WCU CRNA Summer 2023

Bstafford0438 · May 5, 2022

Hi!

Definitely have their school under consideration. Super excited/anxious ?

AEller10, BSN, RN · May 13, 2022

@Bstafford0438 Awesome, I’m anxious and excited too! Have you started the process yet and applying this year?

corn1 · Jul 14, 2022

Hi all,

I'm a current SRNA at WCU. It's a great program (not easy, but none are). Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about the program!

AEller10, BSN, RN · Jul 14, 2022

That’s so awesome! I feel like I have so many questions and even more anxiety the closer I get to the deadline! LOL Right now I’m trying to hurdle over the GRE, my first score was terrible at a 292 so I’m retaking again soon. I’m worried that will knock me out. Of course I feel like if I get an interview my nerves will make it worse so I’m hoping to do a mock interview. Do you have any advice?! ?

corn1 · Jul 15, 2022

No advice on the GRE specifically, I know they look at it, but I don't think it plays a huge part of their decision.

I didn't do a mock interview, but it isn't a bad idea if you want to. I was on the fence about applying the year I did (considered postponing a year). I decided I'd put out an application and worse case if I didn't get accepted at least I'd be more knowledgeable about the process. So I went into the interview with low expectations, which helped. Several classmates who interviewed at multiple schools told me they thought WCU's interview process was more laid back than others they interviewed with. They did stump me with a couple questions, which wasn't unexpected. When that happened I didn't totally avoid the question, but I talked about what I would do and focused on what I knew regarding the scenario that was presented. I tried to be confident but not cocky, admit when I didn't know the exact answer but also did so in a way that highlighted what I did know surrounding the question/scenario.

I treated it like a scenario-based nursing interview. Practice and be ready to talk about a scenario or two. I don't remember exactly how they ask the questions but it's in the lines of "tell me about a time you _______" (insert "had to use critical judgment" "had a disagreement with a coworker or MD" "had a patient decompensate and how you reacted").

The professors are great at WCU and while they want to know that you're knowledgeable, they also want to see that you're eager to learn and can accept instruction.

I know that's all pretty broad info, but if you have more specific questions don't hesitate to reach out. Good luck!

AEller10, BSN, RN · Jul 17, 2022

@corn1 Thank you so much for that insight! I just took the GRE again today ? and now my score is up to a 302 so I don’t feel as bad about that aspect.
I am nervous about getting super anxious in the interview and letting that ruin it for me. I did my ABSN at WCU and it was such a great school and atmosphere. I’m gonna just prepare and know my kind of patients well along with the drips and try to calm myself if I get an interview.
I’m assuming the program is front loaded somewhat? How tough is it once you get into clinicals to be successful at that aspect as well as in the classroom? (I realize it’s no cakewalk)

corn1 · Jul 17, 2022

Congrats on upping your GRE!

The program is somewhat front-loaded. First (Summer) semester is a bunch of classes that are required for accreditation (EBP, stats, economics) and isn't anesthesia related. Then two semesters of classes to give you a basic framework for anesthesia. Clinicals start towards the end of the first Spring semester. At first it's just once per week and then over the coming semesters, the clinical aspect ramps up and the class load dwindles down.

It's definitely no cakewalk. It's stressful and you don't really have time to get everything done (especially the readings), but you prioritize your time and figure out how best to manage it. I will say that pretty much no one fails on account of grades. If you put in the work, you'll do fine. It's fairly rare for anyone to drop out, but when they do it's because of life circumstances (usually a big illness or something along those lines). The professors want you to succeed, and they're not trying to weed anyone out. Once you're in the program they want you to graduate, so that's really reassuring.

Everyone's a little different when it comes to clinicals and stress levels there. You start your clinicals at Mission, and many of the CRNAs there are WCU grads and they don't expect a ton from you starting off. I've honestly not been stressed at all with clinicals, you've always got a CRNA in the room with you and starting off all you really do is attempt to DL patients and maybe push induction drugs in fairly easy cases, then you grow into making more decisions over time.

Most CRNAs say they wouldn't go through school again, but they're glad they did it once. Talking to friends in other programs, I'm glad I ended up at WCU though. It's a great program, your professors know you well and you're set up to succeed. The first semesters are pretty easy too, so it's not 3 straight years of stress, the second year is generally considered the hardest, and by the last year you're just in clinical 4x/week and working on your project.

AEller10, BSN, RN · Jul 18, 2022

@corn1 Oh wow thank you so much for all that info! That makes me feel a little better, although I know it is still going to be difficult trying to figure out the best way to study. I just hope I can get an interview and that they like me and that we would be a good fit!

AEller10, BSN, RN · Jul 19, 2022

@corn1 I want to try to stand out and be an applicant they would like to have in the program, do you have any insider advice? I feel like I am humble and teachable which goes a long way. I guess I am curious as to what they are looking for since it seems that applicants stats vary. Also, how much longer do you have?! That’s got to be exciting to be halfway or more to your dream?!

loveanesthesia · Jul 19, 2022

They did stump me with a couplequestions, which wasn't unexpected. When that happened I didn't totallyavoid the question, but I talked aboutwhat I would do and focused on what I knew regarding the scenario that waspresented. I tried to be confident but notcocky, admit when I didn't know the exact answer but also did so in a way that highlighted what I did know surrounding the question/scenario.

corn1 This is really good advice for any interview at any program!

corn1 · Jul 20, 2022

20 hours ago, AEller10 said:

@corn1 I want to try to stand out and be an applicant they would like to have in the program, do you have any insider advice? I feel like I am humble and teachable which goes a long way. I guess I am curious as to what they are looking for since it seems that applicants stats vary.

I don't want to say exactly what they questioned you on (and it probably varies year to year). I will say that some of it is geared towards your experience - they want to know how well you know your job. So if you work in a CV ICU, they're not gonna be throwing a bunch of neuro questions at you. There will be some general knowledge questions though, CCRN type stuff.

I don't have any really specific advice as to what they're looking for. It'll be 4 professors and a student, each one is probably looking for something slightly different, and each one has some input into the total score/grading they do for each candidate. "Be yourself" is kinda tacky advice but it's the best I can say. Try to paint yourself in a positive light while not boasting/coming off as stuck up is good advice for any interview.