Navy @ Georgetown

Neuromancer

Normally, I'd tell you that at MOST programs, ICU experience is the requirement for application. Some programs take ER experience, but not many. A check of the Georgetown web page shows that they require one year clinical practice in critical care, but they do not specify what constitutes critical care. (Their web page is at:

http://snhs.georgetown.edu/academics/graduate/na.html
)

The real deal is that the military is a separate animal. Some of what applies to civilian nurses may not apply to military nurses. It sounds as though they have a program to admit so many Navy nurses per class. They may also have a special deal worked out with the university as to what kind of experience is acceptable for Navy nurses. Check with the program director or your Education Officer to find out. Certainly, I'd think you have a pretty good chance, especially since you have your CEN certification. Let me know what you find out. I'd be interested to know.

On another note, when I was a student, I met several military CRNA students at conventions and such. If you have no problem staying in the military while you get your CRNA, this is a great way to go. School is paid for in full, and you continue to recieve your salary as a Naval officer. Most civilians graduate CRNA programs with debts ranging from $50,000 to $100,000. You won't have that. One down side is that once you graduate, by virtue of the population you serve, most of your patients will be ASA I or II. Pretty healthy kids, mostly. It's tough to keep up some of your skills in that environment. Just a thought to keep in mind.

Kevin McHugh, CRNA

Ok, I spoke to some of the Navy folks here.

They all say that you are in a perfect situation to find information on becomming a Navy CRNA.

Basically they said the first step is to get to know the CRNA's at your current station. You will have to do this anyway, as one of the required parts of the application is a recommendation from a practicing Navy CRNA. So i would start there if I were you. From there you and find out about the rest.

As far as critical care experience goes, several of the Navy folks switched to work in the ICU fo the period preceding the evaluation of their package. I would recommend the same.

Beyond this limmitted advice, I can't add much.

Good luck.

Craig

From what I gather, the Navy decides on their own about who go's and who doesn't. Don't forget you can go to USHS also.

BTW one of the guys in our program is going to be at retirement in terms of years served, so he will have to spend more than twenty years in due to becomming a CRNA. So your years served won't be a problem.

Go for it.