Becoming an FNP through the military

[chul_soo]

I've been reading as many of these threads as possible but non of them answer the question of how the military sends active duty personnel through FNP school. Another thread said that you have to be in for about 4 years before they consider you. is this true? are there any RN's that came in active duty and then had them (the military) send you the NP school? I've found information about the CRNA programs but nothing else.

I'm considering joining the army, but if AF, Navy, or PHS has something better to offer (ie: huge bonus, guarantee NP school, etc...) I'll definitely get on board. I haven't talked to any AMEDD recruiters since I'm in my 1st semester of nursing school. 3 more to go!!

I'm a prior service army medic that serviced 4 years and some change. When I get back in I'm expecting O-1E pay w/ 4 years, which is more pay than what a BSN would make straight out of school (at least in DC). I've heard of people saying just go through FNP school yourself and then join up after... I would I was single w/ no kids, but now I'm a father and have bills to pay, I'd rather get paid as an O-something + BAH + BAS + cola than starving wife and kid.

1. Does anyone know where I can find information on how to become an FNP through the military?

2. Has anyone gone in as an RN and have the military send you to FNP school? Plz share your experience~!

3. What should I do to stand out to get selected for FNP school?

- I heard letters of recommendations are very important

- graduate w/ GPA 3.0 or higher

- GRE needed? if so, what's an acceptable score?

4. What are your obligations after you graduate?

[wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

kinda off topic, do DNP make more money than FNP(MSN) in the civilian section.

Nope. The only entity that makes more money off the DNP is the universities.

[chul_soo]

so... if u want to be a 66P in the army starting 2013, u need ur DNP? or can you still get ur FNP yourself via MSN?

[wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

so... if u want to be a 66P in the army starting 2013, u need ur DNP? or can you still get ur FNP yourself via MSN?

No one has mentioned making the MSN APNs go back and get their DPN or requiring your DNP if you already hold your MSN prior to 2015 for non CRNAs or 2025 for CRNAs.

[Kathyporter]

No one will have to go back. If you have a MSN you will be grandfathered in, but it will be what new APNs need to be certified.

[wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

No one will have to go back. If you have a MSN you will be grandfathered in, but it will be what new APNs need to be certified.

Not necessarily true for military APNs point in fact the military required all CRNAs to upgrade to a Masters Degree when the requirement changed from Bachelors to Masters, but so far I have not heard a definite answer for military APNs on this matter yet.

One thing for sure you don't want to have only a Masters degree when you go up for promotion when all of your peers have Doctoral degrees.

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

You can use your TA which is guaranteed and go to school part-time either traditional in class or online. You can do your clinical's on your days off at your military hospital. By the time your initial contract is up you could be either finished or have almost finished your Master's as a Nurse Practitioner. Most part-time programs are 3 or 4 years which is the length of your first contract. This is my own personal plan. I am going to be stationed at Fort Bragg and will attend Duke's online program and complete my clinical's on my days off at Womack.

How did you get them to pay for Duke? I'm a Duke alumni and really don't want to go anywhere else and I've been told the $60K price tag is too steep if there are equal in-state programs which are cheaper. And if you use TA, you'll owe them 2 years after the date of your last class.

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

Nope. The only entity that makes more money off the DNP is the universities.

..unless that DNP gets you a clinical director position, in which case your pay in the civilian sector will skyrocket. Also, universities pay DNPs more than MSNs - I've been told this by a DNP who works for Duke.