Military CRNA School

[poja_18]

Hi all,

I just found this forum and I find the information to be very helpful and extensive. I am entering my final year in my RN program and I have a question in regards to joining the military after I receive my RN degree.

I was told my a CRNA that I was observing that when you enter the military with your RN degree, you can enter CRNA school immediately without working 1 yr as an RN in an ICU. He also told me that I would only be required to work for 2 years for the military as a CRNA after I completed my degree.

Prior to talking with this individual, it had never crossed my mind to enter the military, but now I am curious.

Is there anyone out there that can confirm this is true? Any recommendations from anyone who has entered the military with their RN in order to obtain their CRNA degree?

Any advice would be much appreciated!!

[trixietl]

That is not correct. I have just been accepted to the program and went to visit the anesthesia school last week. I start in June. You do need to have ICU experience, although I can't tell you how long. I have 15 years of critical care and my CCRN, so I didn't really pay attention to that detail. Also, you have to give them 4.5 years back, not 2. The schooling is 2 years though. Also, they pay for any student loans you have right now, plus they pay for all of the anesthesia school and they pay you full-time RN wages while you go to school.

[armynse]

That is not correct. I have just been accepted to the program and went to visit the anesthesia school last week. I start in June. You do need to have ICU experience, although I can't tell you how long. I have 15 years of critical care and my CCRN, so I didn't really pay attention to that detail. Also, you have to give them 4.5 years back, not 2. The schooling is 2 years though. Also, they pay for any student loans you have right now, plus they pay for all of the anesthesia school and they pay you full-time RN wages while you go to school.

What are you talking about? I am an active duty nurse and I'm in phase I at USAGPAN/Northeastern University. My program is 30 months long, not just 2 years. The Army will not, I repeat, will not pay back previous student loans for direct accessions. As a direct accession, you will receive the benefit of a graduate education with a debt of 4.5 years upon completion of the course. You will likely earn less income than you would as a civilian RN unless you have prior military experience. Telling someone that they will earn full-time RN wages is a significant stretch of the truth. I, personally, earn far more money than I did as a civilian RN because I have 18 years time in service.

However, there's a direct accession second lieutenant in my class and he's singing the blues because he took a huge pay cut to join the Army in order to go to school. I have to remind him that he would be in a worse financial position if he was going to a civilian CRNA school because there he would earn nothing and incur a mountain of debt.

trixietl, please be careful about the information you disseminate. BTW, the ICU requirement is one year.

Army, SRNA

[trixietl]

Yes, they do pay for your loans. Maybe they started this since you last checked. I just signed the papers. I had a choice of taking a $30,000 sign-on bonus, or a $10,000 sign on with them paying off my loans. They pay up to $38,000 per year with a max of $110,000 total. Maybe this is a new change you weren't aware of. Thanks for your input and good luck with your schooling.

[armynse]

The loan repayment that you refer to is for regular direct accessions. I was referring to CRNA direct accessions who are afforded the benefit of a $100,000 education. I was in study group when I received your reply and no one in my group believed your claim of being accepted to USAGPAN as well as receiving a signing bonus. If your claim is correct, you will be receiving a $130,000 bonus to join the Army and attend the #2 CRNA program in the country. Thank you for the heads-up! All 36 of us will contact branch this week and find out why we weren't eligible for that money.

Army, SRNA

[trixietl]

I called my recruiter after your response to let him know what you said. He told me he was just getting ready to call me about that (yeh, right). I thought I had signed everthing. Let the lies begin. He was not aware I was not eligible for bonus and loan repayment until he received a nasty mail from someone (again, yeh, right). Anyway, I am grateful you responded. He said I can file a claim that I was misinformed if I want to change my mind. Somehow I have a feeling that is a lie also. I did get a letter of acceptance into the program and had to fly to Texas this past weekend to interview with LTC Silvasy. This is something new they just started, I was told. It was a nice experience. I got to follow the Phase II students in OR and tour the sites. LTC Silvasy needs to send a letter of recommendation to the school now for new apps. Hopefully this situation isn't one lie of many to come. I guess we'll see. Thanks again.

[twoods2332]

My name is Tejon. I am ER nurse who plans to change to the ICU and apply to this program from next year. Please any SRNA give me advise on having a strong application and gaining acceptation. Thank you again. I am already a officer in the ANG.

Respectfully yours,

Tejon, RN BSN

Future CRNA

[lkosrn]

Everyone is discussing pay? Put it into perspective...I get payed now $1300/pay check every 2 weeks. After taxes and health insurance...take home!!!

[lkosrn]

everyone is talking about t he $ give me a typical paycheck...right now i take home $1300/ biweekly! how does this compare.

[mellue8]

Thats $1300/2wks as an RN right?

[olderthandirt2]

my pay is about $1900 after taxes, every two weeks......my healthcare is covered (I pay for dental for my husband which is cheap)......only life insurance comes out.......I am a 1LT in the Army CRNA program (1st year), hopefully I will get promoted next year...

c.

[treisch]

As an ICU nurse I can tell you that you should DEFINITELY work as an ICU nurse for a year prior to going to school for CRNA.... the thought of anyone being accepted into the program without prior nursing experience is very scary to me! You will need to know how to run a code as a nurse anesthetist....shockable rhythms-- what drugs to use etc.... what drips to use if your patient is hypotensive in the OR-- how much to give-- fluids vs vasopressors--- things that can only be learned through experience... not a textbook! Even Anesthesiologists start off first as residents on the general floor and work their way up until they can specialize in anesthesia. Just food for thought-- but good luck!