CRNA'S in the USPHS, are there any? Also have a GS retirement question.

allnurses Guide · May 4, 2008

I am very interested in joining the USPHS after I graduate July '09 but wondered if there were any CRNA positions in that uniformed sector. From what I have explored on their website and even googled, I found nothing stating yes or no. I am at an understanding that for the MOST part, USPHS does not deal with a lot of critical/intensive care. OTHER OPTION.... I also wanted to know if working as a civilian nurse for a military hospital (is that what you call a GS?), could you relocate to another location later and still keep the time you put into it for your 30 year retirement? Like serve 15 in an area and 15 in another like you could in the military WITHOUT losing those years you put in or are you locked into that one hospital/location? Any feedback would be great.

Yes, USPHS has CRNAs. I am currently going to school with two USPHS SRNAs. Critical care/ICU size depends on the size of the hospital. My understanding d/t the nature of the Indian health hospitals you will get very little big traumas. You need to look at the bigger Indian Health Hospitals (Phoenix, Anchorage etc) for the bigger ICUs. http://www.ihs.gov/JobsCareerDevelop/CareerCenter/Vacancy/Index.cfm

A lot the military hospitals are using contractors instead of GS positions for a variety of reasons. In general if you transfer as a GS from one position (duty station) to another you do keep all your senority/benefits etc.

Cowboy Thug · May 5, 2008

Thank you for the much appreciated info. I really didn't think it was available but guess I was HAPPILY proven wrong. And also thank you for the civilian service question. I still can't decide what sector I want to pursue because of my little toddler. For me, it isn't so much the money, it's the benefits combined with stability for my little one. Thanks again!

allnurses Guide · May 5, 2008

Thank you for the much appreciated info. I really didn't think it was available but guess I was HAPPILY proven wrong. And also thank you for the civilian service question. I still can't decide what sector I want to pursue because of my little toddler. For me, it isn't so much the money, it's the benefits combined with stability for my little one. Thanks again!

USPHS is basically like being a civilian there are no "true" deployments as in the military branches (at most during a natural disaster you would might be called up for 2-3wks with your rental car & hotel room). If you are looking for all the benefits of the military and want the stability of civilian life then you should look into USPHS.

When applying to CRNA school through the USPHS it is two fold: 1. You have to obtain funding through your individual hospital/hospital system (USPHS doesn't fund your schooling the hospital does and then you agree to come back and work for them for 4 or 4.5 yrs) and 2. You still have to apply through USPHS for their approval.

Cowboy Thug · May 13, 2008

Hmm, I would assume there would be alot of competition within all the critical care nurses to be able to get considered for that CRNA position in that hospital. I wouldn't mind going to IHS in NM and AZ because it's closer to home but I can only assume alot of nurses want that CRNA sponsorship. Can anyone please inform me of the reality of this situation?

allnurses Guide · May 13, 2008

Hmm, I would assume there would be alot of competition within all the critical care nurses to be able to get considered for that CRNA position in that hospital. I wouldn't mind going to IHS in NM and AZ because it's closer to home but I can only assume alot of nurses want that CRNA sponsorship. Can anyone please inform me of the reality of this situation?

Actually, from what I was told there weren't any USPHS officers that even applied for CRNA school this year. Both of the SRNAs that I am in class with came from NM IHS hospitals. Each hospital is going to be highly variable whether they offer you a sponsorship or not, and you are probably going to have to approach the hospital vs. the hospital soliciting for applicants.

etherwannabe · Sep 22, 2011

WTBCRNA,

Could I ask what NM IHS hospitals those two CRNA's worked at? I am currently a Navy Nurse on the west coast and am considering making the move to the USPHS but would like know which IHS facilities have the larger ICUs. I see about two facilities in NM that seem to have a larger patient population. I am looking to go the CRNA route as well possibly through the USPHS program. I understand they do the majority of their clinicals in Alaska.

Thanks!

-Etherwannabe

allnurses Guide · Sep 22, 2011

WTBCRNA,
Could I ask what NM IHS hospitals those two CRNA's worked at? I am currently a Navy Nurse on the west coast and am considering making the move to the USPHS but would like know which IHS facilities have the larger ICUs. I see about two facilities in NM that seem to have a larger patient population. I am looking to go the CRNA route as well possibly through the USPHS program. I understand they do the majority of their clinicals in Alaska.
Thanks!
-Etherwannabe

Gallup and Shiprock if I remembering correctly.

The USPHS SRNA's main clinical site is the Native hospital in Anchorage Alaska. They also spend a couple of months at Elmendorf AFB hospital, a month at the Hattiesburg VA in Mississippi, and this graduating class both went to Landstuhl in Germany for a month.

etherwannabe · Sep 22, 2011

Gallup and Shiprock if I remembering correctly.
The USPHS SRNA's main clinical site is the Native hospital in Anchorage Alaska. They also spend a couple of months at Elmendorf AFB hospital, a month at the Hattiesburg VA in Mississippi, and this graduating class both went to Landstuhl in Germany for a month.

Thank you so much for that information WTBCRNA! I suspected Gallup was one of them but was not sure. Thank you so much for the list of clinical sites too, that is extremely helpful. I will attempt to get in contact with both of the facilities to chat with them. Thanks again for the fast response!

-Etherwannabe