So you’ve been invited to interview at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing for their Nurse Anesthesia program? Congratulations! This is a fantastic accomplishment and you should be extremely proud. The interview process at VCU is known to be very competitive, so you’ll want to make sure you’re fully prepared for the questions you’ll be asked.

In this article, we’ll give you a rundown of the five most common questions asked in a VCU CRNA interview so that you can go into your interview with confidence.

1. Why do you want to be a nurse anesthetist?

This is perhaps the most common question asked in any nurse anesthesia interview, and for good reason. Your answer to this question will give the interviewers a sense of your motivations for pursuing this career and whether or not you have a genuine interest in the field.

Be sure to do your research on what a nurse anesthetist does before you attempt to answer this question. A great answer will touch on the various aspects of the job that interest you, such as the challenges of managing anesthesia for surgeries or the satisfaction of helping patients through a difficult experience.

2. Why did you choose VCU for your nurse anesthesia education?

Again, interviewers want to see that you’ve done your research on the program and that you have a genuine interest in attending VCU. Your answer to this question should highlight what you like about the VCU program specifically, such as its strong clinical training or its experienced faculty.

3. What do you think are the most important qualities for a successful nurse anesthetist?

This question is designed to gauge your self-awareness and your ability to reflect on your own skills. qualities that are important for a successful nurse anesthetist include strong clinical skills, excellent communication abilities, and the ability to stay calm under pressure.

Be sure to back up your answer with specific examples from your own experience that illustrate why you possess these qualities.

4. What do you think are the biggest challenges facing nurse anesthetists today?

This question is designed to test your knowledge of the current landscape of nurse anesthesia. Some possible challenges you could mention include the increasing complexity of surgeries, the shortage of qualified anesthetists, and the need for better pain management options.

5. What are your long-term career goals as a nurse anesthetist?

This question allows the interviewers to get a sense of your plans for the future and how committed you are to the field of nurse anesthesia. Possible answers you could give include working in a particular surgical specialty, becoming involved in research, or teaching future generations of nurse anesthetists.

By preparing thoughtful and well-reasoned answers to these five common questions, you’ll be sure to make a great impression in your VCU CRNA interview. Good luck!