HPSP for NP

[jmharrold]

Hi,

I am in the process of applying for the HPSP as a nurse practitioner through the AF. I graduate this May with my BSN and the NP program will begin two weeks later. I have a few questions.

What is the salary for someone who receives the HPSP and graduates as a NP with 0 experience? I know in the civilian sector jobs for NP's straight out of school range 75k and up. I am wondering if pay in the military will be comparable once all benefits have been factored.

Does anyone know what the current sign on bonus is for someone being accepted into this program?

If anyone can answer these questions for me I will be greatly appreciative. I have asked the recruiter but I think he wants to wait until I have been fully accepted before telling me about the pay.

Thanks,

Josh

[FNPdude74]

I don't think anyone would pay a brand new NP with no RN/NP experience 75K starting. Not sure if you're going FNP route. RNs with at least 5 years experience, maybe, but thats even a maybe. Many places will pay lower than 75K for a brand new NP even with RN experience because the practice is so different. Sure my RN stuff helped a little in knowledge, but as a primary care provider? It's a WHOLE different ballgame. I know this from experience and seeing other new FNPs coming into my clinic at my base and also at Eglin AFB when I was there for several weeks. When i first started, I was like *** is this? So much paperwork! What the hell is a Bisniak cyst and are they significant? Fortunately, the military ENSURES you get help when needed. First year pay as a new FNP in the AF is less than the 75K. You can even see their pay chart online by googling it. But thats just basic pay and not including the tax free housing and food allowances, no cost healthcare for you and all your dependants (you don't pay a dime), covered malpractice, lots of training and also combat related injury trauma training when you're deployed. When you're deployed everyone is participating in trauma care including pediatricians. :)

I can go on and on. Nurses also get the extra bonuses and its a healthy bonus annually when you sign up for multi-year. You'll will come in as a 1 LT, then 1.5 years later, Capt. Capt's pay is nice and makes you look at the greener side of life. :)

[OBigdog26, MSN, RN, NP]

I'm also considering doing HPSP and getting my FNP. Don't know if it would be easier if I commission first and let the military send me to grad school or just get FNP via HPSP. I dunno

[jmharrold]

Thanks for all the responses. I ended up getting the scholarship and am taking my classes now. I wanted to be FNP but there were no scholarships available for this specialty so I am doing PNP. I am however still waiting to be sworn in so I have not received any stipend or payments for books and tuition even though I am a month into the program... I think the government tries to wait as long as possible since they technically don't have to get you sworn in until the end of the semester. Anyone else applying be sure to do it early. It is quite a hassle! Especially if you have any sort of medical hx. I am allergic to penicillin and had to dig up 23 year old records and get a new note from my PCP to prove I didn't have an anaphylactic rxn just to get a waiver. While in school I am a 2nd lieutenant and will be a captain upon graduation. They do not pay back any of your old student loans, and there is no sign on bonus.

[ckh23, BSN, RN]

Thanks for all the responses. I ended up getting the scholarship and am taking my classes now. I wanted to be FNP but there were no scholarships available for this specialty so I am doing PNP. I am however still waiting to be sworn in so I have not received any stipend or payments for books and tuition even though I am a month into the program... I think the government tries to wait as long as possible since they technically don't have to get you sworn in until the end of the semester. Anyone else applying be sure to do it early. It is quite a hassle! Especially if you have any sort of medical hx. I am allergic to penicillin and had to dig up 23 year old records and get a new note from my PCP to prove I didn't have an anaphylactic rxn just to get a waiver. While in school I am a 2nd lieutenant and will be a captain upon graduation. They do not pay back any of your old student loans and there is no sign on bonus.[/quote']

You should double check on what rank you will be when you are done because you do not gain rank or time in grade while in the HPSP.

[Megan8683]

I was told that we do "gain rank" while we are in HPSP- We gain rank for our degree as well as our time as an RN. My recruiter said it's all formula based and he wasn't sure what rank I would have when I got out. What's your background story? How many years have you been an RN? When will you graduate from your program? I am set to graduate in May 2015.

