Stamp out pre-interview stress by being prepared.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are at the forefront of medical training and technology. The schools offering CRNA programs are highly competitive, and to narrow down the large number of qualified applicants, they arrange for in-person interviews with their top selections. These interviews can be quite stressful. Take a moment to congratulate yourself for being offered an interview. It's a major accomplishment, and it means you're one step closer to achieving your goal. There's no guarantee that you'll be ready for every question your interviewers throw your way, but careful preparation can increase your chances of impressing the admissions committee and securing your place in the program.
Answer the Commonplace Questions
The commonplace questions come straight out of the interview textbook, and tend to take up more than half of the allotted interview time. Consider these questions your softballs. You have every opportunity to knock them out of the park. Sit down and write out the answers to these questions: Why do you want to be a CNRA? Can you explain what the daily routine of a CNRA is like? How are you prepared to finance your education? Is your family/spouse supportive of your educational goals? What makes you sure that our program is the right one for you?
Prepare for the Technical Questions
It doesn't hurt to review your nursing school materials.
Anesthesiology is a very advanced and precise area of study. You can be sure the admissions committee is interested in gauging your experience level and your subject knowledge. If you've worked in an ICU or ER, you will have the experience and know the answers. Your resume, grades, experience and skills have brought you to the interview. Let your confidence in your matter-of-expertise guide you through any technical questions. The interviewers will also give you at least one question that you will not be able to answer correctly. A confident person can admit their ignorance in this instance and highlight it as an opportunity to learn.
Prepare to be Unprepared
You don't always have to know the answer.
When that dreaded moment arrives and you don't know the answer to a question your CRNA interviewer has asked, don't be surprised. Instead, be prepared. Before your interview, sit down and write out how you will respond to a complicated question about vasoactive drips or cardiogenic shock that leaves you stumped. You don't want to stammer and stare at the floor before you mutter, "I don't know." Tell the interviewer what an interesting question it was but that you don't know the answer. Often, the question that stumps you is intended to, and the committee is truly interested in seeing if you respond with character and honesty or with deception.
Prepare your Questions for the School
Create a checklist of questions for each school you apply to.
It's easy to forget that an interview goes both ways. Research the school. What's especially appealing about their CRNA program? Why is that school a good fit for you? Showing up to the interview with no questions about the school can give the admissions committee the indication that you're not very interested. This is your chance to highlight your efforts in finding a program that's a good match. It's also the ideal opportunity to convince the committee that you're not seeking acceptance to just any CRNA program; you're seeking entrance to their program. Showcase your knowledge of the school's specialties by asking thoughtful questions.
Set up Mock Interviews
Arrive to your interview confident.
Sit down with someone you're comfortable with, and have a mock interview. It sounds silly, and you'll likely feel a little silly going through it, but that's the point. It's helpful if your interviewer is familiar with CRNA programs. Get through the interview feeling awkward, and then ask another friend to interview you. Practice answering the commonplace questions and a random assortment of technical questions that you'll find in your nursing textbooks and asking the interviewer questions about the program. Keep doing this until you no longer feel embarrassed and the interview process is ingrained in your head. Preparation and practice are the essential keys to a successful interview.
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