AIR FORCE CRNA HPSP 2019-2020

allnurses Guide · Jul 8, 2019

10 hours ago, ICUNurse32 said:
Hello All:
I am in my first year of DNP Anesthesia school. I just started 2 months ago and am heavily considering the Health Professions Scholarship Program with the Air Force.
Is anyone out here applying for the HPSP for the Air Force CRNA program? If so please detail your experiences. I am currently in the application process with my recruiter. I just wanted insight to what others have been doing.
Additionally:
-If there is any active duty CRNA who is practicing in the Air Force please detail what day to day life is.
-If anyone is currently receiving the HPSP, what is it like? How competitive was it to receive in your experience? How many actual scholarships are out there for the AF and how many applicants?
-Any Active Duty CRNA who is currently practicing and received the HPSP what is it like?
-Is the air force the only branch I should consider. I am told they have the least amount of scholarships available.
-What are the things the military DOES NOT tell you.
Any feedback is appreciated!
Thank you!

I am an AD USAF CRNA. The basic job of being a military CRNA is the same as any other place that has fully independent CRNAs with full scope of practice.

Currently, the military medical system is going through a complete overhaul under the DHA. We are losing days off, increasing the amount of trainings/time away from home for training, DHA is trying to cut medical jobs by 17,000+ (proposed 40% cut to USAF CRNAs), and increasing deployments. The medical cuts may or may not happen, but the other changes will be fully implemented this October 2019.

Each service is like a different flavor of ice cream. They all have the same basic ingredients/benefits but certain things are different such as facilities (sizes/locations slightly different scope of practices for APRNS), advancement opportunities, deployment lengths/types, and quality of life.

Almost every CRNA I know right now in the USAF is retiring or separating asap.

I think the USAF and Navy would be my top choices as a CRNA with the Army as a distant second/third if I were determined to join the military right now.

IMHO I wouldn’t join any military branch as a medical person until everything with the DHA is straightened out. I would advise looking at USPHS. USPHS is still a uniformed service, which means it has all the same benefits retirements without the military deployments and other hassles of being in the military. The biggest downside of being a CRNA in the USPHS is that almost 100% of the CRNA jobs are with IHS.

ICUNurse32, BSN, RN · Jul 8, 2019

7 hours ago, wtbcrna said:
I am an AD USAF CRNA. The basic job of being a military CRNA is the same as any other place that has fully independent CRNAs with full scope of practice.
Currently, the military medical system is going through a complete overhaul under the DHA. We are losing days off, increasing the amount of trainings/time away from home for training, DHA is trying to cut medical jobs by 17,000+ (proposed 40% cut to USAF CRNAs), and increasing deployments. The medical cuts may or may not happen, but the other changes will be fully implemented this October 2019.
Each service is like a different flavor of ice cream. They all have the same basic ingredients/benefits but certain things are different such as facilities (sizes/locations slightly different scope of practices for APRNS), advancement opportunities, deployment lengths/types, and quality of life.
Almost every CRNA I know right now in the USAF is retiring or separating asap.
I think the USAF and Navy would be my top choices as a CRNA with the Army as a distant second/third if I were determined to join the military right now.
IMHO I wouldn’t join any military branch as a medical person until everything with the DHA is straightened out. I would advise looking at USPHS. USPHS is still a uniformed service, which means it has all the same benefits retirements without the military deployments and other hassles of being in the military. The biggest downside of being a CRNA in the USPHS is that almost 100% of the CRNA jobs are with IHS.

The board for scholarship selection is in this October for me and interviews for the board is this August. I pretty much am either all in or not at this point as everything else is ready. How many years have you been AD? I want to serve but it is a big choice to make.

I considered the AF as my first choice, and I have talked to the Army. I had a tough time getting through to Navy personnel.

Is everyone retiring or separating just because of the longer deployments, less time off etc. as you detailed prior? Are you separating? Do you know if it has any impact on the HPSP?

A lot to digest from your post.

Did you join after you were a CRNA or during school and received scholarship?

Thank you for responding!

allnurses Guide · Jul 8, 2019

8 hours ago, ICUNurse32 said:
The board for scholarship selection is in this October for me and interviews for the board is this August. I pretty much am either all in or not at this point as everything else is ready. How many years have you been AD? I want to serve but it is a big choice to make.
I considered the AF as my first choice, and I have talked to the Army. I had a tough time getting through to Navy personnel.
Is everyone retiring or separating just because of the longer deployments, less time off etc. as you detailed prior? Are you separating? Do you know if it has any impact on the HPSP?
A lot to digest from your post.
Did you join after you were a CRNA or during school and received scholarship?
Thank you for responding!

I will be retiring in a couple of years. I joined the AF as an ICU nurse and then went to CRNA school a few years later.

Most of the people are getting out d/t the changes it is mostly to do more and more with less attitude. In all my dealings with HPSP CRNAs I have not known one who wasn’t prior enlisted to stay past their original commitment.

