Sierra Gower, CRNA, MS

Sierra Gower, CRNA, MS
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Start Early
Do your homework
◦ AANA Website www.aana.com
◦ Review programs
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Contact the program at least1 year prior
Learn about the program before you meet
with the director or program specialist
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Program Statistics
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Length/Type of Program
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Type of education
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Simulation Experience
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Pass Rates
Attrition Rates
Average Class Size
Accreditation Status
◦ Masters or Doctorate
◦ Integrated or Front loaded
◦ Distance Learning
◦ Traditional Classroom
◦ Low Fidelity
◦ High Fidelity
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Clinical Preceptorship Model
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Number of Clinical Sites and Location
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Variation of Experiences
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Student Support
◦ 1:1 versus 2:1
◦ CRNA versus MD training
◦ Driving distance
◦ Costs related to Clinicals
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Regional (Spinals, Epidurals, Peripheral Nerve Blocks)
Invasive line experience
Advanced airway experience
Types of Cases and Patient Populations
◦ Grading system
◦ Tutoring
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Grade Point Average (GPA)
◦ Mandatory versus Recommended
◦ Last 60 credit hours
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Science Grade Point Average
If you have any Ds, Ws or Fs on a transcript
be prepared to address this in the interview
Graduate (GRE)
◦ STUDY!!!
◦ Quantitative versus Qualitative Section
◦ Writing aspect
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Sell Yourself But Be Honest & Concise
Education
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Experience
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Community Service/Leadership
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Publications/Presentations
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◦ Do not list GPA, only list Honors
◦ List type of ICU with a description of responsibilities
◦ Be sure to be complete (month and year)
◦ If any gaps in work history give and explanation
◦ Show you are involved in your community
◦ You may also list any research projects you may have been
involved with during your undergraduate program
Awards/Honors
Military Experience
Licensure/Certifications
Professional Organizations
Proof Read
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Mandatory 1 year acute care
Some programs require 2 years
Acute care is defined differently by programs be sure to
find out what is accepted
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Emergency Room
Operating Room
Post Anesthesia Recovery Room
Labor & Delivery
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Cardiovascular
Surgical
Neuro
Medical
Cardiac
Intensive Care is the Best Experience
Seek Employment in an Aggressive ICU
◦ Work daily with hemodynamic monitoring
◦ Evaluate Arterial Blood Gases daily
◦ Take the most Complex Cases
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Mandatory
◦ Basic Life Support
◦ Advanced Life Support
◦ Pediatric Life Support
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Highly Recommended
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CCRN
Any Additional Certifications Can Be
Beneficial
◦ Advanced Trauma Life Support
◦ Intra-aortic balloon pump
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School/College formatted Letters of
Reference
◦ Be sure to use the formatted version if the
institution has one
◦ Ask for a written letter in addition to the form
reference
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Who Should You Ask
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Academic
Supervisor
Anesthesia Provider
Colleague
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The purpose of the interview is to allow the program
faculty to meet you and learn about you. This is where you
can really sell yourself
It can also be your demise if you are unprepared
Dress Professionally
Be early or at least on time
Be Prepared & Confident
Think before you answer
Do not ramble
Make Good Eye Contact
In the clinical question if you do not know the answer
don’t try to fake it
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Why have you chosen nurse anesthesia?
What personal attributes will make you
successful in a nurse anesthesia program?
What will be your greatest challenge to
succeed in a program?
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Be prepared for ethical situational questions
Be prepared for clinical questions often
interpretation of blood gases or pulmonary
artery pressure
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Follow up with program to learn of areas
where your packet was weak
Ask for recommendations to improve your
packet
Heed the advice given to you
Reapply the next application period