Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) CRNA 2024 application

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Hey everyone,

This form is for all VCU CRNA 2024 applicants to discuss the upcoming CRNA cohort. Everyone introduce yourself and give a little background about your experience. Tell us what campus you are applying to and ask any questions about the application process. If you have applied previously, please share your experiences that you had during the application process.

Those who went through interview process and are current students do you have any tips for interviews / application? 

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WillResuscForCookies said:

I'm a current student and will check back periodically if people have questions. Cannot recommend the program enough. I had the option to go elsewhere, and am so grateful I chose VCU.

Wondering if you have any tips for interview process and application in general? This is for the upcoming 2025 cohort. 

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@registerednursejas hey! I'm happy to do what I can to help! First off, I would say definitely take your time on the essay portion; there seems to be a push towards writing skills, so if you can show them you're strong in that area, that will bode well! Also, I'm not sure what unit you work in, but if sub-certifications are an option, obtain as many as you can (not just the CCRN as that is required, but an example for cardiac ICU are the CSC and CMC). Volunteer hours are also important, as well as involvement in committees (unit-based, hospital-wide, state/national groups, etc). Lastly, I submitted a "personal statement" under one of the extra upload boxes on the NursingCAS webpage - not technically required or listed on the page, but I wanted more of a chance to say my "why" to the program. 
 

As far as the interview goes, I highly recommend the CRNA school prep academy website - they have mock interviews that I listened to and got some good ideas as to what works in an interview vs what does not. I also did a mock interview through TeachRN which was tremendously beneficial!! I am not going to give specifics as far as interview content, but I will say that VCU is known to have a heavy emotional intelligence interview style. Just don't forget (or neglect) to also study things like your ACLS protocols, hemodynamic values and medications as you would for any other interview. 

You've got this, best of luck! :-)

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@registerednursejas, they update/alter the application and interview process on an annual basis. So, no one can really tell you what type of questions will be asked. I'd just prepare for it like you would any other anesthesia program interview.

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Specializes in CVICU.

Hi, current applicant for the 2025 cycle here. This post is older, but hopefully, someone out there will see this! I'm looking to chat with current students or alumni about the program and what they've liked/disliked and overall experience. I'm on the west coast, so it's hard to find local CRNAs who have gone to VCU.  If anyone is there, please reply or feel free to DM. Thanks! 

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Specializes in Neuro ICU.
DabofDantrolene said:

Hi, current applicant for the 2025 cycle here. This post is older, but hopefully, someone out there will see this! I'm looking to chat with current students or alumni about the program and what they've liked/disliked and overall experience. I'm on the west coast, so it's hard to find local CRNAs who have gone to VCU.  If anyone is there, please reply or feel free to DM. Thanks! 

Hi there! I am currently a first-year student! I like how they let you work the first two semesters, as the courses are online. In addition, I like that my cohort is diverse. The school has a great support system.  I can't say much about clinicians since we haven't started yet. However, I heard great things including the simulation suite! I would recommend you to attend one of the open house events.

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Specializes in CVICU.
Lulata said:

Hi there! I am currently a first-year student! I like how they let you work the first two semesters, as the courses are online. In addition, I like that my cohort is diverse. The school has a great support system.  I can't say much about clinicians since we haven't started yet. However, I heard great things including the simulation suite! I would recommend you to attend one of the open house events.

It sounds like you're enjoying the program! I heard VCU underwent some leadership restructuring either last year or two years ago, and students felt it was somewhat disorganized leading them to struggle during didactics. It seems those kinks were resolved? 

I went to an information session in Feb, and it felt like a regurgitation of what was in the FAQ online plus an open floor for individual applicant questions. Hoping for any pearls on what differentiates the program (beyond the marketing) in your opinion. Thanks again! 

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DabofDantrolene said:

I heard VCU underwent some leadership restructuring either last year or two years ago, and students felt it was somewhat disorganized leading them to struggle during didactics. It seems those kinks were resolved?

I'm not sure what you heard, but there haven't been any leadership changes during the last 2-1/2 years. Our program director is retiring later this year, but we have six other full-time faculty (including our department chair) plus a handful of adjunct professors and a few full-time support staff. So, while she's lovely and will be missed, that wouldn't stop me from recommending the program.

An assistant professor was let go a few weeks into the Spring semester last year. Maybe that's what you heard about? The timing wasn't ideal, and I recall some students trying to make a mountain out of that mole hill, but I can't say that it objectively affected my didactic experience that much. He co-coordinated one of my classes, but other people took over his lectures and I thought that the transition was pretty seamless.

DabofDantrolene said:

Hoping for any pearls on what differentiates the program (beyond the marketing) in your opinion. Thanks again! 

Culture was really important to me. I got into other programs and chose VCU in large part because a trusted friend and former coworker had attended a few years before me. She spoke a lot about what a challenging yet supportive environment it was. Make no mistake about it... this is the hardest thing I've ever done, but everyone here wants you to make it to the finish line. It's not the kind of program that admits 50 people planning to graduate 35 of them. I feel like a person here, not a number.

