How does one become a CRNA in the Navy, Air Force, or USPHS?

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Specializes in Behavioral Health.

First, let me thank everyone who answers this post. Allnurses.com has been a godsend to me. I'm applying for nursing school next spring and I plan on starting next fall at our local community college. From there I plan on getting my BSN and going back to Active Duty. (I have 2 years Army, 2 years Army Guard and by then I'll have 10 years Air National Guard). I'm trying to decide if I'd rather be a Nurse Practitioner or a CRNA. Right now, I'm thinking CRNA. The more I read about the job of a CRNA the more I fall in love with it.

So, my main question is how do I become a CRNA? I am trying to decide between attending CRNA school before either on my own dime (loans) or HPSP scholarship and just applying for CRNA school once I get back on Active Duty. So my other questions are:

1.) Is it true that the Navy at least doesn't allow civilian CRNAs to commission?

2.) If I join the military as a BSN, how do I become a CRNA and how difficult is the process?

3.) Where can I find out more about the military CRNA programs?

4.) For my current CRNAs, why is CRNA school so difficult? Is it the long hours and vast amount of information or is it the complexity of the information?

5.) Lastly, what rank does one get after becoming either a Nurse Practitioner with 2 or 3 years nursing experience or a CRNA with one year of nursing experience? Is it 1st Lt because it is a Masters program?

Also, please keep in mind that I am already in the military and I know it is difficult right now to get on as a nurse. I believe I can do it and on the off chance that I can't, I will just stay in the Air National Guard. I only say that because in the past, people would just reply to my questions saying things like "You probably won't be able to become an Active Duty nurse" and don't even address any of my questions. Also, keep in mind that I don't have any nursing experience currently so don't be afraid to simply. Thank you guys and I hope each and every one of you have a great 4th of July weekend.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Just FYI, the military is moving to DNP as the baseline for advanced practice nurses; MSN is no longer desirable, so a civilian MSN program probably won't do it for you. Most of the military CRNAs I know have become one through USAGPAN: USAGPAN

My advice is to focus on becoming an RN first, with the highest grades possible. I cannot stress enough how important GPA is to the military! Though USAGPAN wants a 3.0 minimum GPA, for example, it is so competitive that a 3.0 will never get an applicant anywhere.

Once you have experienced nursing, you will be better equipped to decide your future pathway. See NPs and CRNAs in action and go from there. :) I can tell you that the Army doesn't really utilize NPs as well as they do CRNAs, in my opinion. I know FNPs who are in admin positions or who are used as bedside RNs, whereas CRNAs actually do anesthesia.

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Specializes in Behavioral Health.

DNP?! Wow! I plan on getting over a 3.5. I graduated my first degree with a 3.6 and that was with me finishing my first year with a 1.8 (too much celebratory drinking!). I'm not really considering the Army. Found out the hard way the deployments are too long in the Army for my taste!

Also, I'm the type of person who plans almost to a fault. It's what made me the success I am today so I don't even fight it anymore. I understand that I need to make good grades but can you please tell me how you go from BSN to NP or CRNA through the military.

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I believe that USAGPAN does have a direct accessions program, but it is competitive and requires both an RN and critical care experience. However, that is Army, and I know you said you aren't interested in that branch. I did work with several CRNA's who were on 6-month rotations, so don't completely discount it due to deployment length. If that's something you'd be interested in, I would suggest talking specifically to an AMEDD recruiter.

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Specializes in Behavioral Health.

The truth is if there is a good chance of me getting deployed again for 12-18 months on a regular basis then I don't want to do it anymore. Thats just too long for me. Also, I love the mile and a half run for the Air Force/Navy pt test hahaha.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
DNP?! Wow! I plan on getting over a 3.5. I graduated my first degree with a 3.6 and that was with me finishing my first year with a 1.8 (too much celebratory drinking!). I'm not really considering the Army. Found out the hard way the deployments are too long in the Army for my taste!

Also, I'm the type of person who plans almost to a fault. It's what made me the success I am today so I don't even fight it anymore. I understand that I need to make good grades but can you please tell me how you go from BSN to NP or CRNA through the military.

