Looking for USAGPAN grads

olderthandirt2 · Jan 23, 2009

I am AD USAF and am fortunate enough to be starting the US Army Graduate Program in Nurse Anesthesia (USAGPAN) in San Antonio 6/09. Just looking for some Pearls of Wisdom specific to this program. BTW, I have spoken to enough friends that I now have the fear of God in me. Thank you in advance.

Congrats,

I have no pearls, just rumors of perils......30-50 % attrition rate!!!!

That being said, when did you put your packet into NEU? I just applied for the January boards and I am wonder how long I get to wait to hear back....(boards were 2 days ago at NEU)......

Thanks,

And good luck, I am sure you will do great,

c.

keeper of the gas · Feb 20, 2009

congrats on being accepted to the Army program. The program is tough but depending on what your knowledge base was prior to the course, you may find that it's kinda fun. Being Army, I have a bias towards how easy your Phase II site will be, but Phase I is as easy or as hard as you make it. I would recommend starting with a strong foundation and building on that but don't forget with all the new information you learn, continue to go back and review what you've already learned. Knowing the information vs memorizing and dumping will not only make Phase II easier but will make you a safer provider. Good luck and if you have any specific questions let know. The attrition rate is around 25% currently, not all for academic reasons. Some people realize that anesthesia is not for them, some people have the program realize it for them.

Ketafol_king · Nov 19, 2009

Congrats on your acceptance first and foremost. As a recent grad of THE PROGRAM (2008) I certainly have some bias. However, while the attrition rate is high, those that do make it to the finish are the best, most independent practicioners around. We are breed and trained that way. People who don't make it, both phase I and II, are not all acedemics. Some have to do with family and the time requirements. Others on paper are grad material and can memorize but cannot make educated decisions based on that. Many in phase II find that anesthesia doesn't suit them. And then there are those who 1) don't know how to admit when they don't know the answer, who 2) are wrong, or who 3) don't know how to shut their traps and open their ears. Humble, loveable, and eager to learn are the keys. Any one in the anesthesia community knows there are a million ways to do it, none of them are absolutely right, none of them are absolutely wrong, and your staff's way is always right....for today. Good luck, keep driving on, and hope to see you down the road

olderthandirt2 · Nov 20, 2009

Originally Posted by suds1228

I am AD USAF and am fortunate enough to be starting the US Army Graduate Program in Nurse Anesthesia (USAGPAN) in San Antonio 6/09. Just looking for some Pearls of Wisdom specific to this program. BTW, I have spoken to enough friends that I now have the fear of God in me. Thank you in advance.

Congrats,
I have no pearls, just rumors of perils......30-50 % attrition rate!!!!
That being said, when did you put your packet into NEU? I just applied for the January boards and I am wonder how long I get to wait to hear back....(boards were 2 days ago at NEU)......
Thanks,
And good luck, I am sure you will do great,
c.
I would like to "adjust" this posting.......heh,heh.....now that I am 5.5 months into the program.
I completely agree with the above posters.......the "rumored" attrition rate is blown WAY out of proportion. And many are given a chance to "start-over again" a year or two down the line...(if they withdrew for reasons other than academic).
The program is wonderful and supportive. BEST training around and it starts in phase I.
I highly recommend this program for students who are serious and are willing to serve their country too!
current student,
c.
p.s. ketafol.....where did you do phase II?