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.
Pay as a 1LT was okay for a brand new NP with no RN experience. Pay and priviledges/responsibilities as a captain increased but I'm much happier now![/quote']
Took me 1.5 years since they have a strong need for NPs in primary care. Now with the Force Shaping of the air force of 1,499 officers, about 232 nurses are being cut because they're overmanned with 210 clinical nurses. read below. APRNs are also affected but mostly those who don't have a commitment to owe or mostly who have greater than 6 years of being an officer.
Quick question... Everyone keeps talking about FNP for primary care. But what about the new AGNP concentration? (Adult-Geriatric primary care) It is a relatively new concentration that's gained traction the last few years. It's a recognized speciality with ith's own cert. It used to be you were either an adult NP or a geriatric NP, now they've lumped them together as one specialty.
So on to my real question: Would the AGNP specialty be eligible for HPSP?
Quick question... Everyone keeps talking about FNP for primary care. But what about the new AGNP concentration? (Adult-Geriatric primary care) It is a relatively new concentration that's gained traction the last few years. It's a recognized speciality with ith's own cert. It used to be you were either an adult NP or a geriatric NP, now they've lumped them together as one specialty.
So on to my real question: Would the AGNP specialty be eligible for HPSP?
I know the Army only uses FNP, anything else is in the realm of PA or MD. I've said it a lot but the Army is really geared towards PAs or CRNAs at the mid level not NPs.
Thanks Dranger. I spoke with an Army recruiter and he basically said what you did. AF and Navy are much more NP friendly so I am trying to go that route.
Thanks Dranger. I spoke with an Army recruiter and he basically said what you did. AF and Navy are much more NP friendly so I am trying to go that route.
Yeah it's unfortunate because PAs get to do a lot of fun stuff in the Army and have a lot of battlefield autonomy.
I didn't read through all the posts but if someone hasn't already mentioned, I believe you can receive special pay for certain degrees and level of education like NP and Anesthetics.
If you haven't talked to a health care recruiter already just ask about special pays for advanced degree and certification holding nurses. If im not mistaken, I believe nurse anesthetists can make an additional 15,000 a year for an extended 3 year obligation. This is on top of what a traditional commissioned officer makes per pay grade, time in grade, etc.
An 0-2 in any branch with over four years of time in grade makes about $4,539 a month. This may not seem like a lot but as im sure others have mentioned you don't have to pay for mal-practice insurance, and little to no cost health care for yourself and family. And that's not all, there is also BAH which for an 0-2 living in Florida for example is $2,028 a month. Add up the bonus of $15,000 ($1,250 a month) a year for being a nurse anesthetist >>> $4,539+$2,028+$1,250=$7,817 a month or $93,804 a year.
Keep in mind though that there may be some taxes owed with that $15,000 bonus but this is a rough estimate of what you could be making. $93,000 a year in just the start of your military career is not too shabby! And as your time in grade goes further and you go up in pay grade you will be making money in the 6 figures territory before you know it!!
For the HPSP scholarship you are a 0-1 while in school but upon graduation are moved up to 0-3 captain. I graduate in 6 months and have yet to receive my duty station, but I know another student with the same scholarship who has already been contacted and notified of 5 openings for which she can give them her preferences.
@jmharrold did you get the HPSP to go to NP school? Were you a nurse prior? I was just accepted to a few direct entry nursing programs and I'm just starting the application process now. Any advice, PM's etc are much appreciated. Cheers.
FNPdude74
219 Posts
Pay as a 1LT was okay for a brand new NP with no RN experience. Pay and priviledges/responsibilities as a captain increased, but I'm much happier now!