What went wrong????

mrigas · Feb 16, 2008

What certs do you have? How is your science background? What have you done over the past 9 years to show your leadership and clinical abilities? Maybe they felt you were overconfident at your interview?

....just a few thoughts....

suzanne4, RN · Feb 16, 2008

You are marketing yourself when you go to these interviews, not just what you show on a piece of paper, and when you are very nervous, it shows thru.

They also judge you on how well that they think that you will fit in with others that they are considering, as well as the staff that will be teaching you. Some come on too strong and the facility will back out right in the beginning.

If you did not get selected, suggest that you contact them to get input on what you could do to get selected next time. Have seen many do this and have it work for them. It also shows that you are truly interested in their program and willing to try harder to get accepted to it.

mmc-rockstar · Feb 16, 2008

I'm so sorry.....Since I don't know you I can't give too specific advice but here's what I have to offer.... First, if your nervousness is a problem in the interview (which really is for most) Try hard to think of answers ahead of time and really try to be prepared for anything/any type of questions. Also, having a little beta blockade on board can't hurt. Also, if you don't have your CCRN, get it (and use it in the interview). Be current on ICU issues/research..and anesthesia too (it can only impress). Next, definitely call the directors of the programs you interviewed at (or schedule an appt to meet in person). You have to get feedback to improve.

Also, look at your school selection and competition. I've been told personally by a director that her ideal candidate is someone right out of school with only a few years experience (yes, age and experience CAN hurt you). But that depends on the school, some really value good experience. Look at various programs, expecially if you know students there, and find out where you will be a good fit. Keep your head up, and don't give up. You have great experience and qualifications, I am sure you will succeed!!:redbeathe

gasmaster · Feb 17, 2008

I suggest that you call the programs that declined you and ask them for specifics. I bet they will be able to give you insight into what they viewed as your weaknesses, and then you can focus on improving in that area before round 2.

californianurse · Feb 17, 2008

HeartRN35, Did you make alternate at any of the schools? I agree with all of the above posters, especially with contacting each program and speaking with the directors. They will let you know why you weren't selected. Anyway, if you made alternate, it's not over yet...there's always a chance at getting in.

My boyfriend, an MD resident now, only got into one school--2 weeks before it began. He was wait-listed at only one school, but he got in. He majored at Berkeley with 3.98 in biochemistry, was eagle scout, triathlete, did a year of research, worked at a law firm; well rounded. I think his interviewing skills were what hurt him. Back then, he was overly concerned with being polite and how he would say things. I don't think that he let his true self shine through. This may or may not have been the same reason for your situation.

Best of luck to you my friend.

heartrn35 · Feb 24, 2008

What certs do you have? How is your science background? What have you done over the past 9 years to show your leadership and clinical abilities? Maybe they felt you were overconfident at your interview?
....just a few thoughts....

Over the past Nine years I have worked in five different CTICUs. In each that I was staff (I also did travel assignments), I was in charge after completion of orientation. In my current position I am responsible for orientation for new open heart nurses, I teach basic hemodynamics, pa lines, IABPs, etc. I am certified on a couple VADs, IABPs,...I'm not a CCRN, just never saw the need to do it...till now.

As far as science, I've taken all the necessary sciences (multiple chem's, physics, basic and advanced A&P, minor in psych) and have gotten A's on pretty much everything (except some of the psych).

I was quite nervous at the interveiw and this may have come across as overconfidence, but I never would have thought confidence would hurt me. I know what I know, but not so much that I am not open to learning something new.

Thank you for your input

heartrn35 · Feb 24, 2008

You are marketing yourself when you go to these interviews, not just what you show on a piece of paper, and when you are very nervous, it shows thru.
They also judge you on how well that they think that you will fit in with others that they are considering, as well as the staff that will be teaching you. Some come on too strong and the facility will back out right in the beginning.
If you did not get selected, suggest that you contact them to get input on what you could do to get selected next time. Have seen many do this and have it work for them. It also shows that you are truly interested in their program and willing to try harder to get accepted to it.

Suzanne

Thank you for your reply.

In retrospect I did not realilze that the interveiw held that much power, and I may have come in overly confident. I don't think that I was obnoxious but may not have had the best questions to ask them, and I gave breif answers to their questions (I was worried about talking myself in a circle).

