Availability of CRNA oportunities in military nursing

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Specializes in SICU, Med/Surg, Informatics.

Hi all, I am prior enlisted Coast Guard looking at finishing a BSN at the end of summer 2010. I have been a civilian RN (ADN) for 4 years now and I am thinking of going back to the military. I hear great things about the slots for CRNA and nurse practitioner once you are in, but like I said, I am prior service and I know things look different from the inside. So what is the true picture of going for an advanced degree once you are in service. Thanks for any information.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
Hi all, I am prior enlisted Coast Guard looking at finishing a BSN at the end of summer 2010. I have been a civilian RN (ADN) for 4 years now and I am thinking of going back to the military. I hear great things about the slots for CRNA and nurse practitioner once you are in, but like I said, I am prior service and I know things look different from the inside. So what is the true picture of going for an advanced degree once you are in service. Thanks for any information.

All the services offer opportunities for CRNA school. The two military schools are in Bethesda Maryland (USUHS--where I just graduated last month) and the Ft Sam Houston program in San Antonio Texas. Both are considered great programs. It is a lot paperwork, as with everything in the military, but it is relatively straight forward process to apply to nurse anesthesia school. All the branches require a certain amount of TOS before you can apply to school if you are already in the service. The Army allows direct entry civilian applicants into their program, but direct entry applicants have some of the highest drop rates.

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Specializes in ICU- adults, Flight RN peds/neo.
All the services offer opportunities for CRNA school. The two military schools are in Bethesda Maryland (USUHS--where I just graduated last month) and the Ft Sam Houston program in San Antonio Texas. Both are considered great programs. It is a lot paperwork, as with everything in the military, but it is relatively straight forward process to apply to nurse anesthesia school. All the branches require a certain amount of TOS before you can apply to school if you are already in the service. The Army allows direct entry civilian applicants into their program, but direct entry applicants have some of the highest drop rates.

WTB,

You need to change your signon, aren't you Legal now?!!

I'd like to see the data on that "highest drop rate"...... 2 people that just left our program were both NON-direct commissions......(USAGPAN). Sad to see them leave :(

h60avtrn,

I'm in the Army CRNA program, phase I at FT Sam. I suggest you look at:

http://www.military-medical-technology.com/mmt-archives/158-mmt-2007-volume-11-issue-4/1389-usagpan.html

http://www.anesthesia.med.va.gov/docs/USAGPAN_Flyer_Color_020708-1.pdf

http://www.dns.amedd.army.mil/crna/ click on civilian/direct commission (they have multiple board selections a yr).

Also, there is a "military forum at another website" for nurse anesthetists. Try googling nurse anesthesia and you will find the website for it (then go to military forum, there is a TON of information there on both programs....both wtbcrna and I have posts there!)

good luck!!!!

c.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
WTB,

You need to change your signon, aren't you Legal now?!!

I'd like to see the data on that "highest drop rate"...... 2 people that just left our program were both NON-direct commissions......(USAGPAN). Sad to see them leave :(

h60avtrn,

I'm in the Army CRNA program, phase I at FT Sam. I suggest you look at:

http://www.military-medical-technology.com/mmt-archives/158-mmt-2007-volume-11-issue-4/1389-usagpan.html

http://www.anesthesia.med.va.gov/docs/USAGPAN_Flyer_Color_020708-1.pdf

http://www.dns.amedd.army.mil/crna/ click on civilian/direct commission (they have multiple board selections a yr).

Also, there is a "military forum at another website" for nurse anesthetists. Try googling nurse anesthesia and you will find the website for it (then go to military forum, there is a TON of information there on both programs....both wtbcrna and I have posts there!)

good luck!!!!

c.

That was a direct quote from Col Garrett when she came and applied for a job at USUHS right before she retired. We had asked her about the rumored drop out rate at the Army program and she had said that historically the highest drop out rates came from the direct accession students. I figured the ex-program director at Ft Sam should know what she is talking about....lol

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

I am legal these days, but still don't start work till the 20th of this month and who knows when I will get to tube someone again. I might just go into withdrawls not having intubated someone in a couple of months.:lol2: I guess I will just have to endure playing in the snow and exploring around Anchorage for now, and just think I still get paid for hanging out here in Alaska.

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Specializes in ICU- adults, Flight RN peds/neo.
I am legal these days, but still don't start work till the 20th of this month and who knows when I will get to tube someone again. I might just go into withdrawls not having intubated someone in a couple of months.:lol2: I guess I will just have to endure playing in the snow and exploring around Anchorage for now, and just think I still get paid for hanging out here in Alaska.

Honestly, it does sound like a "difficult existance", no stressing over airways.....no bronchospasms, no fretting over emergence.....getting paid to sleep in........hummmmm, unbearable..... :)

congrats again on a job well done over the last few years!!!!

c.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
Honestly, it does sound like a "difficult existance", no stressing over airways.....no bronchospasms, no fretting over emergence.....getting paid to sleep in........hummmmm, unbearable..... :)

congrats again on a job well done over the last few years!!!!

c.

Take it one day at a time and you will be there before you know it. Send me your email sometime and I will send you my care plan bank and some other references.

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