Is anyone having trouble getting into a CRNA program?

Jimmedda · Jul 13, 2005

:crying2:

I appreciate the repost, but actually I have been out close to 3 years now.
Mike

Alpha13 · Jul 13, 2005

Wow, a CRNA program with no tuition fees that can't fill all the slots sure sounds attractive. How much does the military pay for those 4 1/2 years of active service?

sandman1914 · Jul 13, 2005

Wow, a CRNA program with no tuition fees that can't fill all the slots sure sounds attractive. How much does the military pay for those 4 1/2 years of active service?

There are three parts to military pay. You will recieve basic pay(taxable),which is based on rank and time in service. In addition to your basic pay you recieve a housing allowance(nontaxable) which is adjusted according to where you are stationed. You also recieve subsistence(food) allowance which is nontaxable also. Here is a link if you would like to view the payscale. http://www.dod.mil/dfas/money/milpay/ You will actually have 7 years of service. 2 1/2 years in school and 4 1/2 years oblgated service for the program. It seems well worth it. Great school, great training, and great independence.

mwbeah · Jul 13, 2005

There are three parts to military pay. You will recieve basic pay(taxable),which is based on rank and time in service. In addition to your basic pay you recieve a housing allowance(nontaxable) which is adjusted according to where you are stationed. You also recieve subsistence(food) allowance which is nontaxable also. Here is a link if you would like to view the payscale. http://www.dod.mil/dfas/money/milpay/ You will actually have 7 years of service. 2 1/2 years in school and 4 1/2 years oblgated service for the program. It seems well worth it. Great school, great training, and great independence.

Also, once you graduate you get "Incentive Specialty Pay" of 15,000 lump sum per year while under obligation. When you have less than one year of obligation you have several options available for Incentive Specialty Pay, you can sign up for:

1 yr - 15,000 for that year

2 yr - 25,000 for each of those years

3 yr - 35,000 for each of those years

4 yr - 40,000 for each of those years.

(or after your 7 year obligation (school and pay back time) you can leave the service)

By the time your Obligation is up, you are more than likely a Major (or close to being one) and with a Major's salary, Government housing allowance, Subsistence allowance, Board certification pay, and your yearly lump sum bonus, the salary is very comparable to the average CRNA salary. You can do extra work as well if you desire (you know part time 20-40 hours per month).

We can't fill slots for two reasons in my opinion.

1) not many people really know about military programs

2) the current operations tempo in the Army discourages many applicants

With that being said, I was able to get married before school, have two babies in school (one requiring a four week NICU stay), and provide very adequately for my family while in school. It is extremely nice to have your tuition paid and receive a nice salary every month.

Mike

texas_lvn · Jul 18, 2005

Also, once you graduate you get "Incentive Specialty Pay" of 15,000 lump sum per year while under obligation. When you have less than one year of obligation you have several options available for Incentive Specialty Pay, you can sign up for:
1 yr - 15,000 for that year
2 yr - 25,000 for each of those years
3 yr - 35,000 for each of those years
4 yr - 40,000 for each of those years.
(or after your 7 year obligation (school and pay back time) you can leave the service)
By the time your Obligation is up, you are more than likely a Major (or close to being one) and with a Major's salary, Government housing allowance, Subsistence allowance, Board certification pay, and your yearly lump sum bonus, the salary is very comparable to the average CRNA salary. You can do extra work as well if you desire (you know part time 20-40 hours per month).
We can't fill slots for two reasons in my opinion.
1) not many people really know about military programs
2) the current operations tempo in the Army discourages many applicants
With that being said, I was able to get married before school, have two babies in school (one requiring a four week NICU stay), and provide very adequately for my family while in school. It is extremely nice to have your tuition paid and receive a nice salary every month.
Mike

Is there an age limit?

mwbeah · Jul 18, 2005

Is there an age limit?

To enter the service (Nurse Corps) I believe it is either 46 or 47, but I know that information can be "googled".

Mike

gub · Jul 18, 2005

And lets not forget that you can attend this program as a civilian through the V.A. 3 years service obligation to a VA after graduation and a portion, if not all, of your salary while you are attending. Able to accrue benefits and retirement during the schooling process. Sweet deal.

ilnini003 · Jul 20, 2005

I've just got my associate degree in nursing, what are the steps to becoming a CRNA (education requirement,experience,etc)

Alpha13 · Jul 20, 2005

Education requirements can be found here:

http://www.aana.com/crna/careerqna.asp

sandman1914 · Jul 20, 2005

I've just got my associate degree in nursing, what are the steps to becoming a CRNA (education requirement,experience,etc)

Read the read first, CRNA FAQ sticky at the top of the first page of this forum. There is plenty of enlightening information.