St. John Fisher CRNA Interview: 90 Minutes, a Quiz and Who Gets In
What happens at the St. John Fisher nurse anesthesia (CRNA) interview, how you get one, and how it decides your offer.
St. John Fisher interviews up to 60 finalists a year, in person on its Rochester campus with no Zoom option. You meet the nurse anesthesia faculty for about 90 minutes and take a short quiz. Applications run February 1 to April 1, interviews are in June and 12 students are accepted.
Key facts (Annual cycle (applications February 1 to April 1))
- Format
- An interview with the nurse anesthesia faculty, plus a short quiz.
- Length
- About 90 minutes.
- Online or in person
- In person on campus only. Fisher offers no Zoom option.
- Who is interviewed
- Up to 60 finalists a year, chosen after Fisher reviews complete applications.
- When
- Applications February 1 to April 1. Interview invitations by April 15, interviews in June and decisions by July 15.
- Class size and fee
- 12 students a cycle. No application fee.
- Accepted students
- Most have three to five years of current full-time ICU work and an average GPA of 3.6.
What happens at the interview
Fisher spells out its interview format. Expect a long faculty interview and a test of what you know.
- Faculty panel. You meet with the nurse anesthesia faculty.
- About 90 minutes. Fisher tells interviewees to expect the interview to last about 90 minutes.
- A short quiz. Interviewees should expect to take a short quiz.
- On campus only. Interviews are in person in Rochester. No Zoom option is offered.
What they look for. Fisher says it closely reviews interview performance, such as test knowledge, critical thinking skills and how well you adapt in different scenarios.
How offers are decided
Fisher looks at your years of ICU work and GPA, and also closely reviews your recommendations and interview performance.
- 12 seats. Fisher accepts 12 students each cycle from up to 60 finalists.
- Decisions in July. Final decisions are sent by July 15.
How you get an interview
You apply through Fisher's own online application, which opens February 1. Only applications complete by April 1 are considered.
ICU experience
You need at least 1 year of critical care work and must currently work in an accepted ICU. Most accepted candidates have three to five years.
- Units that count. CCU or CVICU, MICU, neuro ICU, SICU, burn ICU, trauma ICU and PICU.
- Units that don't. NICU, ER, OR, flight nursing and PACU.
- Outside the U.S. Only ICU work in a U.S. military hospital is accepted.
Grades, letters and paperwork
- GPA. A cumulative GPA of 3.0, with 3.3 or higher preferred.
- Three courses. A B or higher in health assessment, research (evidence-based practice) and statistics. No GRE and no specific science courses are required.
- New York RN license. An active New York State RN license, or proof that it is in progress when you apply.
- Certifications. Current ACLS, BLS and PALS. CCRN is not required but strongly recommended.
- Two recommendations. One from your ICU nurse manager or medical director, and one from a nurse practitioner, PA, CRNA or critical care physician you work with.
The Professional Education Statement
Your statement must cover your reasons for applying, your short- and long-term goals and how you will handle the workload with your other commitments.
It also asks for the population you want to focus on for your CRNA project, one clinical problem it would address, and how you will improve health for people of all backgrounds.
Three letters means waiting for three. If you list three recommenders, your file is not complete until all three letters arrive.
Dates and other details
Fisher runs one short application window each year.
The yearly calendar
- February 1. The application opens.
- April 1. Deadline for a complete application, with all materials.
- April 15. Interview invitations and decision notices are sent.
- June. Interviews on campus.
- July 15. Final decisions.
A dual degree
The program combines the CRNA with the adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner (AGACNP) role. It is full time over 36 months, with at least 2,600 clinical hours, 600 of them in the AGACNP role.
Classes are in person in Rochester, and Fisher assigns clinical sites within 60 miles. Fisher strongly discourages working, especially from the third semester.
How to prepare
Fisher tests knowledge directly, so prepare your science as well as your stories.
- Review ICU science. Go over the pharmacology, hemodynamics and physiology you use every shift. Be ready to explain why, not just what.
- Practice thinking out loud. Fisher looks at critical thinking and how you adapt to scenarios. Talk through a case step by step and say how you would change course if things got worse.
- Know why both roles. Fisher's program adds acute care NP training. Have a clear answer for why that fits your goals.
- Plan the trip. Interviews are in person only, so plan travel to Rochester for June.
Say what you don't know. If a quiz or clinical question goes past your knowledge, say so, then explain how you would find the answer safely.
Practice questions
Questions in the style of a In-person faculty interview and quiz station, written for applicants to St. John Fisher University, DNP Nurse Anesthesia and AGACNP. They are practice questions, not the school's own. Open one for what a strong answer does.
Explain the difference between MAC and general anesthesia.
Define each in plain words, then compare airway, consciousness and monitoring with one example of when you would choose each.
Describe the signs and management of a transfusion reaction.
Stop the transfusion first, then walk through the signs, the checks and the treatment in a clear order.
Why does renal failure cause anemia?
Link the kidney's role in making erythropoietin to red cell production, then name one way it changes patient care.
Why CRNA and not NP or another advanced practice role?
Contrast the roles fairly and point to moments in the ICU that drew you to anesthesia, and say how acute care skills will help.
How do you feel about giving up a paying job for 2-3 years?
Show a real plan for money and time so the panel knows you can commit fully.
If you don't know the answer to something in clinical practice, what do you do?
Admit it plainly, keep the patient safe, then name the people and resources you would use to find out.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the St. John Fisher CRNA interview?
About 90 minutes with the nurse anesthesia faculty, and you should expect a short quiz.
Can I interview at St. John Fisher over Zoom?
No. Interviews are on campus and in person only, and Fisher offers no Zoom option.
How many applicants does Fisher interview and accept?
Up to 60 finalists are interviewed each year and 12 students are accepted each cycle.
When is the St. John Fisher CRNA deadline?
Applications open February 1 and must be complete by April 1. Interview invitations go out by April 15, interviews are in June and final decisions come by July 15.
Does Fisher require the GRE or CCRN?
Neither. Fisher does not require the GRE, and CCRN is not required but strongly recommended.
Sources
Official pages only, read on the date shown. Schools change their process every year, so check the school's own page before you apply.
- St. John Fisher University: CRNA Application Process · read October 25, 2026
- St. John Fisher University: Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) Program · read October 25, 2026