Army CRNA grad program

ASOLDIERNURSE · May 1, 2006

A little more infoormation on my situation and thinking. I am prior service( active army 6yrs.), 32y/o with 1.5yrs. experience in a level I trauma center ICU(charge RN for the unit for last 6mos), ccrn exam in august2006, and completion of BSN in 05/07, GPA 3.4, ACLS, BLS, and soon to be ACLS instructor. My goals are to take a direct commission into the reserves 06/06 through the strap program and start my process to become active in 01/07( hopefully fullfilling that goal by 06/07). I would like to get into the AMEDD graduate program for CRNA, but even after obtaining 500/500/3.5 on future GRE score(Ever optimistic), I will still be w/o organic chem/biochem. I could eventually get coorifice, but timeline would alter significantly. Family and finances play a major role in this decision making, but I know my future is with the ANC. Thanks in advance for any advice and I look forward to the future.

ANC_Maj · May 1, 2006

I've not known the o-chem or biochem requirement to be waiverable. It is to your advantage to take either course (USUHS prefers o-chem) as it will assist you in understanding the complex pharm and physiologic principles necessary to be an anesthesia provider. I believe you do not have to have completed the course at the time of application - but you must demonstrate that you are enrolled and are in the process of completing the requirement. You may wish to cross post (if you haven't already!) your question to the pre-CRNA board. There are several military CRNA students and graduates that frequent that area. Corvette Guy and Wtbcrna are excellent resources that hang around here as well.

It sounds like all of your other credentials are solid - however make sure you shoot for more than the minimum qualifying scores (500/500/3.5) on the GRE to make your packet stronger. I've heard anecdotally that it is slightly easier to get accepted from Active Duty rather than as a civilian direct accession or USAR.

Best of luck to you and congratulations on your decision to join the ANC!

ANC_Maj

macanes, BSN, MSN, DNP, CRNA · May 8, 2006

I will still be w/o organic chem/biochem. I could eventually get coorifice, but timeline would alter significantly. Family and finances play a major role in this decision making, but I know my future is with the ANC. Thanks in advance for any advice and I look forward to the future.

When I went through -- doesn't seem like that long ago, class 02-97 -- the only waiverable courses were a grad-level statistics, nursing theory, annnnnd, ahh, research theory?? (can't remember that last).

You do need biochem to get to the program (again, things might have changed, but I doubt the rationale is less valid), but they do want you to have their biochem class . . . and you do want to take it because it is tailored to anesthesia. You get only the wheat, not the chaff.

Unfortunately, the fabulous Mr. Foulds has retired from teaching the class (I believe he taught the Mercury astronauts 8), but I'm hopeful they have someone very capable in his stead.

Good luck. The USGPAN is definitely the way to go.

Z

sandman1914 · May 12, 2006

Does anyone know if the organic chem/ biochem requirement is waiverable.

I will start the Army program next month and I can tell you for certain the course is not waiverable. From what I have been told, it is in your best interest to take biochem prior to starting any CRNA program. I will know for certain very soon.

pezcador · May 18, 2006

I'm currently waiting to start the program this june. Best of my knowledge the O/Bio-chem is not waiverable, but you can take an online or distance learning class. Two of my classmates did just that. One is taking a correspondance O-chem, she takes her tests at the post education center. Another guy took an online biochem at kckcc.edu (community college in KC, MO). Neither class had a lab and the program accepted them both.

it took me three years to get in. I kept having to drop O-chem for deployments.