Western PA schools interviews

panurse10 · Oct 27, 2004

I just got an interview at Allegheny Valley school of anesthesia and was curious if anyone could give me some insight on their interview process. Do they ask a lot of clinical questions? What should I study for the interview? I would be very thankful. I also applied to the U of Pitt and Westmoreland anesthesia schools. Any help with their interviews would also be appreciated.

SleepyRN2B · Oct 28, 2004

Hi,

I also applied to U of Pitt... any idea when their letters go out???

SleepyRN2B · Oct 28, 2004

Hi,

I also applied to U of Pitt... any idea when their letters go out???

royalkeister · Oct 28, 2004

Hi,
I also applied to U of Pitt... any idea when their letters go out???

I recieved a letter for an interview from Pitt about a week and a half ago. My interview is Nov. 5. From what I understand they present a power point presentation about the program, you tour the facility, and then you interview with several faculty and a student for 15 min each. I also have an interview at Allegheny Valley Nov. 8. I'm not sure what to expect there. I did not apply to Westmoreland, but I have two friends who just had interviews about a week ago and said the whole process was very friendly and laid back- more of a "get to know you" session with occasional clinical questions.

royalkeister · Oct 28, 2004

Hi,
I also applied to U of Pitt... any idea when their letters go out???

I recieved a letter for an interview from Pitt about a week and a half ago. My interview is Nov. 5. From what I understand they present a power point presentation about the program, you tour the facility, and then you interview with several faculty and a student for 15 min each. I also have an interview at Allegheny Valley Nov. 8. I'm not sure what to expect there. I did not apply to Westmoreland, but I have two friends who just had interviews about a week ago and said the whole process was very friendly and laid back- more of a "get to know you" session with occasional clinical questions.

krinklesRN · Oct 28, 2004

Hi,
I also applied to U of Pitt... any idea when their letters go out???

yeah... i got the same letter from U of Pitt, too! there interview process does seem rather daunting!!

krinklesRN

krinklesRN · Oct 28, 2004

Hi,
I also applied to U of Pitt... any idea when their letters go out???

yeah... i got the same letter from U of Pitt, too! there interview process does seem rather daunting!!

krinklesRN

Pete495 · Oct 28, 2004

This is a post I made in a similar thread about my experience with westoreland/latrobe anesthesia school, where I internviewed at. You can also do a search and find out info also.

Laroche/Westmoreland CRNA school

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yes, Howard is still the director. I inteviewed there last year, but decided to go to a different school closer to where I live, and more conducive to my learning environment. I was looking at class pictures from the previous years when I noticed many of the students they accepted seemed older. I just felt I should enter a class that also has students more of my own age who I could relate to better.

As for the interview process, they asked me clinical questions pertaining to my field. I work as a cardiovascular surgical nurse. They specifically asked me about cardiac output/index, hemodynamics, etc. They wanted to know what a maximum dose of dopamine was, which too me is a bogus question, because it depends on who uses it and in what situation. I guessed at the answer. I figured it was 20mcgs/kg, but I've never used dopamine that high EVER. I said if you need dopamine that high, you may want to consider another vasoconstrictor. You can get a better effect with a lot less fluid. I don't think they liked my interjection.

Also, Laroche/Westmoreland seem to concentrate on the fact that I didn't specifically teach anything, like ACLS or any other courses. I admitted that teaching wasn't my concentration, and maybe that was a stupid thing to admit, but I don't know any nurse anesthetist who goes into it specifically wanting to teach it. Well, this perturbed me of course, and I think I was visibly irritated during the interview now that i look back on it. I offerred my role as staffer and preceptor at work, and volunteer experience teaching BLS as roles for instructing. The lady gave me a lecture about how passing on information to other students and other nurses is of critical importance. I thought she would have recognized I realized this when I told her I was a preceptor. The feeling I got during the interview however was that it was not enough for them.

The interview was not a disaster, but it wasn't a great interview, put it that way. I didn't like them, and they didn't like me, so it worked out for the best. I just figured I'd let you know my situation. From what I understand they have a good school with a lot of personal attention given to the students (the lady I interviewed with professed it too me like it was bible speak). This is why I selected the school to interview at, but I did not appreciate her excessive pride even though it is probably well deserved. She made it seem like there wasn't another school as good as LaRoche. Anyway, you get the picture. I'm sure it was possible that it was just my interview. I would definitely recommend interviewing there. They seem to be a good school, and from what I hear, Howard is an excellent teacher. He only came in at the end of the interview, so I didn't get to chat with him much, but from what I gathered, he was real down to earth. I did interview with 3 people, a recent graduate, a student, and this damn lady who asked me all her dumb *** questions, but I can't remember what her name was.

