CRNA school admissions can feel like guesswork until you hear how faculty break it down in real time. We sit down with Dr. Matthew Harmon, a CRNA educator and admissions leader (and assistant program director at the University of Evansville), for an Instagram Live Q and A packed with the kind of specifics applicants crave: what actually makes a competitive application, how to prepare for tough interview formats, and what “good ICU experience” really means when programs evaluate critical care readiness.

We talk through NursingCAS, building a resume that goes beyond the minimum, and choosing certifications that fit your unit instead of chasing random letters. Dr. Harmon shares practical interview prep anchored in ACLS-level scenarios, vasopressors, electrolyte management, and emotional intelligence questions that reveal how you handle conflict and pressure. You will also hear straight talk on references, leadership when you are not charge, rolling admissions timing, and why humility matters even if you are coming from an NP or other advanced practice path.

There is also a high-yield clinical detour into malignant hyperthermia: what triggers it, what early signs to watch for, and why succinylcholine is not the answer. If you are already accepted, the guidance is refreshingly grounded: protect your energy, avoid burnout, and keep prep simple with daily EKG practice and approachable anesthesia reading.

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