Air Force HPSP DNP

[gypsy26]

I am in the process of applying for the HPSP for the Air Force. I was accepted to a Family Health DNP program and I know some information. For example, there is a stipend but I don't know how much. I know my obligation is 36 months and 45 days and the 45 days is spent after graduation at Maxwell AFB in Alabama. Does anyone know if there is a way to do clinical hours on a military base or have a military preceptor? Is it hard to change jobs? (Both between specialities like women's health and family practice and to a completely different career field). How does selection for specialities work? Everyone tells me to contact my recruiter but she is of little help because she doesn't know much about nursing or about an officer wanting to change jobs, and almost no one knows about HPSP or how it works.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

Welcome

Moved to the Government/Military forum for more appropriate responses

[gypsy26]

Thanks!

[jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA]

The Air Force is paying for you to become an FNP. That is where they will expect you to practice for your first 2 years minimum. All the programs that I have ever seen require 2 years of time on station. Retraining is at the mercy of the needs of the AF, and that means it may take a while. I have not personally heard of an APRN changing specialties in the AF. What I have seen is that the FNPs typically stay in the family health clinic and the Peds NPs stay in the pediatric health clinic, etc. It's not as fluid of a situation as civilian practice, where you can generally go anywhere with an FNP background.

Ask your recruiter to put you in touch with a chief nurse. That person will know the current availability of re-training opportunities.

[gypsy26]

Do you know how long the reserves requirement is for an HPSP NP? (After you leave active duty).

[jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA]

I don't know for sure, but most contracts are 8 total years. If you owe 4 years active then you owe an additional 4 years reserve. A 6 year active contract generally has 2 years of reserve. You can do those 4 years (or 2) reserve as inactive ready reserve. That means you don't have any routine commitments to the military (or pay) during that time, but they can call you up in the event of a crisis. Of course, you can also drill with a local reserve unit too (I think 1 weekend per month and 2 weeks per year).

[gypsy26]

Thanks!

[msNP77]

Hi, Gypsy26,

Did you get accepted into the HPSP program? I am finishing up my last year in the DNP program. I received the scholarship and wanted to know how things are working out for you thus far. Thanks.

Sylvia