[The Little Greek]

Originally Posted by sofloescapee

Have you considered the CRNA program.

Not really. I'm pretty much a dedicated OB nurse. I know you have to have several years of critical care exp for that program. I find critical care quite interesting, but I'd prefer to have a critical pt that's pregnant/delivered . I have an MSN right now and I'm thinking that I may one day want to get a post-masters WHCNP but I'm not committed at this point. I think I've got enough on my plate just getting into the AF and learning a new way of doing things. Perhaps after I've acclimated to AD I'll investigate it further.

Thanks for the well wishes in COT. Lucky you that you don't have to go! Good luck to you at Elmendorf!

[wtbcrna]

Originally Posted by sofloescapee

Little Greek,
Have you considered the CRNA program. From what feeble knowledge I have of the program it is approx 2 years. You must have the GRE score>1000 and at least 1 yr exp in critical care. Please correct me if I am wrong. Then, if you are approved, you travel to TX for the military school. You are paid your salary, same benefits as on active duty and are only expected to study and attend the school. After the school is complete you will tack on an additional 2 yrs of obligation.
I have CCU/ICU friends who have mortgaged their homes and all savings exhausted just to attend a south flo CRNA program. The AF supposedly doesn't have enough qualified applicants each year. Do look into this if you are so inclined.
I wonder if anyone has a stats regarding mobilization length to IRAQ and Afg? for AF nurses I believe the length is shorter than the mobilization of the other branch nurses.
Terri

I will see if I can answer some of questions about the AF CRNA program since I am starting my 2nd yr as an SRNA at USUHS.

1. Committment after school is 4.5yrs not 2yrs.
2. Requirements: 2yrs TOS by the time you apply to school (approx 3yr by the time you actually start school), 1yr min acute care/critical care experience, and GRE scores of 1000 or greater + 3.5 or higher on the writing portion.
3. There are now two military schools (the Navy is intergrating with USUHS completely starting this summer for their CRNA program). One school is in San Antonio and the other at USUHS in Bethesda, Md as an AF member you can go to either one, but the majority of AF goes to USUHS.
4. You are on AD while going to school with all the benefits, time towards retirement etc, and all the aggravation...pt tests, formations, 6 mile march during the middle of finals week, tour of USNS Comfort during mid terms, and of course some very minor extra duties sometimes.

Deployments are generally 4-6months for AF nurses with the most common being 4 months.