Back to the drawing board (Army nursing options)

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Hello again to all the long-standing and new members. It has been quite a while since I last posted. For those of you who may remember, I applied to the ANCP last year for my senior year of nursing school, however, after going through the whole process and sending my packet up to be reviewed, I was informed that I was too old for that program (I am now 41 with 6 years active duty prior service)... bummed out.

Anyway, life goes on... I am now graduated with my BSN, I have taken and passed my NCLEX, and am in orientation on the neuro/surgical ICU at a local level I trauma center.

However, I have still not lost my desire to serve again in the Army. The last time I spoke with my recruiter (Nov. of 2011) I was told that the Nurse Corps was no longer accepting new Grad. nurses at that time, but that if I gained a year of experience, then I would be considered for appointment.

So here I am, looking at options again for returning to military service as a Nurse Corps Officer. So I have a few questions that I though some of you may be able to give insight on, before I talk to my recruiter again.

1. Is the Nurse Corps still full, and are they accepting very many applicants? (I am looking at a commission in 2013-14, so I would have over a year of ICU experience at that time).

2. I am also on track (still need to take an Orgo class and the GRE) to apply for CRNA School, and what better than the Army's, right? So, I would be interested to hear from anyone who has recently direct commissioned into the Army's CRNA program, and how that experience has been for them.

3. I thought I read somewhere that the Army CRNA school has (or will) moved to Ft. Bliss (El Paso, TX)...is this correct, or is it still at Bathesda, MD?

4. any advice on what and when I should begin prepairing for commission application. I had a full packet a year ago, but I know I will have to redo almost all of again it this time around... Love the MEPS! ;P

Thanks in advance for your input and advice,

LA40

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Your best bet is to speak with a health care recruiter.

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Nother option is to talk to a oficer Health Care recruiter in the Navy. They have the best program in my opinion at $75k up front with an additional $2000 per month stipend while in school. There cut of is 41 for the reserves and 35 for active so you should be ok for the reserves if you submit your package soon. They open up applications for review August 1st each year so you want to be first. Hope this helps and good luck.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Last I heard, the Army was still wanting two years of experience to come in as a direct commission. Granted, we all know how quickly things change! LOL. I think your idea to apply to the CRNA program is a good one. Another allnurses member who posted in the Gov/Mil forum recently is in the first part of USAGPAN -- chudder is the user name. According to the USAGPAN site, you need a year of acute care: Home - USAGPAN -- sounds like that would work for you!! Good luck. :)

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Specializes in SICU.

Yeah, word is that you need 2 years experience to put in a packet for the Nurse Corps.

For USAGPAN you will need 1 year in the ICU, minimum. I'm not sure whether you need a year by the time you put in your packet or when BOLC starts. I'd give MAJ Bentley a call and ask for his advice.

The commissioning process is long, sometimes confusing and sometimes frustrating..... but it's worth it to be in school here.. !!

Review the minimum requirements at USAGPAN and start working toward them. Study for your GRE and get it out of the way. Take grad-level classes if you need to bump your GPA up. If your recruiter is not a health care recruiter, get with a health care recruiter instead.

In the meantime, focus on becoming a safe, competent ICU nurse. Give all the time and energy you can to your unit. They're investing a lot in you, so be sure to invest a lot in them. Get your CCRN when you have worked 1750 hours.

USAGPAN is a Ft Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX. First 12 months are didactic and simulation. The next 24 months are clinical, spent at one of many Phase 2 sites across the country. See the web site for more info. Ft. Bliss is one of the clinical sites. Bethesda is not. The program is 36 months long and you will earn a DNP... and 5 years payback :)

Good luck!

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Thanks for all the input. I have been through the hoops of submitting my commissioning packet once already, so I understand the frustration and waiting involved there. I plan to work a year on my my unit before I submit my packet anyway, because this is a teaching hospital and they have a great nurse residency program for new grads, and tailored training for my ICU unit.

My GPA is good (3.96 at graduation), but I do need to start studying for the GRE. And as, stated earlier I need an Organic Chem class. My unit will pay for my TNCC and CCRN, as I become eligible.

I was thinking to come in as a CC Nurse, but if the requirements are 2 years, then CRNA may be a better option for me, as I was considering that avenue in a year or two anyway.

If applying to the CRNA program as a civilian, would I go to BOLC before or after school?

Thanks again for the info.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

You would go to BOLC before. We had a group of people who were getting ready to go to USAGPAN in my BOLC class last year.

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Do you know if the three years spent in school count toward time in grade/ time in service? I am pushing that cut off age limit and the additional three years of school might be a catch if they do not count toward time in service for retirement (I understand they will not count for my 5 years service obligation). My six years prior service gives me a little leeway.

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Specializes in SICU.
Do you know if the three years spent in school count toward time in grade/ time in service? I am pushing that cut off age limit and the additional three years of school might be a catch if they do not count toward time in service for retirement (I understand they will not count for my 5 years service obligation). My six years prior service gives me a little leeway.

Your 3 years counts. You are AD while in school.

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