not knowing the answer to these advanced questions as opposed to having the knowledge. He got a huge eye roll from one of the interviewers when he couldn't go as in depth as the interviewer asked. He suspects it was to push his buttons to trigger a reaction so be prepared for that as well!

If you guys are willing to make the investment Picmonic has an advanced practice provider learning platform that goes deep into Gi/Gq/Gs receptor subunits and breaks receptor action down pretty well. Lots of practice quizzes too - suits the interleaving and active retrieval models of "Make it Stick" - great book for evidence based learning by the way

Nervous is good - the CRNA I was talking about told me if I feel the interview went well it's not a good sign. The goal is to not only to assess how much I know, but to also show me the massive amount I don't. See where I am on the Dunning-Kruger curve and how much capacity for growth there is. Mindset is crucial - knowing you're going into a losing battle gives you the choice of either giving everything and leaving it all on the court, or surrendering with apathy. Be prepared to get your *ss handed to you and you won't be disappointed

Planning on the longest 30 minutes of my life LOL! I know one of the CRNAs on the panel is hardcore cardiac clinical so if that's your wheelhouse brush up haha! He's super intimidating at first but he's one h*ll of a clinical instructor. He respects honest effort but he'll have you for lunch if you try to bullsh*t an answer!

Precepting and teaching students every chance I get and following the critical care literature on podcasts. Keeps my edge fresh if I'm consciously making sure I'm understanding what I'm teaching about drips and pathologies. Especially when I tell my capstone student and orientees to approach meds from what receptors they hit and how pH and temp affect pharmacokinetics. Every time I get a student is an opportunity to practice my interview!

Last years class was virtual when I was talking to BritG about her interview at work - not sure what this year will bring