If you look at the USAGPAN link I provided, you will see that the Air Force attends it as well.

Edited to add: for Navy, do a Google search on DUINS. CRNA school is a DUINS offering for the Navy Nurse Corps. I assume it is uber-competitive as well.

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Specializes in Behavioral Health.

You rock Pixie.RN

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

If a slightly less competitive (although still difficult) route appeals to you, consider direct commissioning as a CRNA after completing a civilian DNP CRNA program. The Air Force direct commissions a large portion of its CRNAs, and I think that would be less competitive than the Uniformed Services University (and affiliates). Although these things are always changing, currently there are loan repayment options for direct commission CRNAs in the Air Force.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
First, let me thank everyone who answers this post. Allnurses.com has been a godsend to me. I'm applying for nursing school next spring and I plan on starting next fall at our local community college. From there I plan on getting my BSN and going back to Active Duty. (I have 2 years Army, 2 years Army Guard and by then I'll have 10 years Air National Guard). I'm trying to decide if I'd rather be a Nurse Practitioner or a CRNA. Right now, I'm thinking CRNA. The more I read about the job of a CRNA the more I fall in love with it.

So, my main question is how do I become a CRNA? I am trying to decide between attending CRNA school before either on my own dime (loans) or HPSP scholarship and just applying for CRNA school once I get back on Active Duty. So my other questions are:

1.) Is it true that the Navy at least doesn't allow civilian CRNAs to commission?

2.) If I join the military as a BSN, how do I become a CRNA and how difficult is the process?

3.) Where can I find out more about the military CRNA programs?

4.) For my current CRNAs, why is CRNA school so difficult? Is it the long hours and vast amount of information or is it the complexity of the information?

5.) Lastly, what rank does one get after becoming either a Nurse Practitioner with 2 or 3 years nursing experience or a CRNA with one year of nursing experience? Is it 1st Lt because it is a Masters program?

Also, please keep in mind that I am already in the military and I know it is difficult right now to get on as a nurse. I believe I can do it and on the off chance that I can't, I will just stay in the Air National Guard. I only say that because in the past, people would just reply to my questions saying things like "You probably won't be able to become an Active Duty nurse" and don't even address any of my questions. Also, keep in mind that I don't have any nursing experience currently so don't be afraid to simply. Thank you guys and I hope each and every one of you have a great 4th of July weekend.

1. Spend as much time shadowing CRNAs and NPs as possible to make up your mind on which career path you would like. They both have their pros and cons.

2. I know civilian CRNAs that became Navy CRNAs.

3. There are two military CRNA programs. The USAGPAN program in San Antonio that trains Army, Air Force, and VA and the USUHS program in Maryland that trains all military branches. USAGPAN https://www.usuhs.edu/gsn/rnacurriculumfordnp They are both DNP programs as will all CRNA programs be by no later than 2022.

4. CRNA school is fast and furious and even if the academics aren't that tough for some there is still a massive amount of material to get through plus thousands of hours of clinical time.

5. An MSN will get you commissioned as at least a 1Lt and a DNP should get you at least commissioned as a Captain.

USPHS is currently not training anymore CRNAs. The only way to become a CRNA in the USPHS is to have gotten your training in one of the other services then transferred to USPHS or complete civilian CRNA training and then apply to USPHS.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

The Army and the Air Force both have direct accession programs for SRNAs now. Each branch and I believe USPHS too have stipend/tuition programs for SRNAs to attend civilian nurse anesthesia programs.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_Professions_Scholarship_Program

http://www.usphs.gov/docs/pdfs/bks/USPHS_Physician_111111.pdf

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Specializes in Behavioral Health.

I think you're the only one who has actually answered of my questions. Thank you so much for the information!

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

I have been in the USAF for 13+ years and completed my CRNA training at USUHS in 2009. I am also adjunct faculty at USUHS and TCU d/t my previous work as a clinical coordinator for SRNAs.

Feel free to PM if you have more questions.

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