I meant to write this sooner while things were still fresh on my mind but I've been fairly busy with life "stuff."
On 17 Jan 2014 I had my interview at the University of South Florida's CRNA program. I flew out a day before, got a rental car, drove around downtown and walked around a little bit, looking around like a good scout. Initial impressions of the downtown area were the follow: clean, fresh, quiet. When I got the CAMLS building is right in the downtown area about a 10 minute walk from where my hotel room was. It was built recently and is very modern.
The interview can be broken down into a few parts: initial introduction, interview with faculty, interview with students, a tour of the facility, and a CCRN style exam.
So how'd it go? Introduction was fine. I suited up, walked into the building, and introduced myself. I met one of the current students and another guy that was there for the interview. We made small chit chat and the student aid spoke highly of the school.
The faculty interview I feel went well. They asked basic questions; introduce myself, why I wanted to be a CRNA, leadership and employment history. We also discussed some fairly general physiology, anatomy, and pharmacology questions. There was also a scenario given on paper that was pretty straight forward, I think I talked myself through it fairly well. Most of the questions asked covered cardiology. Needless to say, there were some things I was unsure of and I let them know it but they didn't offer much feedback. Overall, I was told I was a strong candidate and I would be hearing back in a week or two.
The interview with the students was more like a question and answer session, more so on my side. They asked me a few questions, the same personality questions asked during the faculty interview. After that I had the opportunity to ask questions, the down and dirty of the CRNA program. There was limited time to talk to the other applicants, but between the little time I did get and the feel that I got from the current students, I felt a little more comfortable with my qualifications.
The CCRN test was typical. Some of the questions were worded funny, but like the actual CCRN test, if you take your time and think through it, you'll do fine. I think I did ok; most of the questions I answered easily and I know which questions I missed. This is usually typical of how I take tests.
The way they set up there interview was a little different from the interview I had at Midwestern University last year. I actually felt ok about this interview. I didn't leave with a bad feeling.
And of course, I wander around at night randomly. Here's a couple of night shots.
As beautiful as Tampa is and despite my love/hate relationship with it, there's really no place like Los Angeles.