I have contacted the schools I interveiwed at and asked for feedback, but have not gotten anything really solid in reply, but I will try again. I'm not good at being persistent but it looks like that is what I need to become.

No matter what I'm going to continue to persue this dream.

Thank you again.

Heartrn35

heartrn35 · Feb 24, 2008

HeartRN35, Did you make alternate at any of the schools? I agree with all of the above posters, especially with contacting each program and speaking with the directors. They will let you know why you weren't selected. Anyway, if you made alternate, it's not over yet...there's always a chance at getting in.
My boyfriend, an MD resident now, only got into one school--2 weeks before it began. He was wait-listed at only one school, but he got in. He majored at Berkeley with 3.98 in biochemistry, was eagle scout, triathlete, did a year of research, worked at a law firm; well rounded. I think his interviewing skills were what hurt him. Back then, he was overly concerned with being polite and how he would say things. I don't think that he let his true self shine through. This may or may not have been the same reason for your situation.
Best of luck to you my friend.

californianurse,

Thanks for your reply. I did make alternate at Pitt and hope to get in there but hoping doesn't get me anywhere. I'm planning on getting my CCRN, becoming a ACLS instructor, getting on my Code committee, and other like minded changes.

I'm not sure I will be able to make changes to my personality to WOW people during the interveiw, but I'm going to make my best attempt to makesure that I'm not suffering from mediocrity either.

Thanks again

heartrn35

llg, PhD, RN · Feb 25, 2008

You might want to ask the schools (or any future schools you might apply to) about their GRE scores. 1100 is not very high. I sat on an admissions committee (not specifically for a CRNA program, but for am MSN program) and that school had a minimum standard of 1000. I've heard of other schools that have a minimum of 1200. It might help your chances to take the test again after a little more preparation so that you can raise your score.

Good luck to you!

ICUDOUCME? · Feb 25, 2008

californianurse,
I'm not sure I will be able to make changes to my personality to WOW people during the interveiw, but I'm going to make my best attempt to makesure that I'm not suffering from mediocrity either.
Thanks again
heartrn35

I feel for you. My first interview experiences did not go well and it was because I didn't trust myself to let myself be me. Does that make sense? I thought I had to wow them or something. But after I was turned down by the first school and wait listed by the second, I did some heavy soul searching, talking out loud whenever I was alone about my motives etc, and trying to talk until I could stand the sound of my own voice (I never could stand to hear myself talk for some reason).

I worked on it until my next round of interviews and I made it in! I am not saying this is your problem but if you are baffled, which it sounds like you are, then maybe learning to live in your own skin and enjoy being yourself in any situation would help you in an interview. Also people like to be liked. Find something to like about them. This takes your mind off of you and onto what you can do for them. This will show on your face.

I was in on an interview commitee once and I was surprised by my own reactions to people in interviews. I really appreciated an open smile, a little attempt at humor, and a person who, while confident, had the air of wanting to learn. People who, when asked about a situation that they didn't know the answer to, said they didn't know but would look it up or ask for help in a given scenario, came across as honest and not too puffed up. Taking a little time to form an answer is ok too. Being able to admit a mistake and what you learned from it is huge!

Turn offs by the interviewees include looking down while talking, talking too soft, talking nonstop, leaning back in the chair, and low-cut blouses/non-professional dress among other things.

Another bit of advice I learned on this forum is that you don't have to do this. You have a life and are a good person, competent, etc without this experience of anesthesia school. (I know that secretly, you do have to do this but tell yourself it's ok to not make it in to this school this year). It helps to not put the pressure on yourself.

Just a few things I learned from others and from my own experience.

dfk, RN, CRNA · Feb 25, 2008

You might want to ask the schools (or any future schools you might apply to) about their GRE scores. 1100 is not very high. I sat on an admissions committee (not specifically for a CRNA program, but for am MSN program) and that school had a minimum standard of 1000. I've heard of other schools that have a minimum of 1200. It might help your chances to take the test again after a little more preparation so that you can raise your score.
Good luck to you!

gre is just part of the package. 1100 is not really bad at all. i got in with less than my school's minimum, but must've made up for it in other ways.