I think the second best thing about the program is the diversity of clinical experiences that are available. We have almost 70 clinical sites including level I trauma centers, children's hospitals, community hospitals, military hospitals, CRNA-only practices, ambulatory surgery centers, and even office-based practices. There are ample opportunities for some of the harder to get clinical numbers like regional blocks, obstetrics, and pediatrics under age 2 years. That being said, speaking at least for the Richmond campus, they don't send you all over God's creation unless you ask for it. You can get everything you need to graduate and sit for the NCE within 30... maybe 45 minutes drive. Some people elect to travel further for additional experiences (above and beyond what's required) with regional or pediatrics, if that's their thing. Those sites generally have free housing.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to just PM me.

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Nursekaty19 said:

@registerednursejas hey! I'm happy to do what I can to help! First off, I would say definitely take your time on the essay portion; there seems to be a push towards writing skills, so if you can show them you're strong in that area, that will bode well! Also, I'm not sure what unit you work in, but if sub-certifications are an option, obtain as many as you can (not just the CCRN as that is required, but an example for cardiac ICU are the CSC and CMC). Volunteer hours are also important, as well as involvement in committees (unit-based, hospital-wide, state/national groups, etc). Lastly, I submitted a "personal statement" under one of the extra upload boxes on the NursingCAS webpage - not technically required or listed on the page, but I wanted more of a chance to say my "why" to the program. 
 

As far as the interview goes, I highly recommend the CRNA school prep academy website - they have mock interviews that I listened to and got some good ideas as to what works in an interview vs what does not. I also did a mock interview through TeachRN which was tremendously beneficial!! I am not going to give specifics as far as interview content, but I will say that VCU is known to have a heavy emotional intelligence interview style. Just don't forget (or neglect) to also study things like your ACLS protocols, hemodynamic values and medications as you would for any other interview. 

You've got this, best of luck! 🙂

Hello!  Wondered if you could share some insight re: the pre-recorded interview - how do they ask clinical questions? If it is pre-recorded, I assume they can't really ask pinpointed questions about my past Pt. experiences? If that is the case, then reviewing/studying general clinical info as you mentioned - ACLS, Heme values.... medications (this one seems like it could be a HUGE range...)... is the way to go?  Thanks in advanced!

 

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Specializes in Neuro ICU.
RNMARN said:

Hello!  Wondered if you could share some insight re: the pre-recorded interview - how do they ask clinical questions? If it is pre-recorded, I assume they can't really ask pinpointed questions about my past Pt. experiences? If that is the case, then reviewing/studying general clinical info as you mentioned - ACLS, Heme values.... medications (this one seems like it could be a HUGE range...)... is the way to go?  Thanks in advance 

Hey!

They know that people share this information, so they tend to ask different questions every year. Knowing your ACLS drugs as well as common ICU drugs in detail is fair game. They heavily emphasize emotional questions to assess if students fit into the program as well as the profession.

Good luck everyone! 

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WillResuscForCookies said:

I'm not sure what you heard, but there haven't been any leadership changes during the last 2-1/2 years. Our program director is retiring later this year, but we have six other full-time faculty (including our department chair) plus a handful of adjunct professors and a few full-time support staff. So, while she's lovely and will be missed, that wouldn't stop me from recommending the program.

An assistant professor was let go a few weeks into the Spring semester last year. Maybe that's what you heard about? The timing wasn't ideal, and I recall some students trying to make a mountain out of that mole hill, but I can't say that it objectively affected my didactic experience that much. He co-coordinated one of my classes, but other people took over his lectures and I thought that the transition was pretty seamless.

Culture was really important to me. I got into other programs and chose VCU in large part because a trusted friend and former coworker had attended a few years before me. She spoke a lot about what a challenging yet supportive environment it was. Make no mistake about it... this is the hardest thing I've ever done, but everyone here wants you to make it to the finish line. It's not the kind of program that admits 50 people planning to graduate 35 of them. I feel like a person here, not a number.

I think the second best thing about the program is the diversity of clinical experiences that are available. We have almost 70 clinical sites including level I trauma centers, children's hospitals, community hospitals, military hospitals, CRNA-only practices, ambulatory surgery centers, and even office-based practices. There are ample opportunities for some of the harder to get clinical numbers like regional blocks, obstetrics, and pediatrics under age 2 years. That being said, speaking at least for the Richmond campus, they don't send you all over God's creation unless you ask for it. You can get everything you need to graduate and sit for the NCE within 30... maybe 45 minutes drive. Some people elect to travel further for additional experiences (above and beyond what's required) with regional or pediatrics, if that's their thing. Those sites generally have free housing.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to just PM me.

Hello! I'd love to DM you, but I haven't made enough posts to yet. I'd love to get your perspective on the culture of clinical sites, as well as any information you may have about residency status (if that applied to you). Please let me know, thanks!

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