SoldierMurse DNP, CRNA

SoldierMurse has 21 years experience as a DNP, CRNA and specializes in Med/Surge, ED, Critical Care, Anesthesia.

Latest Activity

1. Should I Start Working as a Civilian Nurse or Join the Navy?

   SoldierMurse replied to NoahBellarosa's topic in Government

   If you know that you want to be a military CRNA then I would lean towards obtaining the required ICU experience and then trying to enter the program that way. This will likely be faster then trying to commission as a new RN then obtaining the requir...

2. How difficult is it to specialize in the Army?

   SoldierMurse replied to Squirrel13's topic in Government

   It's been a little while since I went to the ICU course (2012) but I was able to get into the ICU course quicker than my peers at other duty stations because I was stationed at Fort Sam. Generally they want you to finish your 3 years time on station...

3. Army Nurse

   SoldierMurse replied to kingjames06's topic in Government

   What jfratian said is true, it will be extremely competitive likely next to impossible to join as a brand new nurse without experience in the Army. Even with ICU/ED background and certifications, it is still very competitive. If you want to join now...

4. Advice about Active Army Nursing

   SoldierMurse replied to kristinalynn97's topic in Government

   I echo what Rhody16x says, I don't think the Army is accepting brand new nurses right now with no experience. If you want to be an ICU nurse in the Army I would recommend trying to get an ICU job out of school and get the required experience to comm...

5. Army or Air Force NTP

   SoldierMurse replied to Lmoranz's topic in Government

   Have you considered getting civilian ICU experience then directly commissioning into the Army CRNA program? (US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing) You only need one year of Critical care experience to be eligible, experience wise. It woul...

6. New Army Nurse Location?

   SoldierMurse replied to RandomNurse123's topic in Government

   I've spent 6 years at Fort Sam (3 years Med/Surge, 3 years ICU). I would never want to go back there, too much bureaucracy and politics but you will get good experience as its the only Level I in the DOD. Also if ICU then CRNA is your goal, it is e...

7. I need help making this decision and its urgent!

   SoldierMurse replied to harmonylove28's topic in Government

   I also don't think you should be talking to the National Guard at all. I know there are some nursing positions in the guard but they are very few and far between limiting your options. If you want to be in the reserves speak to a military healthcar...

8. Aspiring Army Nurse. Suggestions?

   SoldierMurse replied to darren_callcareer18's topic in Government

   I would seriously consider backing out of your contract before you leave for Basic training. I believe its called a DEP discharge and while it may upset your recruiter, it seems to me they were not entirely honest with you. Once you report for basic...

9. Army Nurse

   SoldierMurse replied to kingjames06's topic in Government

   You need to talk to a healthcare recruiter, there is usually only one per major city. You can google Army healthcare recruiter to locate the one that is closest to you and then contact them. You do not need to take the ASVAB to join as a nurse corps...

10. Looking for advice on joining with the new reduction in force just announced.

    SoldierMurse replied to SNOWPATROL's topic in Government

    It depends on the specialty you plan on pursuing in the nurse corps. I know in the Army they have recently increased the retention bonus for both ICU nurses and CRNA's. At the same time from what I am hearing from leadership and briefings, there ar...

11. Military Nursing

    SoldierMurse replied to hppygr8ful's topic in Government

    I followed your son's plans and it has been very successful for me. I enlisted out of high school as a medic, then used the GI bill when I got out to receive my BSN. I ended up then commissioning as I missed the military and the Army is currently p...

12. New grad in the military

    SoldierMurse replied to Flyer490's topic in Government

    It might have changed since I first commisioned but you were guaranteed to go to one of four specialties courses(OB, Critical Care, OR, Public health) in the Army within your first four years of commisioning. The ER course is not gaurenteed though fo...

13. USAGPAN 2019

    SoldierMurse replied to pkstien's topic in Government

    There were likely just less applicants. They generally have 40 slots each year between military and civilian/reservists. Funding can change this but I know it has been 40 for the last three years. I applied two years ago for the program. When the ...

14. USAGPAN 2019

    SoldierMurse replied to pkstien's topic in Government

    There were only I believe 8 active duty selected for the program to start next year, compared to 19 from the previous year. That leaves a lot more civilian/reservist spots available. Good luck to all that are applying.

15. ActiveDuty RNs, tell us about your week.

    SoldierMurse replied to ufoturtle081's topic in Government

    I was also prior service medic and LVN, and I can confirm it is much better on the officer side. You are for the most part treated as a professional and I see that the enlisted within the hospital have to put up with much more BS than the officers d...