CRNA program for VA employees

[2ndChance]

Hello, All.

I am fairly new to the VA system, and am loving my MICU so far! I am not a vet but my father is and I grew up knowing how important it is to respect the military. I really enjoy and consider it an honor to take care of the patients. I recently learned of the opportunity for some VA employees to pursue CRNA education through the facility at Houston, TX. I am confused as to whether or not I would have to become an active member of the Army in order to do so. I think that I will meet and/or exceed all of the other requirements(although I know it must be extremely competitive) but I had some health problems when I was younger and don't think that the Army would accept me. Any info would be appreciated!

Thanks!

[ANC_Maj]

The Army program at Ft. Sam Houston, TX (San Antonio) is accredited by the UTHSC-Houston school of nursing and allows a select number of slots per year for the VA system. I would contact your education office for specific details about how to apply and check out the guidelines for application at http://www.anesthesia.med.va.gov/anesthesia/page.cfm?pg=52.

Good luck to you!

ANC_Maj

[macanes, BSN, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

Hi,

I've staffed a of VA SRNA here in Georgia who was working at the Augusta VA. These folks get picked up by their system to work in an ICU for a while and are allowed to apply for one of the VA slots in the US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing (the program in San Antonio accredited through UT Houston Health Sciences Center). They go through phase I -- the didactic portion -- for one year in the classroom at San Antonio. Then, as he told me, they go to a VA site for their phase II clinical portion (while the Army folks go to an Army facility for same). They do get some rotations at Army facilities.

They do not owe the Army time.

They do owe the VA time.

John Z

Columbus/Ft. Benning, GA

Hello, All.

I am fairly new to the VA system, and am loving my MICU so far! I am not a vet but my father is and I grew up knowing how important it is to respect the military. I really enjoy and consider it an honor to take care of the patients. I recently learned of the opportunity for some VA employees to pursue CRNA education through the facility at Houston, TX. I am confused as to whether or not I would have to become an active member of the Army in order to do so. I think that I will meet and/or exceed all of the other requirements(although I know it must be extremely competitive) but I had some health problems when I was younger and don't think that the Army would accept me. Any info would be appreciated!

Thanks!