Army CRNA Expectations

allnurses Guide · Sep 10, 2016

Hello, I am trying to track down some real life information from current Army CRNAs. What I am trying to figure out is what to expect. I have 5 years CCU experience, and 9 years prior Army service. I have seen many different posts that have conflicting information regarding just about everything. So here are my specific questions:
1) Will I be paid during school, and if so at what rank? Will I be able to get a promotion during school, or shortly thereafter?
2) Will the time spent in school count towards my time in service (not my incurred obligation).
3) What is the classroom environment like? The clinical environment?
4) How many hours of clinical training will I receive?
I know that is probably a lot to answer on your part, but ANY information will help as long as it is fairly current.
Thanks!

I am USAF, but I can answer some of your questions.

There are 3 different options for the Army to pay/help pay for NA school. They are HPSP, USAGPAN, and loan repayments. HPSP you go to a civilian school and the Army pays the tuition and a monthly stipend. Your time does not count towards active-duty, and you owe 1year for every year of HPSP you partake in with a mimunum of a year (i.e. 1yr 3mo would be 2yr commitment.).

USAGPAN is an active duty Army program and you would be on active duty with full pay and benefits. The school is 3 years with a 5 year payback.

The loan repayment is for CRNAs that didn't partake in either program and choose the loan repayment option. I don't think you can get the loan repayment and the multi-year CRNA bonus at the same time.

2. Only USAGPAN counts towards retirement/time in service.

3. I only have vague notion of either one of these since I didn't go to USAGPAN.

4. About 20+ months of full-time clinical training.

I assume that you are considering the USAGPAN program, but the USAF also has a direct-entry NA program through USUHS.

rawz2014, APRN, CRNA · Sep 24, 2016

I am in crna school right now with graduation in 2018. I have always wanted to serve my country. Previously I was told that was not possible cause I'm blind in one eye. ( I was born like that so well compensated, you can't tell I'm blind in one eye without me telling you. I played sports, etc) will me having crna change anything? ( I know it's a long shot, but no harm in asking, right?) I didn't know if the need for crna' was great enough that I might get exceptiom

bscri4821 · Nov 17, 2016

I appreciate the response. Good information. Follow up question: Does the USAGPAN have a high attrition rate? Reading the stats online makes it seem like there isn't too much turnover, but word of mouth has me concerned about the learning environment. Also, what happens after you graduate? I know you didn't do the USAGPAN, but I was hoping to get ANY sort of information.

Thanks again.

bscri4821 · Nov 17, 2016

Having served previously, I know that they will not accept you for service. I may be wrong on that as the military is changing very quickly of late. Your best option will be to talk to a recruiter.

bscri4821 · Nov 29, 2016

I was looking at the USU program, and it looks like I would need to be a "Sponsored" applicant. How do I get sponsored?

allnurses Guide · Nov 29, 2016

I was looking at the USU program, and it looks like I would need to be a "Sponsored" applicant. How do I get sponsored?

You go through a healthcare recruiter. The program is only for active duty. You can do direct accession through the USAF for USUHS, but all the services send students to USUHS.