Army CRNA

just_cause, BSN, RN · Dec 15, 2008

Hi,
I am an RC, just finished OBLC.... I have a MSN in Public health, and MS (other field), CCRN in Adults and Peds, and am a flight rn.
Older, so you are in the reserves as a nurse - and just started your obligation. Gotcha.
I am looking for some information on the Army CRNA process, and I haven't found it in my Allnurses forum search.....
Does anyone know:
1. Do you have to change from RC to AC for the admission process? What if I don't get in ..... I can see myself as active duty waiting with all the other thousands of applicants? I really love my civilian job right now.....Can my age be waivered in?.....it was ok for rc.
It depends if you are trying to be a CRNA through the Army's CRNA program vs just being a RC nurse and attending schol to be a CRNA.
2. I am interest in the Strap program..... I have contacted a HC nurse recruiter.... waiting..... from what I understand, the Army will not pay for a Second Degree at the same level...i.e. 2nd masters in nursing....not sure how this will work
Correct - one reason I am going to get my BSN instead of an entry level MSN (which was my first thought.. intuitive thought.. but want to have education options later.
3. Currently I don't qualify to apply for APMC (I live close to my Unit). Can I apply to APMC to do the whole CRNA/Strap process of application (I know I have to apply to Northwestern and for Active duty).
4. My gre scores weren't great, but I am in a PhD public health program right now.....I wonder if I should take it again? I have over 90 hrs of graduate credit (different degrees) roughly at gpa 3.7
Once again - if I'm assuming you are talking about the Army's CRNA program.

Thanks for your help..... I Know CRNA is competitive.....any idea of how many applicants to slots available these days?
I recommend going to your AKO log in and then doing a search - they usually have open access and directories that the HC recruiters and branch managers have... also in the new AKO you can try and join 'group' forums and browse the materials.. also do a search in MILPER messages for the CRNA materials and information.. if you search last years and this years you can sometimes gauage when the announcements will come next year. I'd try myself but no longer have AKO access.... sorry!
I bet futurearmyCRNA will read this and provide some good input!
c.

.

reply is in bold.

allnurses Guide · Dec 15, 2008

Check out this link. http://www.dns.amedd.army.mil/crna/ It should answer most of your questions.

olderthandirt2 · Dec 15, 2008

Check out this link. http://www.dns.amedd.army.mil/crna/ It should answer most of your questions.

Hi WTBcrna,

Yes, I actually did look at that site prior to posting, I guess I was hoping for any changes in the program. Still onlly a once a year start.....

I am not sure of the dual application timeline...ie If I apply NOW for AC & CRNA via Northwestern (the crna deadline is Juy 1 2009 for a Fall 2010 start)......there is a huge gap in time (ie Jan 2009-Sept 2010)

and while I know the army application to AC is slow, I know it must be faster than 21 months.....which means I would be AC prior to school starting (and that is assuming I get accepted into CRNA school the first "go-around"---which is a big assumption).

I am still wondering about Strap......

thanks :)

c.

olderthandirt2 · Dec 15, 2008

"...one reason I am going to get my BSN instead of an entry level MSN (which was my first thought.. intuitive thought.. but want to have education options later." Actually, my masters in nursing is not an entry level MSN, but a "regular run of the mill" masters (I was a BSN prior to my MSN), that plus yrs as a BSN is how I was able to come in as a 1Lt

Hi J.C.,

Thanks for your help....I will check out the AKO site forums....I think I need a recruiter at this point! :)

c.

allnurses Guide · Dec 15, 2008

Hi WTBcrna,
Yes, I actually did look at that site prior to posting, I guess I was hoping for any changes in the program. Still onlly a once a year start.....
I am not sure of the dual application timeline...ie If I apply NOW for AC & CRNA via Northwestern (the crna deadline is Juy 1 2009 for a Fall 2010 start)......there is a huge gap in time (ie Jan 2009-Sept 2010)
and while I know the army application to AC is slow, I know it must be faster than 21 months.....which means I would be AC prior to school starting (and that is assuming I get accepted into CRNA school the first "go-around"---which is a big assumption).
I am still wondering about Strap......
thanks :)
c.

Typically you apply to all CRNA schools at least 6-12 mo before anticipated acceptance. The military programs are designed for you to apply the summer before the year you are interested in starting.

My understanding with coming in from the reserves is that you would come on AD right before you go to school not before. I would in general skip the recruiter for now and call the school for more info. Most recruiters are not going to have a clue about this program or how to apply.

http://www.cs.amedd.army.mil/details.aspx?dt=163

olderthandirt2 · Dec 15, 2008

WTBcrna thank you so much for the info.....

Are you in school now?

c.

futrarmyCRNA · Dec 15, 2008

Hi,
I am an RC, just finished OBLC.... I have a MSN in Public health, and MS (other field), CCRN in Adults and Peds, and am a flight rn.
I am looking for some information on the Army CRNA process, and I haven't found it in my Allnurses forum search.....
Does anyone know:
1. Do you have to change from RC to AC for the admission process? What if I don't get in ..... I can see myself as active duty waiting with all the other thousands of applicants? I really love my civilian job right now.....Can my age be waivered in?.....it was ok for rc.
2. I am interest in the Strap program..... I have contacted a HC nurse recruiter.... waiting..... from what I understand, the Army will not pay for a Second Degree at the same level...i.e. 2nd masters in nursing....not sure how this will work
3. Currently I don't qualify to apply for APMC (I live close to my Unit). Can I apply to APMC to do the whole CRNA/Strap process of application (I know I have to apply to Northwestern and for Active duty).
4. My gre scores weren't great, but I am in a PhD public health program right now.....I wonder if I should take it again? I have over 90 hrs of graduate credit (different degrees) roughly at gpa 3.7
Thanks for your help..... I Know CRNA is competitive.....any idea of how many applicants to slots available these days?
c.

