Commissioning as a CRNA in AF

Dreaming1007 · Jun 23, 2014

You'll come in as a Capt most likely

jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA · Jun 23, 2014

I hate to sound like a jerk, but it seems way too common to see brand new nursing students already contemplating their future CRNA careers. It's like listening to a room full of undergrad college freshmen, 40% of whom are already window shopping for that S class Mercedes for when they get out of med school. One step at a time, people.

To answer your question, it depends on your level of experience and degree. If you have a couple of years of experience and an MSN, then you will likely enter as a Captain=O3. You generally get 50% of your nursing experience plus some extra for degrees beyond a bachelor's. I'm not too sure if your RN experience will count as well, but it might. As a brand new MSN-trained CRNA with only a year or two of RN experience, it is possible that you may only enter as a 1st LT=O2.

You probably just want to do the CNRA/DNP and get it over with. It might be harder to join the military as a CRNA without a DNP in the future.

AbbyVee · Jun 23, 2014

Okay. I am not set on CRNA, I just know I want to get an advanced degree in nursing and CRNA sounded like the most interesting. I was also looking into DNP in Midwifery or a Nurse Practitioner. I also miss the service...So it seems like the best thing to do would be to get an advanced degree (which I hope to do) and then work for a little while then hopefully join as a O-3. Thanks!