[jmharrold]

I was told that we do "gain rank" while we are in HPSP- We gain rank for our degree as well as our time as an RN. My recruiter said it's all formula based and he wasn't sure what rank I would have when I got out. What's your background story? How many years have you been an RN? When will you graduate from your program? I am set to graduate in May 2015.

I actually just graduated with my BSN RN in May 2013 so I have no experience as an RN. I will graduate from the MSN PNP program August 2014. As of yet I still have yet to receive my stipend and I started classes May 20th, so they are 3 going on 4 months late. Meaning a loss of over 8k since they will not pay back missed payments. Also, I am unable to get repaid for my books because you must do it within 60 days of purchase and I bought them in May and am still waiting around.

Basically if you are going to be an APN the HPSP is not worth it, especially considering all the hoops you must jump through and them not doing their part. I submitted my paperwork in April, was told I received the scholarship in May, was not commissioned until July and now in August am still waiting for everything to be finalized. My program is only 27k and by the time my stipend kicks in I will prob receive roughly 15k making it a sum of 42k and I have to commit 3 years to the AF. Doctors end up with 200k in debt plus the stipend for 48 months roughly 100k for a sum of roughly 300k and they owe 4 years. I am actually debating rescinding the scholarship since it is taking so long to finalize and I am not receiving a stipend.

[ckh23, BSN, RN]

I actually just graduated with my BSN RN in May 2013 so I have no experience as an RN. I will graduate from the MSN PNP program August 2014. As of yet I still have yet to receive my stipend and I started classes May 20th, so they are 3 going on 4 months late. Meaning a loss of over 8k since they will not pay back missed payments. Also, I am unable to get repaid for my books because you must do it within 60 days of purchase and I bought them in May and am still waiting around.

Basically if you are going to be an APN the HPSP is not worth it, especially considering all the hoops you must jump through and them not doing their part. I submitted my paperwork in April, was told I received the scholarship in May, was not commissioned until July and now in August am still waiting for everything to be finalized. My program is only 27k and by the time my stipend kicks in I will prob receive roughly 15k making it a sum of 42k and I have to commit 3 years to the AF. Doctors end up with 200k in debt plus the stipend for 48 months roughly 100k for a sum of roughly 300k and they owe 4 years. I am actually debating rescinding the scholarship since it is taking so long to finalize and I am not receiving a stipend.

Hang in there, you will get your money. They will pay for missed stipend payments backdated to your date of commission when you swore in. You will keep a lump sum payment followed by your stipend on the 1st and 15th of the month. The same applies for tuition for school. You will also get your money for your books. They haven't recently changed their policy about the 60 day rule because now you can only submit a CDW if it is over $250, you just have to explain in the notes section when you submit for reimbursement.

As long as you were commissioned before school started then you will have everything paid for. This is the military and things like this move slow so get used to it. Good luck trying to rescind your scholarship if you have already signed and taken your oath.

Have you tried contacting the HPSP (not your recruiter) to find out what the hold up is with your money?

[jmharrold]

Even though I was told I received the scholarship in May they did not bring me in to be commissioned until July, and even then they left the date blank and wrote in August 1st. I did not even know I could contact HPSP directly. My recruiter doesn't give me much info. Anything he needs is life or death that day lol i have had to drive out to sign papers on last minutes notice and he is over an hour away. My cousin got this same scholarship but as a physician and there was no waiting around he was commissioned and receiving the stipend as well as his sign on bonus within weeks. I don't understand why it is different for nurses. Do you have the contact information for contacting HPSP directly?

[ckh23, BSN, RN]

Did you get you commission certificate? As long as you took the oath you should be good to go. Call 877-med-army and follow the prompts. This will take you to your POC at the HPSP office.

[jmharrold]

No I haven't gotten any sort of certificate. I took my oath signed with their notary public and haven't heard back.

[jmharrold]

Just today I received an email of my acceptance package. Unfortunately since I wasn't commissioned until August 1st that is when my stipend will back pay me from instead of May 20th. Better than September though so I'm not too bummed anymore.

[Megan8683]

Jmharrold:

What program are you enrolled in and where?