r/srna • u/Ambitious_Ganache377 • 8d ago

Applicant Questions Exam before interview?

I recently applied to a school where a critical care exam is part of the admissions process, particularly before the interview. The school says it’s to assess foundations of critical care and clinical decision making skills. Has anyone else gone through this, and if so, how did you study?? I’ve started with the CCRN but it just feels so broad. The exam is allocated for an hour.

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u/Shuddup_YouCan Nurse Anesthesia Resident (NAR) 8d ago

I just reviewed Barron's. It really was just CCRN type material. It shouldn't be too difficult if you're a seasoned nurse.

6

u/ArgumentUnusual487 CRNA 8d ago

All 5 interviews I went to had some type of exam. Pretty standard. Review CCRN/ACLS info and that should cover like 75%. The rest is some combination of your life story, ICU knowledge, DNP/Project ideas, issues in anesthesia/CRNA field.

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u/Middle-Instruction36 3d ago

So they interview you knowledge based questions in addition to giving you the exam beforehand?

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u/ArgumentUnusual487 CRNA 2d ago

Sometimes yes

Some of my interviews were just casual/personality stuff and seeing if I was a good fit.

In another interview, I did the exam first, interview with the faculty, and then a full simulation of a sick patient.

There are websites out there that claim to tell you what to expect for each school's interview - don't believe them, at least not fully. Faculty are aware these exist and may change interview questions for each group.

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u/gnomicaoristredux CRNA 8d ago

CCRN is the right move, the 2 interviews I had both had a similar test prior to the interview

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u/EntireTruth4641 CRNA 8d ago

Be sure to know swanz parameters and cardiac. The CCRN exam is usually 30-40%ish cardiac.

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u/rachaelang 8d ago

I had one of these for one of my interviews. They grade them, but only really use them as a tiebreaker. Not sure how much credence other programs put on them. It was CCRN/ACLS questions with a couple of OB/peds sprinkled in. I was fresh off of taking the CMC, so I didn't study at all for it.

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u/Upbeat_Function_3852 8d ago

1/5 schools I interviewed had this and I can tell you what not to do is schedule your interview for 730am bc that means you’re taking a CCRN like exam at 7am and it’s a brutal feeling knowing you just bombed the exam bc your were too tired to think

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u/Rodeo-Cowboy Nurse Anesthesia Resident (NAR) 8d ago

CCRN question bank