Any active duty Air Force CRNA's?

Published

I am considering joining the active duty Air Force, using the HPSP to pay for school. I am prior service AF reserve and love it. I have heard negative experiences from my AD nurse corp friends. So, I am wondering,

1. Do CRNA's fall under the NC(nurse Corp) still?

2. How is the actual work schedule? Panama?

3. Is moonlighting allowed?

4. How is the scope of practice actually work. I have heard that in AF MTF's you have more freedom, but most of the time we would work in Army MTF's and follow their rules?

Thanks to anyone who could help

WTBcrna-

My ultimate goal is to be a NA on an Air Force Special Operations Surgical team. I was wondering if you could tell me how one would get selected. I have scowered the internet and could find very little infomation. I have also found articles that mentioned the team uses MDA's instead of NA's. I was wondering if you could shed some light on the subject for me. Thank you for your time!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Anesthesia.

The USAF does have NAs assigned to special operations teams. The USAF will send out opening notices to all CRNAs when one of these positions comes open then any eligible CRNA can apply for it. I don't know a lot about the job myself, but one of the guys I went to NA school with did it for a few years.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

wtbcrna- I too would like to attach to a special operations team if I were to join. I also searched the internet with little information. Would you happen to have any advice where to gain some info? Or possibly some one to contact? I have a lot of information I would like to gather, but searches have come up somewhat empty. Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Anesthesia.

The AF CRNAs that work with special operations apply for those positions after they are already in the AF as CRNAs. There is an interview process and entirely different set of physical fitness standards that you have to pass. Then once all of that is done then there is multiple trainings that you have to attend prior to deploying with the special operations team.

This is one of the programs that most healthcare recruiters will know little about. To the best of my knowledge there is very little information online about the program.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hey wtbcrna, Im a nursing student applying for the AF NTP! Any chance I would be able to email you? I unfortunately am new on allnurses and it wont let me send personal messages but I had a question about a previous post of your! thank you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It looks like this thread has been stretched over a couple years, I'm hoping someone with knowledge can still answer some questions I have.

When you join and are accepted for the HPSP, do you go to a certain CRNA school? Or can you go to the one you choose? I'm interested in the one local to me right now.

to clarify, I am hoping to be part of the Air Force.

thanks in advance :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Anesthesia.
It looks like this thread has been stretched over a couple years, I'm hoping someone with knowledge can still answer some questions I have.

When you join and are accepted for the HPSP, do you go to a certain CRNA school? Or can you go to the one you choose? I'm interested in the one local to me right now.

to clarify, I am hoping to be part of the Air Force.

thanks in advance :)

To my knowledge even accredited CRNA program that is full time will work. I would steer clear of any program that is not regionally accredited or doesn't have a good regional or independent CRNA rotation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you so much! (As well as for a fast reply!) It has always been my desire and goal to serve. I have touched base with recruiters as I worked through my BSN and am now getting critical care experience. My initial plan was to apply as a critical care nurse. As I am learning more, I am interested in the CRNA route as well. I was a little confused about the discussion here between military school verses civilian. I would not be opposed to either and I'm sure military would be excellent. The main reason I asked is in considering how soon I would need to relocate (I have a daughter in high school). I'm very much looking forward to travel including deployments when that time comes :)

After I take my CCRN certification, I'll contact a recruiter again and look into this!

A couple more questions if you don't mind...

1. I am about to turn 36 years old. From what I've read, I may be too old for the HPSP. Do you know?

2. Do you know if I am suppose to apply and be accepted into school first.... Or if I am to apply to the Air Force and be accepted with the HPSP first? Above all else, I really want to serve.. rather by RN or CRNA.

Thanks again for your time!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Anesthesia.
Thank you so much! (As well as for a fast reply!) It has always been my desire and goal to serve. I have touched base with recruiters as I worked through my BSN and am now getting critical care experience. My initial plan was to apply as a critical care nurse. As I am learning more, I am interested in the CRNA route as well. I was a little confused about the discussion here between military school verses civilian. I would not be opposed to either and I'm sure military would be excellent. The main reason I asked is in considering how soon I would need to relocate (I have a daughter in high school). I'm very much looking forward to travel including deployments when that time comes :)

After I take my CCRN certification, I'll contact a recruiter again and look into this!

A couple more questions if you don't mind...

1. I am about to turn 36 years old. From what I've read, I may be too old for the HPSP. Do you know?

2. Do you know if I am suppose to apply and be accepted into school first.... Or if I am to apply to the Air Force and be accepted with the HPSP first? Above all else, I really want to serve.. rather by RN or CRNA.

Thanks again for your time!

1. I think the limit for entry into USAF without a waiver is 41.

2. You have to be accepted to school first, but you should talk to healthcare recruiter prior to that to see if there is anything that might disqualify you or any procedural items that you need to know.

3. The USAF also has direct entry program for CRNA school at USUHS. You would go to school while on active duty versus HPSP.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I mildly curious. I am a current CW2 Blackhawk driver for the army who was just accepted into two CRNA schools. Are there any provisions to go to a military CRNA school for the reserves on active duty orders, or will I be required to go to a civilian school then transfer branches?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Anesthesia.
I mildly curious. I am a current CW2 Blackhawk driver for the army who was just accepted into two CRNA schools. Are there any provisions to go to a military CRNA school for the reserves on active duty orders, or will I be required to go to a civilian school then transfer branches?

In order for you to goto USUHS, where all the USAF AD SRNAs go, you would have to be on Active duty with the USAF. I don't know of any provision that allows reservists to switch to AD and goto NA school while on AD in the USAF. The Army does have a program for reservists to allow them to goto the NA program in San Antonio.

The USAF does have a direct entry program into NA now for civilians so if you have already separated then you could apply to that program.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion