How do I prepare for my interview?

Admission to anesthesia school is highly competitive. If you have reached the interview phase, you have passed a major hurdle, but you are not at your goal yet. Most schools will interview something like two to three applicants for each available seat. You will want to avoid giving the selection committee a solid reason to choose someone else over you.

-BE ON TIME! If you are late, even if the committee waits for you, you have given yourself a black mark that may be impossible to overcome.
-Wear conservative business attire, such as a suit or conservative dress, to your interview.
-Insofar as possible, be relaxed during your interview. The committee will expect nervousness, but if it makes you incoherent, that’s a pretty good sign you don’t handle stress well.

It is impossible to predict what kinds of questions the application committee will ask, but be prepared for certain “stock” questions:

-Why do you want to be a CRNA?
-What do you know about what a CRNA does?
-What have you done to ensure you really want to do anesthesia?
-What steps have you taken to prepare to get through school (generally, though not always, a financial question)?
-Also, most interviews include a question or two on vasoactive drips (i.e. dopamine, nitroglycerine versus nitroprusside), or some other aspect of nursing you should have learned working in an ICU.

Be prepared for questions to which you don’t know the answer. Most interviews will try to find such questions, to discover how you handle that situation. When these questions arise, don’t waffle or try to “BS” your way through. Stay composed, and admit you do not know the answer.

One other note: Every school has its criteria in looking for students. It cannot hurt you to contact the directors of the programs you are considering and asking them what you can do to make yourself a more attractive student. Admission to CRNA programs is very competitive. Give yourself every advantage.