Air Force nursing/CRNA

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Specializes in Open Heart.

I recently completed my BSN and I was hired to work on the open heart unit of a pretty big hospital. They gave me money for school and I owe them a year of service in return. My ultimate goal is to become a CRNA and I am seriously considering the Air Force as a means to reach that goal.

Since I will be working on a unit that will give me a lot of experience with drips, vents, and heavy duty drugs, will I be attractive to the Air Force when it comes time to talk to a recruiter? I also have another bachelors degree in criminal justice and I was a parole officer for 7 years, so I have a lot of life and professional experience. Would that help me?

I am going to talk to a recruiter this week, but any information you guys can give would be greatly appreciated.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
I recently completed my BSN and I was hired to work on the open heart unit of a pretty big hospital. They gave me money for school and I owe them a year of service in return. My ultimate goal is to become a CRNA and I am seriously considering the Air Force as a means to reach that goal.

Since I will be working on a unit that will give me a lot of experience with drips, vents, and heavy duty drugs, will I be attractive to the Air Force when it comes time to talk to a recruiter? I also have another bachelors degree in criminal justice and I was a parole officer for 7 years, so I have a lot of life and professional experience. Would that help me?

I am going to talk to a recruiter this week, but any information you guys can give would be greatly appreciated.

My suggestion is to finish a full year in the ICU before coming into the AF. Also, see some of my other posts I posted this year's requirements for CRNA school with the AF. Your other requirements are nice, but the AF pretty much just cares about your BSN and your RN experience.

FYI: You can also apply directly to nurse anesthesia school with Army.

Capt E, USAF, SRNA

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Specializes in Open Heart.
My suggestion is to finish a full year in the ICU before coming into the AF. Also, see some of my other posts I posted this year's requirements for CRNA school with the AF. Your other requirements are nice, but the AF pretty much just cares about your BSN and your RN experience.

FYI: You can also apply directly to nurse anesthesia school with Army.

Capt E, USAF, SRNA

Thanks for the information. So, you are currently in school? Did you find the process of getting into the CRNA program to be difficult?

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
Thanks for the information. So, you are currently in school? Did you find the process of getting into the CRNA program to be difficult?

Getting into school is a pain! You really need to wait until you have one year experience as an ICU nurse before coming into the AF if you want to go to AF nurse anesthesia school. That way you can come with your with speciality identifier in ICU and stay working in the ICU.

Check out some of my other posts I have written quite a bit on this subject.

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Specializes in Open Heart.
Getting into school is a pain! You really need to wait until you have one year experience as an ICU nurse before coming into the AF if you want to go to AF nurse anesthesia school. That way you can come with your with speciality identifier in ICU and stay working in the ICU.

Check out some of my other posts I have written quite a bit on this subject.

I will definitely check out your other posts. It's nice to have a resource such as you to answer my questions. How long were you in the Air Force before you started anesthesia school?

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
I will definitely check out your other posts. It's nice to have a resource such as you to answer my questions. How long were you in the Air Force before you started anesthesia school?

I was in just a little over 5yrs before I got accepted into anesthesia school. The AF wants you to be for at least 3yrs before you go to school. My time is probably about average to a little on the low side compared with my other classmates this year, but every class is different.

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Specializes in Open Heart.
I was in just a little over 5yrs before I got accepted into anesthesia school. The AF wants you to be for at least 3yrs before you go to school. My time is probably about average to a little on the low side compared with my other classmates this year, but every class is different.

Wow, that's a lot longer than I expected!

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
Wow, that's a lot longer than I expected!

lol....That's why I mentioned the Army direct entry program.

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