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CRNA and the military???



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Jul 22, 2006 06:33 PM

CRNA and the military???


Hello everyone. I am asking anyone with relative experience in the field of military CRNA. I am 23 y/o, I have been working in a rescue depart. as a paramedic since 18. I am currently a PALS and ACLS instructor. I am completing my last semester in B.S. of R.N. I plan to apply to a CRNA program after a year of trauma ICU. I have a CRNA entrance GPA, all the pre-req. I have a family member that is a CRNA which completed school at Miami. I have shadowed her and have strongly considered the proffesion.
I would like to ask of the different military program routes I can take. May I directly enter a CRNA program with no military hx, and then perform my duties, or do I have to be a prior enlist? Who do I have to see? May a choose a specific branch to serve under? I have always wanted to serve, but getting hired into a Fire Depart. with other obbligations have delayed that.
Thanks!!

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10 Comments
No. 1
from Angie033003
Old Jul 23, 2006, 09:14 AM

Default Re: CRNA and the military???
Check out this website...http://www.dns.amedd.army.mil/crna/A...reservists.htm
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No. 2
from DanznRN
Old Jul 24, 2006, 05:55 AM

Default Re: CRNA and the military???
Mikeyl242-

Here's what the Navy has to offer, feel free to verify it with a Naval recruiter.

May I directly enter a CRNA program with no military hx, and then perform my duties, or do I have to be a prior enlist?
First, if you have your BSN, you do not enlist, you are commissioned as an officer. Unfortunately, you can not enter directly into the Navy's CRNA program (also known as "going to DUINS"). Generally nurses have to spend at least 3 years (your first tour) on active duty before even applying for the program, walk before you run. The Navy only takes 18-21 people per year, very competative. I would figure the other services are similar, but don't know for a fact. The military likes "buy in" from you if their spending $100,000+ on your education.

Who do I have to see?
I would start with a recruiter

May I choose a specific branch to serve under?
Take your pic, there's 3, Army, Navy, Air Force, (Marines are part of the Department of the Navy) you get to decide.

If I can help you out anymore, please let me know.

LT Dan
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No. 3
from Corvette Guy
Old Jul 24, 2006, 11:33 PM

Default Re: CRNA and the military???
Originally Posted by mikeyl242
Hello everyone. I am asking anyone with relative experience in the field of military CRNA. I am 23 y/o, I have been working in a rescue depart. as a paramedic since 18. I am currently a PALS and ACLS instructor. I am completing my last semester in B.S. of R.N. I plan to apply to a CRNA program after a year of trauma ICU. I have a CRNA entrance GPA, all the pre-req. I have a family member that is a CRNA which completed school at Miami. I have shadowed her and have strongly considered the proffesion.
I would like to ask of the different military program routes I can take. May I directly enter a CRNA program with no military hx, and then perform my duties, or do I have to be a prior enlist? Who do I have to see? May a choose a specific branch to serve under? I have always wanted to serve, but getting hired into a Fire Depart. with other obbligations have delayed that.
Thanks!!
You need to see an Army Health Care Recruiter, ASAP. The Army Nurse Corps is in dire need of [66F] Army CRNAs. Basically, you put in several application packets. One packet is for direct commission as a nurse officer into the Army Nurse Corps [active duty, or reserves, your choice]. Second packet, you apply for acceptance into the University of Houston Health Science Center Master of Nursing Army Program, however you would actually attend the Army's CRNA program at FT Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX [12 months classroom, then 18 mths same place, or elsewhere]. Third packet, you apply for acceptance into the Long Term Health Education program, which essentially means the Army foots the $$$ bill with you giving back 4.5 yrs service for 2.5 yrs of CRNA school.

I hope that makes sense. I applied with high GPA, but my GRE score stunk. So, after two GRE tries my plan was changed to plan B where I'm very content to be a [66H8A], critical care nurse in the Army Nurse Corps.

Post up here if you have any further questions.

Good luck!

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No. 4
from macanes
Old Jul 25, 2006, 10:17 AM

Default Re: CRNA and the military???
What you are asking about is exactly what I did in 1996. I was 18 mos. out of my BSN and had been working in a CCU/SICU for five years (3.5 as a tech during school, 1.5 as a RN after grad) when I entered "direct ascesion" into the Army. I went to the Officers Basic course in March 1997 and began phase I of the US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing in June 1997.
The commitment has changed (was four years for my class) to 4.5 years. Other than that, everything is much the same.
When I entered, you had to apply to both the San Antonio program (which I wanted) accredited (sp?) through UT Houston HSC, and the USUSHS (sp?) program in D.C./Maryland.
I'll dig up some of my old posts on the subject FYI, if you're interested.


