Usphs?

[fmrnicumom]

I've seen USPHS mentioned in several posts and have checked out their website. It sounds like it could be a good opportunity.

Do any of you have any information on USPHS?

Do any of you have personal experience with USPHS? If so, would you please let me know what your experience has been? Would you recommend it to others? Why or why not?

Do you know if someone can transfer from USPHS to the Army, Navy or Air Force? If so, is it a difficult process? What would your rank be if you can transfer?

How would you decide if USPHS is a better fit for you than the Army, Navy or Air Force?

I have lots of questions about it but this will do to start. I'm supposed to be hearing from someone from USPHS within the next couple days. I'm curious to hear what your expeirences have been though.

Thank you. :)

Tiffany

[AM9160]

Thanks...I was thinking the same thing. I think that the deadline for the COSTEP program has passed anyways for me, so it would be a better idea if I went with the bonus. I still would like to see if there was any way that I could get further education benefits as well. I still need to finish my MSN and wanted to at least start part time next year. I will give Mr.Pryor a try today and see what happens, otherwise I will make sure that I contact you as well. Thanks a lot!!!

[nuberianne_RN]

I read on the USPHS website that the officers are eligible to participate in the GI bill. I've already used up my GI bill money from the Navy. Do you know if I would be able to pay into and use it a second time? If not is there is a tuition assistance program like the military provides? I am interested in the USPHS and would like assistance to earn my MSN.

[BSNinTX]

The GI Bill is one time only, so if you have used it from prior serive you cannot use it again.

A $25000 sign on bonus would help pay for grad school. Also, PHS has loan reimbursement programs available for undergrad and grad loans if you agree to work in high need areas. Also, PHS officers can attend the Uniformed Services University for Health Sciences which offers FNP, CRNA, and OR specialist masters degrees. Again, that comes with a time payback committment.

There is no tuition assistance as there is in other services.

I read on the USPHS website that the officers are eligible to participate in the GI bill. I've already used up my GI bill money from the Navy. Do you know if I would be able to pay into and use it a second time? If not is there is a tuition assistance program like the military provides? I am interested in the USPHS and would like assistance to earn my MSN.

[AM9160]

The GI Bill is one time only, so if you have used it from prior serive you cannot use it again.

A $25000 sign on bonus would help pay for grad school. Also, PHS has loan reimbursement programs available for undergrad and grad loans if you agree to work in high need areas. Also, PHS officers can attend the Uniformed Services University for Health Sciences which offers FNP, CRNA, and OR specialist masters degrees. Again, that comes with a time payback committment.

There is no tuition assistance as there is in other services.

I thought that we would be able to get tuition services as well. I e-mailed Mr.Pryor, and I got a response!!! Would you know what the criteria are that they are looking for to get accepted into the program? This is an extremely important thing for me, and I want to know if I can get in sometime soon, so that I don't sign a contract with anyone else if I can get into the USPHS.

[BSNinTX]

Let me know exactly what requirements you mean. In general:

For CC: relevant degree and license or license eligible / must obtain within 1 year

For SR COSTEP: in last year of BSN

For both:

medical / mentally / morally fit

letters of recommendation

application

medical exam

In terms of what do they look for in considering someone: the same things any nursing program or scholarship looks for. Good academics, good recommendations from faculty/supervisors, leadership potential and/or experience.

[AM9160]

Let me know exactly what requirements you mean. In general:

For CC: relevant degree and license or license eligible / must obtain within 1 year

For SR COSTEP: in last year of BSN

For both:

medical / mentally / morally fit

letters of recommendation

application

medical exam

In terms of what do they look for in considering someone: the same things any nursing program or scholarship looks for. Good academics, good recommendations from faculty/supervisors, leadership potential and/or experience.

How competative is the program? Also, if I don't do the costel program, I will be able to get loan reimbursement? Also how do they usually pay out the sign on bonus? Will it end up being over 4 years?

[BSNinTX]

I will give you the best info that I have, but please know that I am not an official recruiter and so I could be wrong on some details.

