Texas Wesleyan

When I interviewed there- it was all clinical questions. They asked a couple obligatory personal questions but that was it. IMO, they don't really care about you as a person they just want to know what you know clinically. Definitely know your ABG, pressors, Swan #'s, Vent settings. Same things that everybody else has said in previous threads.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the help. When did you interview there

I interviewed there in Jan of this year. It was a panel of three that asked you questions. They asked me a couple of personal questions and then went right into the clinical questions. The whole thing lasted about a 20 min- 1/2 hr. Before you interview you watch a cheesy dvd. I interviewed two different times(one for an offsite and in Ft Worth). It was the same in both places. Just be sure to know vents and ABG's (real big). Know about Peep, PAP, and that kind of stuff.

I interviewed at 4 different schools and I thought they were the least impressive. I did get accepted w/ the clinical placement in CA but I decided to wait and go someplace else. I've heard though that their CRNA's are very good in clinicals and they do know their stuff.

Good luck- you'll do fine.

Thanks for the info. Did they ask you many cardiac questions? Where did you go to school? Thanks

I remember more pulmonary questions. There were a few cardiac- mainly related to pressors and swans.

I also had a lot of neuro questions at the satellite interview and with a different school. Def know your cardiac and pulmonary. I know with TWU the CCRN goes a LONG way with them.

I went to Texas. I don't know if that helped me any but I did have over 5 yrs of level 1 trauma experience in a SICU.

Hook em

COtraumaRN

What type of neuro questions were asked? How in depth were the questions? Any help is appreciated.

I interviewed last winter and they asked the usual stuff like gtts, swans, and ABG's. They threw me for a loop when they asked me about high risk OB though. They saw I work there in the past and wanted to see what I remembered. So brush up on other stuff if you have work anywhere other than ICU.

The type of neuro questions were pretty basic if you have experience w/ Neuro- They asked what you as a bedside nurse can do for high icp, assessing for a change in ICP,what kind of drugs inc pressors, labs to look at, etc. Like one of the other people said- there is nothing off limits. Also, they will sometimes ask you a question that has you shaking your head wondering if they just asked that question. i.e. They'll be asking you all this clinical stuff and in the middle of it, they'll throw you for a loop like asking what 125 divided by 25 is. Weird stuff.

thanks for the info. any insight is appreciated.

I am a proud graduate of TWU. All of the people there are really excellent. I remember my interview as being the standard interview questions. I know that what they really want to see is that you can reason your way through a question to find the right answer. They are not looking to see that you know all the formulas, equations, facts about this and that. It is how you find your way to the correct answer and to know when to stop if you are not certain. The interviewers will help guide you if you get stuck so that you can find that right answer and reason your way through it. They look for your extra-career involvement -- ACLS instructor, education that is health-related but outside of the ICU, Conscious Sedation Committee, etc. Most of our learning comes after we graduate from our BSN. The BSN is only the basics that guide you to the rest of nursing and what it can offer you. It is good to get the questions answered correctly. But they look at you from all sides. As for the CCRN Exam -- I never took the exam. They do use this as a tool to compare the applicants. I have heard that it is a good predictor or success in CRNA programs. Remember to be flexible with your clinical sites. That will also help you to get in. They do try to accommodate your requests for clinical sites and I have a friend that was #1 on the alternate list but did not get in when a spot opened up for him, because he was not flexible with his appointment. The instructors and support staff at TWU are a really devoted group and want for you to succeed. I learned so much there and I am still learning tons after being out for a while now. I love what I do and I could not have imagined doing anything else. Good luck to you!!

Coagulations on your graduation form CRNA School. Just out of curiosity where are the clinical sites? How many students do they accept? Since you are finished with the program have you had any problems finding a job?

I am a proud graduate of TWU!!

I graduated a year ago. What a relief!! TWU has numerous clinical sites from North Dakota, Colorado, California, Ohio. Check out the application for TWU. All of the current clinical sites will be on the application pages. There were about 30 primary sites and many other secondary sites (i.e., for peds, cardiac, OB if for some reason the primary site could not offer it to the students).

They accepted 130 students when I started in 2004 (10 were repeaters). I think that the class size has gotten smaller since my class. It was a little large. Because for one reason or another, people may drop out, clinical sites will open up. If you want to switch clinical sites, there is a slim chance that you can get the more preferred site when one opens from someone leaving.

I have a job in one of the premier places in the country to live. I had an incredible clinical experience which opened up many doors. Unfortunately, because I live in such a wonderful place, I had to sacrifice the loan forgiveness that many of my classmates got when they signed on at their hospitals/groups. But I have no complaints.

Good Luck to you!! Work hard and you will be very successful!