Originally Posted by mikeyl242
Hello everyone. I am asking anyone with relative experience in the field of military CRNA. I am 23 y/o, I have been working in a rescue depart. as a paramedic since 18. I am currently a PALS and ACLS instructor. I am completing my last semester in B.S. of R.N. I plan to apply to a CRNA program after a year of trauma ICU. I have a CRNA entrance GPA, all the pre-req. I have a family member that is a CRNA which completed school at Miami. I have shadowed her and have strongly considered the proffesion.
I would like to ask of the different military program routes I can take. May I directly enter a CRNA program with no military hx, and then perform my duties, or do I have to be a prior enlist? Who do I have to see? May a choose a specific branch to serve under? I have always wanted to serve, but getting hired into a Fire Depart. with other obbligations have delayed that.
Thanks!!
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No. 5
from Corvette Guy
Old Jul 25, 2006, 11:40 AM

Default Re: CRNA and the military???
Originally Posted by macanes
What you are asking about is exactly what I did in 1996. I was 18 mos. out of my BSN and had been working in a CCU/SICU for five years (3.5 as a tech during school, 1.5 as a RN after grad) when I entered "direct ascesion" into the Army. I went to the Officers Basic course in March 1997 and began phase I of the US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing in June 1997.
The commitment has changed (was four years for my class) to 4.5 years. Other than that, everything is much the same.
When I entered, you had to apply to both the San Antonio program (which I wanted) accredited (sp?) through UT Houston HSC, and the USUSHS (sp?) program in D.C./Maryland.
I'll dig up some of my old posts on the subject FYI, if you're interested.
Sandman is in the Army CRNA program right now. I'm sure if he can find the time would answer any PMs regards to the program, or application process.

BTW, here is a useful Thread
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No. 6
from webdog66
Old Apr 10, 2007, 02:14 PM

Default Re: CRNA and the military???
I am currently a traveling nurse in NY, with 2 years nursing experience (20 months of it in ICU). I am a career changer who decided, at the age of 36, to drop everything and start over in nursing. Anyway, my fiancee is about to graduate (Dec., 2007) from CRNA school, after which we are moving to Florida where I'll be attending Barry University's CRNA program.

I, too, have been looking at the military - specifically the ARMY reserve as their program appears to offer the most benefits. I can sign up for the reserve just before I start school. On my first anniversary (loans have to be at least 1 year old), they will repay up to $20k. Same on the second anniversary, and 10K for my last half-year of school for a total of $50k. I will only go for $40k repayment for reasons that are too complicated to go into here.

In addition to loan repayment, they will pay me something like $1,400 and change per month while in school. They also will give me drill pay (called STRAP pay - no actual drilling while in school) of $400 or so per month (2nd Lieutenant pay). Sorry, but I don't have the exact figures in front of me!

I will then owe the ARMY 4 years of reserve duty (if I take 2 years of the STRAP pay as there is a 2:1 ratio of service time to STRAP pay).

Out of school, they can call me up for a 3 month deployment (plus 1 month of officer training - nothing very physical in the training) then I am free for 12 months, after which they could call me up again. Apparently, some people volunteer for their first deployment right out of school to get it out of the way so that they can sign a contract with a hospital, knowing that they won't be called up for at least 12 months.

This is where I stand at the moment. I have not made up my mind whether I will join and I do have some time to think about it!

Hope this helps! The pay sounds a little complicated, but only because it is. You get paid from 2 separate programs! Of course, check with your recruiter, and good luck!!

PS I wish I was YOUR age when I found out about nurse anesthesia!!
John
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No. 7
from Tanker
Old Apr 18, 2007, 09:15 AM

Default Re: CRNA and the military???
I am kinda in the same boat. I will have 2yrs ER experience by the time I go active in Aug. I was wondering if the Army's CRNA programs accept ER experience (civilian) for the critical care requirement? Trying to plan my career if at all possible.
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No. 8
from trixietl
Old Aug 24, 2008, 11:29 AM

Default Re: CRNA and the military???
Your local healthcare recruiter can fill you in.
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No. 9
from trixietl
Old Aug 24, 2008, 11:46 AM

Default Re: CRNA and the military???
This website will help you immensely: www.dns.amedd.army.mil/crna/
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