I just went thru the process and can help if you want to contact me.

1. If you want to get into the active duty USAGPAN school then yes...you have to apply for active duty, a whole separate commission procedure. You can turn it down if you get accepted for active duty commission but don't get into the school. But if you turn down active duty, you must wait one year to reapply (which you would anyway for CRNA school). Age can be waivered. I am 41 and will start June 2009 class. I could not find a limit but was told by a friend in the school that 45 was the limit.

2. I do not think you can do multiple STRAPs (if you used it before), don't know for sure. But you owe 2 for 1 and if you do. I did STRAP for ASN to BSN and they offer it for MSN including CRNA. You pay for school yourself and get a stipend.

3. STRAP is for reserves only, not active duty (STRAP pays a stipend of 1600 a month in exchange for reserve time afterwards). Active duty use a different funding for CRNA, either USAGPAN or USHUS. It's Northeastern University out of Boston that accredits the army active program. If you do the reserves STRAP you should be placed in the APMC and now I don't think you are supposed to drill if in STRAP. They keep changing the rules.

4. GRE of over 1000/3.5 and GPA over 3.0 is minimum but this year and next the army is short of CRNA's. Now is the time to apply. It is competitive but if you have decent GRE and GPA with good experience and good interview, you should do fine. I think there is close to 50 or 60 slots in each class (4 or 5 for VA and same for AF out of those, the rest army). They are still in process of filling slots for June 2009 slots for Army. Only about 8% of graduates re-enlist after their payback time.

keith mc

olderthandirt2 · Dec 15, 2008

I just went thru the process and can help if you want to contact me.
1. If you want to get into the active duty USAGPAN school then yes...you have to apply for active duty, a whole separate commission procedure. You can turn it down if you get accepted for active duty commission but don't get into the school. But if you turn down active duty, you must wait one year to reapply (which you would anyway for CRNA school). Age can be waivered. I am 41 and will start June 2009 class. I could not find a limit but was told by a friend in the school that 45 was the limit. Is that age limit (45) the ARMY school limit or Northwestern?
2. I do not think you can do multiple STRAPs (if you used it before), don't know for sure. But you owe 2 for 1 and if you do. I did STRAP for ASN to BSN and they offer it for MSN including CRNA. You pay for school yourself and get a stipend. This would be my first "STRAP", but second MSN....
3. STRAP is for reserves only, not active duty (STRAP pays a stipend of 1600 a month in exchange for reserve time afterwards). Active duty use a different funding for CRNA, either USAGPAN or USHUS. It's Northeastern University out of Boston that accredits the army active program. If you do the reserves STRAP you should be placed in the APMC and now I don't think you are supposed to drill if in STRAP. They keep changing the rules.
4. GRE of over 1000/3.5 and GPA over 3.0 is minimum but this year and next the army is short of CRNA's. Now is the time to apply. It is competitive but if you have decent GRE and GPA with good experience and good interview, you should do fine. I think there is close to 50 or 60 slots in each class (4 or 5 for VA and same for AF out of those, the rest army). They are still in process of filling slots for June 2009 slots for Army. Only about 8% of graduates re-enlist after their payback time. My worry is the GRE.....I will have to retake the GRE.... my writing was good , but I am going to need Kaplan/or Princeton review. My GPA for graduate work (90 credit hours) is roughly 3.7. Experience wise, I am a critical care flight rn....doing procedures without the good pay! :)
keith mc

OMG K.,

Thank you so much!!! This is really helpful. I have not used the Strap program before....all my education is on my own dime (and I have spent ALOT of it :)....

I am concerned about the age & the fact that this will be my 2nd Masters in Nursing.....Not sure the Army will fund a 2nd degree (at the same level), in which case, I will have to fund it myself (civilian school) and use SLRP, and tuition reimbursement (a route I would rather not go, because Army CRNA programs are highly regarded).

So, I guess I will make some phone calls today.....

Thank you again, I will undoubtably be posting more questions later....

cindy

allnurses Guide · Dec 15, 2008

WTBcrna thank you so much for the info.....
Are you in school now?
c.

I'm in my last year of school. I did my didactic at USUHS and now I am doing my clinicals at NNMC in Bethesda, MD.

twoods2332 · Dec 19, 2008

Wow this post is a wealth of information. I am in the process of applying for 6/2010 class. You are correct about the deadline being 1 July. I will be deploying with Air National Guard and not back in time to apply. I will have to apply early maybe next month. FutrarmyCRNA is a great resource. Thanks for all the information. Good luck.

olderthandirt2 · Dec 21, 2008

I'm in my last year of school. I did my didactic at USUHS and now I am doing my clinicals at NNMC in Bethesda, MD.

Hi WTBCRNA,

Congratulations for being in your last year! That is an accomplishemt:)

I just "scrambled around" and applied to the USAGPAN/LTHET, NU and USUHS. I guess they have 2 more boards this year (Jan and March). Whew, I am exhausted. Now I have to cram for the GRE---I would rather have knitting needles shoved through my eyes than take that test again.....

Hey I know you are busy, a quick question..... I have an interview with a "Phase 2" Director of Anesthesia at Madigan Jan.6th. How did your interview go? I have no idea what it will be like. Did they ask you about hemodynamic, ie drip rates, scenarios, ventilation, etc. (I only ask that because "that is the sort of questions I was asked", on my flight team interviews.....and I didn't expect it!).

Thank you for your time!!!

p.s. this "new website look" is really throwing me off!

C.