Military CRNA Programs

I heard the VA was going to increase the number of spots at Ft. Sam to 10. Is that true? Or is it still 3-4.

Does anyone know if the VA and/or military consider pediatric ICU as countable toward ICU time?

I'm currently working on my RN, but aspire to become CRNA down the road. I was unable to join the military after a back surgery just after high school b/c of rods and screws that are in my back...Would a military CRNA program accept me with my situation?

This is accurate.

If you have questions let me know, I am in the phase I right now,
c.

In what ways is the USAGPAN school way harder than other CRNA programs?

I just did an accellerated nursing program for BSN and it was intense. It was a 12 month program and we had 3 clinicals a week with 21 semester credits our third semester, not exactly a piece of cake. Im just wondering what the work load is during your phase one. How many days a week do you have class and for how many hours a day? You are on a semester basis? Do you get semester breaks? How many classes per semester? How many hours of class/study time do you put in a week? Is class attendance mandatory or could you study during classtime? Funny question but I do better studying on my own rather than daydreaming and sitting still for 8hours at a time being talked to in class. Is it an exam a week or something? In my BSN accellerated we regularly had 3 exams in the same week, all high stakes cause our grade was 4 exams nothing else. Im having a hard time imagining its harder but everyone says it is. Not sure about my case cause I love math and science better than nursing questions so I hope to have a pleasant suprise but bet it will suck everybit as much as everyone says.

I passed MEPS and they are sending my app to boards for nov 17 for army reserves but my master plan is the usagpan school in a couple years. Any insight would be awesome. thanks

Hello... I am also interested but havea few questions I was hoping some that are experiencing or have experienced the program can answer..

In this post one said, "In what ways is the USAGPAN school way harder than other CRNA programs?
Having never been to CRNA school before, I can not tell you how it compares (in difficulty) to other civilian programs. I can tell you it is one of the best Graduate experiences I have had. I highly recommend it. Because the Army is "vested" in your success in the program, they put tons of $$$ into training you for a very autonomous role."

What are the admission requirements to get in? I have one year left of my BSN program and want to make sure I take all the correct steps post graduation.

I have listed the website with the specs on other posts....but google usagpan and you will get the website with the reqs. GRE 1000, GPA 3 something, at least 1 yr ICU experience.....but I would have at least 4 yrs under my belt, IMO.

Is it a set four years of service you must give once you are done? Do you live on base while attending USAGPAN school? How much is your monthly stipind..? What happens if you get a low grade on a test? are you allowed to retake, or do they kick people out of the program?
A 100% tuition is paid and you owe 4.5 yrs payback and it will go up to 5? when they switch to a DNP. No, you don't have to live on-base, you can live whereever you choose. Your monthly pay depends on your rank and yrs of service, check the military forum on this webpage for more info on that.
If you score below an 80 on a test, that is bad. You have to go for weekly counseling sessions and teaching from the instructors. Anything below an 80 in graduate school is considered "failing". You may be required to take the "comprehensive final" is you score too low on tests in a subject. We just had one student "not meet the academic requirements......". It is tough.

I am mostly a "B" student, but work incrediably hard, best from hands on training... I do think this would be the best option for me, but an questioning what other steps I need to take to apply and prepare myself.

Most important is "YEARS of EXPERIENCE". Do yourself a favor and don't apply until you are reallllllly comfortable in critical care. Seriously. You will be running codes and in charge of airways, so.......know what to do when things start going south.

What would you say are the pros and what are the cons of the program..? The military will pay 100% of your tution? do they give you a signing bonus..? I will graduate with 42,000 of undergrad debt.. should I look into signing with becoming a RN in the military first? I just dont want to be shuffled off though and not recieve ICU training..

For CRNA school, there is NO sign-on bonus.....your bonus is going to CRNA school without tuition. If you sign on now, there is no garauntee you will be assigned to an ICU in the Army. If you take a sign-on bonus, you can not go to CRNA school until your "payback" for the bonus is completed........your choice.

Thank you for your help and insight! You all inspire me!
Alli