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Nursing Students SRNA

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So I've received a lot of questions about the Dept. of Veteran's Affairs (VA) anesthesia program and I know there's a lot of misunderstanding. I'll try to clear up some confusion and also publicize the program for those who don't know.

First, the program is a joint venture between the US Army, Air Force and VA, which is titled the United States Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing (USAGPAN). Every year, approximately 30 Army, 4 Air Force and 4 VA students enter the program. The selection process is different for each branch and I am only referring to the VA contingent here.

So, here's the carrot. After selection, a student becomes enrolled in the USAGPAN program, which is widely recognized as one of the best in the nation. While in school the student continues to receive an RN equivalent salary, 5 weeks paid vacation, 2.5 weeks paid sick leave, health insurance, and retirement matching with pension benefits. The VA pays all tuition costs and a nominal amount for books/fees. The successful student will graduate with a DNP after 36 months. While some training will occur on military bases, the VA student is never actually in the military and does not incur a military commitment. Upon graduation, the newly minted CRNA will owe the VA 3 years of service repayment at community competitive salary. If this seems too good to be true, I would agree with you except that it actually exists and I'm a graduate. Literally the Golden Egg.

And the catch. You need to be a VA employee for at least the previous year prior to being awarded a scholarship (which occurs approximately 2 months after the program application deadline). Therefore, you need to be employed by the VA at the very latest in September the year before you wish to attend school. The application process is competitive, but achievable for motivated candidates. Applicants that are denied entry, but improve deficiencies and apply again are given significant weight during consideration. The duration of employment within the VA is also a considered factor.

Below is the posting which will get you started in the application process. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or clarifications.

Nurse Anesthetist Education - Veterans Health Administration

Joe

Email:

JCKeck1 (at) aol.com

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Thank you for this information, very intriguing. For the 3 years of service that you owe to the VA after - do you stay in Texas or do they send you somewhere else? If they send you elsewhere, do you get any preference for which of their locations you would like to practice in?

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The three years after are owed to the VA system. Most people have had a very strong say in their final location, but occasionally graduates have had to take any position available. You can transfer within the three years to available positions, you just have to stay within the VA system. Repayment commitment in Texas is certainly an option, but definitely not required. A partial list of recent graduate assignments includes: Gainesville, FL; Seattle, WA; Tampa, FL; Los Angeles, CA; Minneapolis, MN; San Antonio, TX; Augusta, GA; Hines, IL. As you can see, about any geographic location is possible.

Joe

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thank you so much for posting this. I have a few questions, if you don't mind answering them. How many years of critical care experience did you have? What was your cum and science gpa? Like what was the stats of a competitive applicant? And did you receive your critical care experience at the VA or prior employment?

thanks!

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NE,

I had spent 6 years as an EMT and 3 years as an ICU nurse. My BSN GPA was 3.9 and science GPA from my prior BA was 3.5 GRE old score 1260. All of my ICU experience was in the VA system.

If you meet the minimum requirements, I would apply to the program. The selection team looks very favorably upon applicants that have applied, been rejected, improved deficiencies and applied again. I know applicants have been accepted in this manner. Also, time served within the VA system is taken into account.

Joe

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Thanks for answering and the feedback. Greatly appreciated!

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Thank you so much for sharing this, I am interested in CRNA school in the near future but tuition cost has been bothering me. I don't want to graduate with a lot of student loan. I had no idea that this program existed, I knew of the army and air force route but I didn't want any military obligations.

A few questions for you :-

1. I looked up the program and it said that it pays full tuition and expenses but I didn't see anywhere that said you will be paid your RN wage while in school, However in VA EISP handbook said something about replacement salary and USAGPAN website says "

Attendance at USAGPAN will mean that you are (or will become) an Active Duty Commissioned Officer in the US Army, an Active Duty Commissioned Officer in the US Air Force, or a contracted VA employee. Each affiliation provides full pay, tuition, medical benefits, and vacation". So did you get paid while you were in school?

2. Does every VA offer the sponsorship? the reason I ask this is because I want to know which one to apply to since I don't work for VA currently. Is there a way to find out which VA offers the sponsorship?

3. And do you know about how many people apply with each admission cycle from VA?

Thanks again, any feedback will be greatly apprecated.

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Thank you so much for sharing this, I am interested in CRNA school in the near future but tuition cost has been bothering me. I don't want to graduate with a lot of student loan. I had no idea that this program existed, I knew of the army and air force route but I didn't want any military obligations.

A few questions for you :-

1. I looked up the program and it said that it pays full tuition and expenses but I didn't see anywhere that said you will be paid your RN wage while in school, However in VA EISP handbook said something about replacement salary and USAGPAN website says "

Attendance at USAGPAN will mean that you are (or will become) an Active Duty Commissioned Officer in the US Army, an Active Duty Commissioned Officer in the US Air Force, or a contracted VA employee. Each affiliation provides full pay, tuition, medical benefits, and vacation". So did you get paid while you were in school?

2. Does every VA offer the sponsorship? the reason I ask this is because I want to know which one to apply to since I don't work for VA currently. Is there a way to find out which VA offers the sponsorship?

3. And do you know about how many people apply with each admission cycle from VA?

Thanks again, any feedback will be greatly apprecated.

Well I can answer 1 and 2...

1. You WILL get paid your RN salary while in school.

2. All VA hospital systems offer sponsor ship, so it would lend to reason that there are A LOT of yearly applicants.

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Thanks for your reply

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Do you get your usual raise? Or does the payment stay the same the whole 3 years?

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Specializes in MICU/SICU/CCU.
Kaylers421 said:

Do you get your usual raise? Or does the payment stay the same the whole 3 years?

Yes, they will still need the annual nursing proficiency evaluation done and I believe if you're grade 02 like me, you would get a step increase every two years. You will earn a Texas RN salary while stationed in Texas for the first year, and a Tennessee RN salary while stationed in Tennessee for the last two years. I was hoping to get a California Salary throughout CRNA school, LOL, but I am very grateful for not having to be in debt after I graduate. 

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I know that for the military, you are rejected due to health issues such as knee surgery; does this apply to this application as well?

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