OK, hope I didn't discourage you. I honestly do think it is a good school, and it is possible that my interview just wasn't the best. If you have any questions, let me know.

__________________

David

Pete495 · Oct 28, 2004

This is a post I made in a similar thread about my experience with westoreland/latrobe anesthesia school, where I internviewed at. You can also do a search and find out info also.

Laroche/Westmoreland CRNA school

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yes, Howard is still the director. I inteviewed there last year, but decided to go to a different school closer to where I live, and more conducive to my learning environment. I was looking at class pictures from the previous years when I noticed many of the students they accepted seemed older. I just felt I should enter a class that also has students more of my own age who I could relate to better.

As for the interview process, they asked me clinical questions pertaining to my field. I work as a cardiovascular surgical nurse. They specifically asked me about cardiac output/index, hemodynamics, etc. They wanted to know what a maximum dose of dopamine was, which too me is a bogus question, because it depends on who uses it and in what situation. I guessed at the answer. I figured it was 20mcgs/kg, but I've never used dopamine that high EVER. I said if you need dopamine that high, you may want to consider another vasoconstrictor. You can get a better effect with a lot less fluid. I don't think they liked my interjection.

Also, Laroche/Westmoreland seem to concentrate on the fact that I didn't specifically teach anything, like ACLS or any other courses. I admitted that teaching wasn't my concentration, and maybe that was a stupid thing to admit, but I don't know any nurse anesthetist who goes into it specifically wanting to teach it. Well, this perturbed me of course, and I think I was visibly irritated during the interview now that i look back on it. I offerred my role as staffer and preceptor at work, and volunteer experience teaching BLS as roles for instructing. The lady gave me a lecture about how passing on information to other students and other nurses is of critical importance. I thought she would have recognized I realized this when I told her I was a preceptor. The feeling I got during the interview however was that it was not enough for them.

The interview was not a disaster, but it wasn't a great interview, put it that way. I didn't like them, and they didn't like me, so it worked out for the best. I just figured I'd let you know my situation. From what I understand they have a good school with a lot of personal attention given to the students (the lady I interviewed with professed it too me like it was bible speak). This is why I selected the school to interview at, but I did not appreciate her excessive pride even though it is probably well deserved. She made it seem like there wasn't another school as good as LaRoche. Anyway, you get the picture. I'm sure it was possible that it was just my interview. I would definitely recommend interviewing there. They seem to be a good school, and from what I hear, Howard is an excellent teacher. He only came in at the end of the interview, so I didn't get to chat with him much, but from what I gathered, he was real down to earth. I did interview with 3 people, a recent graduate, a student, and this damn lady who asked me all her dumb *** questions, but I can't remember what her name was.

OK, hope I didn't discourage you. I honestly do think it is a good school, and it is possible that my interview just wasn't the best. If you have any questions, let me know.

__________________

David

stushrn · Nov 2, 2004

Allegheny Valley's interview is brutal. Two women direct the interviews, and they are extremely intelligent... alot of clinical questions. Know all 4 shocks, beta 1, beta 2, be able to draw a pa wave form, an a line wave form (know what is happening at each notch)... know about nitroprusside... i think they are more interested in whether or not you buckle under pressure... so, keep your head straight and try to relax (when you really want to flip out!!!) I go to Westmoreland-Latrobe (just started). Good luck on your interview.

air · Nov 2, 2004

I just got an interview at Allegheny Valley school of anesthesia and was curious if anyone could give me some insight on their interview process. Do they ask a lot of clinical questions? What should I study for the interview? I would be very thankful. I also applied to the U of Pitt and Westmoreland anesthesia schools. Any help with their interviews would also be appreciated.

The Allegheny, they usually start the interview at early.The assistant director will give you as much information as you can about the program, clinical sites,pass rates, expectations. Senior and junior students will be made available to you for questioning. Every applicant will be in the same room. Then the show starts, one candidate will be asked to meet with the director or assistant for a 1:1. Just know your ACLS drugs, they will ask you questions in relations to your background. The director has some advanced degree in pharmacology so she will grind you on that. She would not ask you any suitability questions (support systems, program desire) then you will be asked to wait again, later you will be the assistant director, she will go over wave forms with you, Swanz, aline,ETC. She will ask you about support systems.

The do some classes at La Roche. I think some two or three other programs use La Roche college also.Please, do not be late. They will have somebody meet with you at the lobby of the hospital, this person is usually the secretary, she will then lead you guys to the interview area.

Like PANURSE10 said. It is designed to push you until the find your weakness, and how well you handle it. They also want to make sure that you have the type of critical care experience they are looking for, they had a situation once in that area, so you can understand they would not like a repeat. They will be upfront with you about it.

I interviewed there, was accepted but went somewhere else. Good Luck.