Army Nurse Corps FY2013

Specialties Government

Published

Hey everybody, I'm starting a thread here for those applying to the Army Nurse Corps in FY2013. I figure this might be a good place to get to know other future nurse corps officers and a place for the veterans of the ANC to pass on some advice.

Share your story and hopefully we will meet down in San Antonio this Winter/spring of 2013

Ill start with my story,

I am a 28 y/o critical care nurse with 2 years experience in a level 2 trauma center in Virignia. I passed MEPS at Ft. Eustis and have submitted security packet, letters of reference and letter of intent.

I am applying to the October review board for Active Duty Army Nurse Corps for the 66H8A(critical care) and 66T(trauma) programs( I am not sure if they are still running this one, but you don't get what you don't ask for).

I am happily married with a baby on the way, my wife is 100% behind a move the Army and I feel blessed to have her love and support.

The road to the Army has been a long one with a degree in Biology, stint as a drug rep and return for an accelerated BSN.

I love being a nurse and love working in critical care. I hope to serve my country in uniform treating service members & their families at home and in forward deployed units.

I want to be an critical care nurse and officer in the U.S. Army and I hope that I will get to meet all of you in uniform at BOLC, at MEDDAC, CSH or FST in CONUS or OCONUS.

Here's to all us achieving our dreams of becoming Army Nurses!

HOOOOOOAH!

Specializes in Nursing.

I *really, really, really* want to get into the Army's GPAN program - and it has always been a dream of mine to serve my country as well. I have a few questions about this. First, I am a female, completing my Bachelor's degree now, and I will be finished in August of 2013. Second, I will be 39 when my Bachelor's degree is done. I have 2 years of ER experience, no ICU experience. As I understand it, having 2 years of ICU experience is required to be competitive in being accepted into a CRNA program (along with organic chemistry on my transcript).

I am wondering what is my best strategy. Should I (A) Get into the Army or Air Force as soon as my Bachelor's degree is finished in August 2013 - and get into an ICU unit so I can work on getting 2 years of experience through the military to apply for the CRNA program? or should I (B) Get on with a VA hospital, get 2 years of experience in ICU through the VA, and enter the CRNA program through a VA scholarship?

I am worried that if I join the Army as a critical care nurse, my odds of getting into the CRNA program would be worse than my odds to get into the CRNA program as a civilian VA employee. Also - in terms of getting in to the CRNA program and enjoying my time in the military - would it be better for me to join the Army or the Air Force? I believe the military will accept me up to age 42 as a health care worker - but I need to make it happen if I'm going to do it!

0 Votes
Specializes in SICU.
I *really, really, really* want to get into the Army's GPAN program - and it has always been a dream of mine to serve my country as well. I have a few questions about this. First, I am a female, completing my Bachelor's degree now, and I will be finished in August of 2013. Second, I will be 39 when my Bachelor's degree is done. I have 2 years of ER experience, no ICU experience. As I understand it, having 2 years of ICU experience is required to be competitive in being accepted into a CRNA program (along with organic chemistry on my transcript).

I am wondering what is my best strategy. Should I (A) Get into the Army or Air Force as soon as my Bachelor's degree is finished in August 2013 - and get into an ICU unit so I can work on getting 2 years of experience through the military to apply for the CRNA program? or should I (B) Get on with a VA hospital, get 2 years of experience in ICU through the VA, and enter the CRNA program through a VA scholarship?

I am worried that if I join the Army as a critical care nurse, my odds of getting into the CRNA program would be worse than my odds to get into the CRNA program as a civilian VA employee. Also - in terms of getting in to the CRNA program and enjoying my time in the military - would it be better for me to join the Army or the Air Force? I believe the military will accept me up to age 42 as a health care worker - but I need to make it happen if I'm going to do it!

Get a job in ICU now, apply for a 2014 start by 1November 2013... going in as a civilian will likely be your fastest route. VA civilian is more competitive than direct accession as a civilian, I believe...

0 Votes
Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

FYI, I was deployed with a site director clinical portion for of the Army's CRNA program who stated that there is a very poor graduation rate for nurses over the age of 38. The reason I am telling you this is just to help you make an informed decision and in no way telling you not to go for it if that is what you want. Also, the VA CRNA program is run by the military services.

There is no guarantee that if you join the military you will be assigned to the ICU unless it is in writing. One way to do that is to have ICU course written into your commissioning contract.

Can not tell you how compative it is to get into the VA program but in the Army it is one of the most requested grad schools.

You need to speak with a Healthcare Recruiter for the Army & AF along with the VA to see which one would give you the best chance of getting into the CRNA program.

