Is it possible to do CRNA school and the Air Force Reserves?

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I am a active duty nurse (RN-BSN) in the Air Force and I am about to Palace Front into the Reserves. I would like to get some ICU experience and then go to CRNA school, while still serving in the Reserves. Any experience with this? I know CRNA school is busy but it is even feasible to get one weekend off a month/two weeks off a year for drill? Anyone with experience with that? I am single with no kids.

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

I'm doing the exact same thing right now so I'll let you know how it goes.  It's going to largely dependent on how flexible your unit is, but it seems doable with a bit of work.

Things that have helped me: Try to do an easier reserves job like ERPSS (ASTS units) rather than CCATT or AE so you really can just do one weekend a month.  You can always switch jobs after school is done.  Also try to get an easier additional duty.

You actually can get your 50 points for a 'good year' without doing your 2 week annual tour as long as you do all 12 of your drill weekends (or make them up if you have to miss one).  

Worst case: You can just go to IRR at any time if things get to be too much.  You won't have any commitment since you're coming from active duty.  I see no reason not to try it.  ~$600 per month in drill pay plus free health care is worth it to me even if you can't finish up your time for retirement.

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Specializes in CVICU.
On 2/21/2021 at 3:28 PM, jfratian said:

I'm doing the exact same thing right now so I'll let you know how it goes.  It's going to largely dependent on how flexible your unit is, but it seems doable with a bit of work.

Things that have helped me: Try to do an easier reserves job like ERPSS (ASTS units) rather than CCATT or AE so you really can just do one weekend a month.  You can always switch jobs after school is done.  Also try to get an easier additional duty.

You actually can get your 50 points for a 'good year' without doing your 2 week annual tour as long as you do all 12 of your drill weekends (or make them up if you have to miss one).  

Worst case: You can just go to IRR at any time if things get to be too much.  You won't have any commitment since you're coming from active duty.  I see no reason not to try it.  ~$600 per month in drill pay plus free health care is worth it to me even if you can't finish up your time for retirement.

Just wanted to follow up on this and see how it's going for you? I'm in the process of onboarding with the 123rd Airlift Wing out of Louisville as a CCATT RN, and also trying to get into CRNA school. How's your experience been so far? Is it viable with drill and school? Thanks!

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

I'm not a CCATT RN, but yes it has been doable so far.  I'm just wrapping up my first semester with clinical rotations and all is well.  It's a bit of extra stress but feasible.

You should really try to get your COT, APES, and CCATT initial and basic done ASAP.  You definitely won't have time once school starts.

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Specializes in CVICU.
17 minutes ago, jfratian said:

I'm not a CCATT RN, but yes it has been doable so far.  I'm just wrapping up my first semester with clinical rotations and all is well.  It's a bit of extra stress but feasible.

You should really try to get your COT, APES, and CCATT initial and basic done ASAP.  You definitely won't have time once school starts.

Thank you so muc for responding. My main thing I'm trying to figure out is clinical/class and the two week drill during the Summer. How's your experience been with that?

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

You can actually do your 2 week drill anytime during the year provided there is money available.  You also don't have to do all 14 days at once...or at all.  With your unit commander's permission and a good reason, you can actually forgo or only do part of your annual tour. 

 

This is possible because you only need 50 points for a good year.  Each drill weekend is worth 4 points and each additional day spent on active duty orders (annual tour, training classes like COT and CCATT) is worth 1 point.  You also are given a free 15 points each year for 'membership'...essentially for breathing.  Essentially, you could have a good year solely by attending 9 of the 12 drill weekends.

Yes, it is possible to do CRNA school and the reserves.  It does require that you have an understanding/flexible unit commander and/or chief nurse.  

 

The downside to earning less points in a year is that your retirement pension is based on the number of points you earn in a career.  Your pension will be less than someone that shows up every week and always does their entire annual tour.

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Specializes in OR.

It is absolutely possible!  I was in the USAFR through my entire 3 years of my DNP CRNA program. I am a married mother of 4 and finished my degree while serving. I also got a good year every year. It is totally doable. If you have the drive to be a CRNA and graduate anesthesia school you have the drive to do one weekend a month and two weeks a year. I graduated school in 2022 top of my class with a 4.0! 

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Specializes in ICU, ED.

@ALORNurse I am so intrigued to hear about your experience. I have been so interested in joining the Air Guard or Air Reserve. I have shadowed the Air Reserve base and went to an informational session yesterday with the Air Guard for Flight Nurse for the Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron. However, what is keeping me from having them start my package is I am interested in CRNA school. I am 34 years old and I don't want to shoot myself in the foot by joining and then realizing I can't do CRNA school. Do you have any suggestions or tips? Any information is greatly appreciated and it sounds like you killed it with your multiple roles. 

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Specializes in OR.
MG_ER.ICURN said:

@ALORNurse I am so intrigued to hear about your experience. I have been so interested in joining the Air Guard or Air Reserve. I have shadowed the Air Reserve base and went to an informational session yesterday with the Air Guard for Flight Nurse for the Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron. However, what is keeping me from having them start my package is I am interested in CRNA school. I am 34 years old and I don't want to shoot myself in the foot by joining and then realizing I can't do CRNA school. Do you have any suggestions or tips? Any information is greatly appreciated and it sounds like you killed it with your multiple roles. 

Where are you in the process of applying to CRNA school? Have you been accepted or are you still considering? If you haven't started applying yet, I would say go for the Reserves or Guard. I don't have information regarding the Guard as I was a reservist. However, you would have to apply to CRNA school, get an interview, get accepted, and likely wait almost a year to begin. Depending on availability you could easily complete OTS in that time, and be drilling by the time school begins. 

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