I do not believe the COSTEP program to be overly competitive. If you have good grades and good recommendations, you should be able to get it. We generally have more slots for things (officers, COSTEPs) than people willing to fill them.

Loan repayment varies by agency. In the Bureau of Prisons, we don't use it at all. Indian Health Service uses it a lot. The last time I looked at it, there was a three year minimum committment. It paid ~$30,000 per year + money to cover taxes. Again, this is a recruiting tool to fill difficult to fill vacancies, like those at Indian clinics an hour from the nearest grocery store. Keep that in mind. On the other hand, I know some pharmacists who live in relatively civilized areas who qualified. Recruiters for the agencies may not speak out about loan repayment, so ask.

The sign on bonus is paid all at once...I got mine within a matter of weeks. They will take out 25% for tax purposes. You are committed to three or four years (they usually offer two bonus amounts linked to different committments). If you leave early for any reason within your control (choose to, poor performance, etc.), you repay a prorated amount. If you leave early for a reason out of your control (medical, downsizing the CC), I think you are off the hook.

To my knowledge, you cannot do COSTEP, loan reimbursement, and/or sign on bonuses together in any combination. That makes sense, because in any of those cases they are asking you to make a committment in return for financial support. More than one would be a conflict of committments.

BTW, I wouldn't worry about downsizing - we're trying to grow the CC by 10%.

If you need any more info, let me know. If you pursue it and get in, remember me. Those letters of appreciation look good in my personnel folder for promotion.

[blainer101]

BSNINTX,

Give me an e-mail so I can ask you a couple of questions.

Thanks,

[AM9160]

I will give you the best info that I have, but please know that I am not an official recruiter and so I could be wrong on some details.

I do not believe the COSTEP program to be overly competitive. If you have good grades and good recommendations, you should be able to get it. We generally have more slots for things (officers, COSTEPs) than people willing to fill them.

Loan repayment varies by agency. In the Bureau of Prisons, we don't use it at all. Indian Health Service uses it a lot. The last time I looked at it, there was a three year minimum committment. It paid ~$30,000 per year + money to cover taxes. Again, this is a recruiting tool to fill difficult to fill vacancies, like those at Indian clinics an hour from the nearest grocery store. Keep that in mind. On the other hand, I know some pharmacists who live in relatively civilized areas who qualified. Recruiters for the agencies may not speak out about loan repayment, so ask.

The sign on bonus is paid all at once...I got mine within a matter of weeks. They will take out 25% for tax purposes. You are committed to three or four years (they usually offer two bonus amounts linked to different committments). If you leave early for any reason within your control (choose to, poor performance, etc.), you repay a prorated amount. If you leave early for a reason out of your control (medical, downsizing the CC), I think you are off the hook.

To my knowledge, you cannot do COSTEP, loan reimbursement, and/or sign on bonuses together in any combination. That makes sense, because in any of those cases they are asking you to make a committment in return for financial support. More than one would be a conflict of committments.

BTW, I wouldn't worry about downsizing - we're trying to grow the CC by 10%.

If you need any more info, let me know. If you pursue it and get in, remember me. Those letters of appreciation look good in my personnel folder for promotion.

DEFINITELY:up::typing!!! email me.

I keep thinking of questions that I have sporadically...I am really paranoid that something will happen that I can't get in. It is really important for me that I do, that is why I am continuously after getting information to solidify myself into the program! Thanks again SOOOO much for all your help. How long does it usually take to find anything out after sending in the application?

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

Hey guys- per our Terms of Service, we do not allow email addresses to be posted in the public message boards. You can email each other from your profiles, once you have 15 posts. Thanks.

[AM9160]

Hey guys- per our Terms of Service, we do not allow email addresses to be posted in the public message boards. You can email each other from your profiles, once you have 15 posts. Thanks.

Sorry about that! I wasn't aware. Thanks for the update, I am glad to see we can PM after 15 posts. I was about to find out why I couldn't PM, now I know.

[AM9160]

Would you know anything about how to get the medical requirements done and if there is anything of importance that I should know when it comes to getting all the miles of paperwork done? Thanks.