When and if the cuts to military medical happens then it will effect every entry/training medical program.

HPSP is also only one way to get your school paid for. You can always sign up for the military as a fully qualified CRNA without HPSP and then you would be eligible for the full multi-year bonuses (up to 50-60K/yr).

You can PM for more detailed information.

ICUNurse32, BSN, RN · Jul 8, 2019

34 minutes ago, wtbcrna said:
I will be retiring in a couple of years. I joined the AF as an ICU nurse and then went to CRNA school a few years later.
Most of the people are getting out d/t the changes it is mostly to do more and more with less attitude. In all my dealings with HPSP CRNAs I have not known one who wasn’t prior enlisted to stay past their original commitment.
When and if the cuts to military medical happens then it will effect every entry/training medical program.
HPSP is also only one way to get your school paid for. You can always sign up for the military as a fully qualified CRNA without HPSP and then you would be eligible for the full multi-year bonuses (up to 50-60K/yr).
You can PM for more detailed information.

I can't PM yet because I have not posted enough or paid the premium membership fee. Being in CRNA school I dont want to spend more money than I have too. I know you understand. Maybe you can PM and I can respond. Not sure.

In the military what is your job schedule when you are not on deployment. Do you moonlight?

I hope I can get it even though I am not prior enlisted. Essentially I want it. I want to serve, I want to practice my trade while doing so. Win win for me. I am just wanting insight from those who are already doing it. 4 scholarships is all the AF has from my knowledge. I have a strong resume, but 4 is a slim number. Makes me think if I want to serve I should try and submit my application to multiple branches.

allnurses Guide · Jul 8, 2019

4 minutes ago, ICUNurse32 said:
I can't PM yet because I have not posted enough or paid the premium membership fee. Being in CRNA school I dont want to spend more money than I have too. I know you understand. Maybe you can PM and I can respond. Not sure.
In the military what is your job schedule when you are not on deployment. Do you moonlight?
I hope I can get it even though I am not prior enlisted. Essentially I want it. I want to serve, I want to practice my trade while doing so. Win win for me. I am just wanting insight from those who are already doing it. 4 scholarships is all the AF has from my knowledge. I have a strong resume, but 4 is a slim number. Makes me think if I want to serve I should try and submit my application to multiple branches.

I have moonlighted as a CRNA, and at most state side bases as a staff CRNA it’s usually fairly easy to moonlight.

The schedule will vary base to base, how many anesthesia providers are out for training/tdys/leave/deployments/maternity leave etc. I have pulled up to 16 days of call in one month state side. The schedule is generally 8-12hr shifts, plus late days and call. There are some AF hospitals that require in house call and some that don’t. It will vary quite a bit from facility to facility.

ICUNurse32, BSN, RN · Jul 8, 2019

1 minute ago, wtbcrna said:
I have moonlighted as a CRNA, and at most state side bases as a staff CRNA it’s usually fairly easy to moonlight.
The schedule will vary base to base, how many anesthesia providers are out for training/tdys/leave/deployments/maternity leave etc. I have pulled up to 16 days of call in one month state side. The schedule is generally 8-12hr shifts, plus late days and call. There are some AF hospitals that require in house call and some that don’t. It will vary quite a bit from facility to facility.

Awesome insight. Day to day life is a crucial part of what I want to know about.

Do you train HPSP CRNAs once they are out of school?

Since you're in the AF, what do you think a committee of AF officers will be looking for in a SRNA wanting the HPSP to be in the military. What, if anything, could help me stand out the most?

Thank you again for all this info.

allnurses Guide · Jul 8, 2019

1 hour ago, ICUNurse32 said:
Awesome insight. Day to day life is a crucial part of what I want to know about.
Do you train HPSP CRNAs once they are out of school?
Since you're in the AF, what do you think a committee of AF officers will be looking for in a SRNA wanting the HPSP to be in the military. What, if anything, could help me stand out the most?
Thank you again for all this info.

HPSP like all new CRNAs typically go through an orientation phase to determine what skills maybe lacking before they can work independently. There will be opportunities to attend civilian CE/CEU training/conferences that the AF will pay for. There is also mandatory trainings in yearly trauma rotations along with having to be certified in ATLS.

I imagine the board is going to look at the quality of references, academic performance, that applicant understands that they will be deployed/are willing to deploy and espouse the ethics of the AF.

Trauma Columnist · Jul 11, 2019

Moved to SRNA forum. Great conversation!

TPN1986, RN · Dec 19, 2019

Responding from my mobile phone so apologies for any spelling error. Im currently considering HSPS versus STRAP, my major concern with the hsps is you’re required to do 45 days of training each year while in school and i really doubt that would be possible. Does anyone have any experience applying for hsps or strap and becoming a CRNA? Im starting school come next year so would really appreciate any info.