Enlisting to pay for CRNA school....

LTinAK · Oct 7, 2008

Just to clarify, do you mean enlisting and using the GI Bill when you get out? The Air Force (I don't know about the other branches) offers AFIT programs for officers to go and get their advanced degrees. You of course have to apply and selection is competitive from what I hear. The key is that to be a nurse and an officer you have to have your BS in nursing. I don't know how familiar you are with the military, just make sure you know the difference between enlisting and going in as an officer. Have you checked out the Military nursing forum under the Specialty nursing tab? That has some really great info there. Good luck Elbajista!

lindarn · Oct 7, 2008

Has anyone here enlisted in any of the armed forces to pay for school?
I recently got married and have a baby on the way with about 8 months of ADN school left, and I am 90% sure that I want to go on to be a CRNA after I have a few years of RN experience. My only problem is I've heard many times that CRNA school is too intense to work during school. Being the sole source of income, the prospect of not being able to work for 24-36 months with a family to feed is all but impossible, unless I consider enlisting to pay for school and get paid during school. Army, Navy, Air Force, it doesn't really matter to me.
Has anyone done this? What is your opinion of going this route to pay for school?

Active duty nursing means that you will have to have a BSN to be commissioned. You can go in with an ADN, but you will have to go in as enlisted, not as an officer. You can go back to school to get your BSN, but it will be hard if you are active duty. It might be better if you go into the reserves first, then go active duty after you get your BSN.

Also, you can get the military to pay for you to go to school for CRNA, but you will need to have several years of experience as an RN in ICU. School slots for CRNA are very competitive GPA wise, and other ways. You have to jump through several hoops to get these slots. Just because you ultimately want to go to school for CRNA, doesn't mean that you will get the slot up front. You may have to wait and "pay your dues" before you get the slot. Talk to a recruiter and get the whole story/picture. Good Luck.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

cathys01 · Oct 7, 2008

There are lots of people in CRNA school that are the sole income for their families. Loans, loans, loans! You don't have to join the military to go to school.....unless you've always wanted to join the military anyway.

Happy Halothane · Oct 8, 2008

After you're accepted into a CRNA program, you'll find several options for paying student loans. Most of them are from private group sign-ons, but there are a couple military options available. The best seems to be the ARMY STRAP program.

For the STRAP program, the $$ benefit depends on the # of years you commit (4 is ideal); you become a reservist. Your weekend duty can be integrated into your school classtime, and then becomes actual CRNA duty once graduated. Once every 2 years you'll be sent elsewhere for 90days, usually inside the US. I have a couple friends that are participating...they seem really pleased with their selection. The CRNA duty at other facilities can help augment your skills. There is a chance that you can be sent overseas.

If you're looking into the Military as an option, be prepared to serve in the Military. It can either be a fantastic opportunity, or 4 years of anxiety for your family.

Make sure you go into the OR and shadow the anesthesia team before making up your mind on CRNA.

Good luck!

luvkyaking · Oct 8, 2008

I just wanted to clarify about the STRAP program with the army, as I am in th is program. If you stay in the APMC which is the unit you would be assigned in for STRAP , after graduation, you will do your drilling once a month and then your two weeks a year. The APMC is an "augmentation" unit meaning you fill in other places so every other year you can see where their needs are and do your TWO weeks there. The ninety days is not an every other year thing. If you are deployed , as a CRNA, you are ninety days boots on the ground, but there isn't a rule saying you get deployed every other year. This has been an excellent program for me, and if you are willing to be deployed for ninety days at a time (because this will probably happen at some point) then it really is helpful financially

CSARmedic · Oct 9, 2008

I just wanted to clarify about the STRAP program with the army, as I am in th is program. If you stay in the APMC which is the unit you would be assigned in for STRAP , after graduation, you will do your drilling once a month and then your two weeks a year. The APMC is an "augmentation" unit meaning you fill in other places so every other year you can see where their needs are and do your TWO weeks there. The ninety days is not an every other year thing. If you are deployed , as a CRNA, you are ninety days boots on the ground, but there isn't a rule saying you get deployed every other year. This has been an excellent program for me, and if you are willing to be deployed for ninety days at a time (because this will probably happen at some point) then it really is helpful financially

This is my third rotation in the AOR (i.e. The Sandbox) and have never met nor heard of anyone in the Army that was deployed for less than 6 months. Most Army rotations officer, enlisted, nurse, CRNA, infantry, truck driver, MD, etc are for 12 months and there are many 15 monthers floating around.

John S., Master Sergeant, USAFR

(RN) EMT-P

Somewhere in Afghanistan

JenniferCCRN · Oct 9, 2008

I am currently in CRNA school, in my first semester. I have a very young family consisting of me, my husband, three children and another one on the way (due in two months). Before school started, I explored financial options and took out the loans I needed. I did not sign any contracts. I have been able to easily get the money I needed for school. Don't worry about the finances, and my advise is DON'T sign any contracts.

sleepergirl · Oct 10, 2008

After you're accepted into a CRNA program, you'll find several options for paying student loans. Most of them are from private group sign-ons, but there are a couple military options available. The best seems to be the ARMY STRAP program.
For the STRAP program, the $$ benefit depends on the # of years you commit (4 is ideal); you become a reservist. Your weekend duty can be integrated into your school classtime, and then becomes actual CRNA duty once graduated. Once every 2 years you'll be sent elsewhere for 90days, usually inside the US. I have a couple friends that are participating...they seem really pleased with their selection. The CRNA duty at other facilities can help augment your skills. There is a chance that you can be sent overseas.
If you're looking into the Military as an option, be prepared to serve in the Military. It can either be a fantastic opportunity, or 4 years of anxiety for your family.
Make sure you go into the OR and shadow the anesthesia team before making up your mind on CRNA.
Good luck!

I recently spoke with a healthcare recruiter for the army and need to clarify a few statements from the previous post so that you are able to make the right decision for you and your family. The Army STRAP stipend for SRNA's is currently $1907/mo. For every 6 mos of assistance (stipend) recieved committment time is 1 year. Once you sign on for the reserves you are a commissioned officer (First Lt.). Deployment or Boots on Ground incorporates 120 days (2 weeks pre & 2 weeks post) every 3 years (its supposed to be 90 days but you have a detainment before and after). While you are in school for CRNA you are statused (Temporary training hold status) which means you cannot be deployed while in school. There is no weekend duty while in school. After schooling is complete you go to officer training school in Texas for 26 days. Hope this helps!