0 Votes

Hello everyone,

I am currently working on getting my packet all together, and I am so glad that I found this forum. I am a recent new grad from a BSN program in May 2012 and I have been working in a level 2 trauma center since that time. I just started with my recruiter but I have everything worked out so I should be able to finish my packet with no problem by the October selection board. From what I have been told by my recruiter, this year for active duty they are taking 10 nurses with more than 2 years experience and 10 nurses with less, is this true or has anyone heard anything like this? Also, I am wondering if there is anything anyone could suggest to make myself a bit more appealing to the selection board. I am afraid that my GPA is not really impressive enough to totally capture the board's attention so I need to find something more. I did get PALS and ACLS certified, is there anything else that I can do to shine a little brighter? I understand that as a new grad, just by the nature of time, I will not have a extensive profession record but I really want to put my best foot out there. I know it's a long shot but I thought I'd really try and maybe I'd get lucky who knows. Any and all advice/help would be greatly appreciated. Good luck to everyone!

0 Votes
Specializes in Critical care.

Hey Bnizi,

. I actually have heard no numbers mentioned on active duty, the only thing my recruiter has told me is that they are unsure of their mission this year i.e. how many nurses they need.

Selection board is getting closer and closer! Good luck to everybody!

0 Votes
Specializes in Medical-Surgical, Informatics.

the numbers they need are smaller now bc theyre cutting down the army (according to my unit company commander and first sergeant)

just apply anyway and make sure you make copies of everything! and make sure your recruiter wont mess you up and dont let them rush you if they do. and oh you need to do a personal statement with your packet about why join the army. just a reminder if you havent done so yet)

0 Votes

Thank you for getting back to me, I have completed my personal statement and my references are working hard at getting all of those complete as well. I am really trying to stay positive about all of this, even though it may seem like a one in a million shot for a new grad. But like Leekun said, I am going to apply anyways and hopefully something good will happen and I will get my dream position!

0 Votes
Specializes in Emergency, CCT.

I'm working on a commission as a 1LT in the Reserve; 66HM5 (ER nurse). The board approved my packet, and now I just waiting on a waiver for my prior service re-enlistment code. I should know within a few weeks, so that would probably put me going to BOLC this winter or next spring.

0 Votes
Specializes in Burns/Trauma.

USAGPAN? What is this? Sorry I am so green at all of this. Is this different than the Army Nurse Corps? I was originally told that they take 100 nurses, 20 new grads and 80 experienced nurses. Not sure the breakdown though as to how many specifically are critical care. I can't believe it is so few. I am so hopeful. I want this so much!

0 Votes
Specializes in Burns/Trauma.

Oh one more thing, I got constructive credit for 2.5 of the 5 years I have been an RN even though I have only been a BSN since March 2012 and an ADN before that. Also, I was told that having my CCRN would have helped me greatly but I applied to test and am unable to get a test date before boards at the end of Oct. I passed Medical....big relief at 34 yrs of age...and I lost 44 pounds to do it. I was damn proud of myself as some of those 17 year olds were getting taped at medical and I weighed in no problem. How will we all get through the waiting this next month....all the nail biting!

0 Votes

USAGPAN is the Army school for CRNA. BTW it was voted the number 1 program in the nation also. BTW are you in for the AMEDD board for the 5th of november. If so I have a question about your constructive credit. My wifes recruiter told her everything in her CV was accepted including her Critical Care Course directly after BOLC, but said that her constructive credit wasnt mentioned in the CV acceptance. I asked her, if she made sure to include it in the CV and she said she did, but that they made no comment in the acceptance document on whether it was accepted. So basically, was the 2.5 year offically remarked on in your CV acceptance?

And I see you have that they are accepting 100 nurses. I was told they will only be taking 40.

0 Votes
Specializes in Critical care.

Hey all,

Been busy wrapped up in work things for the past few weeks.

So here's what I know, my recruiter told me the board starts the week of Oct. 14th and goes through Nov. Right now my packet is complete and awaiting student loan info from lendors for Health Professions Loan Repayment Program. Once loan papers are in my recruiter told me that we will "sign papers"....I'm thinking this is the last stage for commissioning? Actually signing a contract with the Army... Anyways, more hurry up and wait... getting lots of practice with patience :) Good luck to all you nurses our there applying to the ANC. I hope ya'll get what you want and commission to the ANC!

Saw a quote today I think appropriate for this time of year with commission boards on the horizon,

"Remember, that it is the actions, and not the commission, that make the

Officer–and that there is more expected from him[or her] than the Title." - George Washington

Good luck to everyone.

HOOOAH!

0 Votes
+ Add a Comment