Military CRNA Programs

Specialties CRNA

Published

Hi,

I just have a basic question. I was wondering if there are any Military Nurses who are in a CRNA program. I know the Army has 2 one in Ft. Sam Houston, TX and in Walter Reed, DC. Navy has one in Bethesda MD (close to me but I don't want to be a Seaman, lol) Was wondering how that works out. Also, mainly wanted to hear from Army or Airforce nurses. Since I am a veteran of Army might look into that but more geared towards Airforce (army been there done that got a degree! lol). Wanted to know if anyone went from BSN into military then into CRNA program and if they can tell me how they did it and what happens. Wanted to know more because I know you get paid while you do any training in the military so finiancially it seems better. Thanks :)

I'm currently working on my RN, but aspire to become CRNA down the road. I was unable to join the military after a back surgery just after high school b/c of rods and screws that are in my back...Would a military CRNA program accept me with my situation?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU- adults, Flight RN peds/neo.
I'm currently working on my RN, but aspire to become CRNA down the road. I was unable to join the military after a back surgery just after high school b/c of rods and screws that are in my back...Would a military CRNA program accept me with my situation?

Not sure, maybe you could contact a HEALTHCARE military recruiter and ask what the current rules are......

good luck

c.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CVICU.
This is accurate.

If you have questions let me know, I am in the phase I right now,

c.

In what ways is the USAGPAN school way harder than other CRNA programs?

I just did an accellerated nursing program for BSN and it was intense. It was a 12 month program and we had 3 clinicals a week with 21 semester credits our third semester, not exactly a piece of cake. Im just wondering what the work load is during your phase one. How many days a week do you have class and for how many hours a day? You are on a semester basis? Do you get semester breaks? How many classes per semester? How many hours of class/study time do you put in a week? Is class attendance mandatory or could you study during classtime? Funny question but I do better studying on my own rather than daydreaming and sitting still for 8hours at a time being talked to in class. Is it an exam a week or something? In my BSN accellerated we regularly had 3 exams in the same week, all high stakes cause our grade was 4 exams nothing else. Im having a hard time imagining its harder but everyone says it is. Not sure about my case cause I love math and science better than nursing questions so I hope to have a pleasant suprise but bet it will suck everybit as much as everyone says.

I passed MEPS and they are sending my app to boards for nov 17 for army reserves but my master plan is the usagpan school in a couple years. Any insight would be awesome. thanks

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU- adults, Flight RN peds/neo.
In what ways is the USAGPAN school way harder than other CRNA programs?

I just did an accellerated nursing program for BSN and it was intense. It was a 12 month program and we had 3 clinicals a week with 21 semester credits our third semester, not exactly a piece of cake. Im just wondering what the work load is during your phase one. How many days a week do you have class and for how many hours a day? You are on a semester basis? Do you get semester breaks? How many classes per semester? How many hours of class/study time do you put in a week? Is class attendance mandatory or could you study during classtime? Funny question but I do better studying on my own rather than daydreaming and sitting still for 8hours at a time being talked to in class. Is it an exam a week or something? In my BSN accellerated we regularly had 3 exams in the same week, all high stakes cause our grade was 4 exams nothing else. Im having a hard time imagining its harder but everyone says it is. Not sure about my case cause I love math and science better than nursing questions so I hope to have a pleasant suprise but bet it will suck everybit as much as everyone says.

I passed MEPS and they are sending my app to boards for nov 17 for army reserves but my master plan is the usagpan school in a couple years. Any insight would be awesome. thanks

The Army CRNA program is "front-loaded", so we do 12 months classroom/simulation/cadavear lab; then 18 months OR work. Right now, our schedule is 5 days a week, roughly 0800-1430 (it can be longer or shorter). We have 60 tests the 1st year (which is about a test a week, sometimes 2 tests a week).

Class is mandatory (We are being paid to attend). We have 2 "PT tests a year" which you must pass. Study time varies greatly from individual to individual. Some prefer group studying other not. Now that we are 5 months into the program, I have settled into my pattern, which is studying 3 days before the upcoming test.....it is working for me. I am not killing myself reading everything in sight.....this is a marathon, not a sprint.....it's also my 9th yr of Graduate school.. . (I am sure most people study ALOT more than me). That being said, alot of the material is "on a cellular level", so if you have had cellular biology or molecular biology you are set, otherwise.....it is a learning curve (in addition to learning how to intubate, do blocks, lines, etc).

In what ways is the USAGPAN school way harder than other CRNA programs?

Having never been to CRNA school before, I can not tell you how it compares (in difficulty) to other civilian programs. I can tell you it is one of the best Graduate experiences I have had. I highly recommend it. Because the Army is "vested" in your success in the program, they put tons of $$$ into training you for a very autonomous role.

Good luck with your board!!!

I hope this helps!! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hello... I am also interested but havea few questions I was hoping some that are experiencing or have experienced the program can answer..

In this post one said, "In what ways is the USAGPAN school way harder than other CRNA programs?

Having never been to CRNA school before, I can not tell you how it compares (in difficulty) to other civilian programs. I can tell you it is one of the best Graduate experiences I have had. I highly recommend it. Because the Army is "vested" in your success in the program, they put tons of $$$ into training you for a very autonomous role."

What are the admission requirements to get in? I have one year left of my BSN program and want to make sure I take all the correct steps post graduation.

Is it a set four years of service you must give once you are done? Do you live on base while attending USAGPAN school? How much is your monthly stipind..? What happens if you get a low grade on a test? are you allowed to retake, or do they kick people out of the program?

I am mostly a "B" student, but work incrediably hard, best from hands on training... I do think this would be the best option for me, but an questioning what other steps I need to take to apply and prepare myself.

What would you say are the pros and what are the cons of the program..? The military will pay 100% of your tution? do they give you a signing bonus..? I will graduate with 42,000 of undergrad debt.. should I look into signing with becoming a RN in the military first? I just dont want to be shuffled off though and not recieve ICU training..

Thank you for your help and insight! You all inspire me!

Alli

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU- adults, Flight RN peds/neo.
Hello... I am also interested but havea few questions I was hoping some that are experiencing or have experienced the program can answer..

In this post one said, "In what ways is the USAGPAN school way harder than other CRNA programs?

Having never been to CRNA school before, I can not tell you how it compares (in difficulty) to other civilian programs. I can tell you it is one of the best Graduate experiences I have had. I highly recommend it. Because the Army is "vested" in your success in the program, they put tons of $$$ into training you for a very autonomous role."

What are the admission requirements to get in? I have one year left of my BSN program and want to make sure I take all the correct steps post graduation.

I have listed the website with the specs on other posts....but google usagpan and you will get the website with the reqs. GRE 1000, GPA 3 something, at least 1 yr ICU experience.....but I would have at least 4 yrs under my belt, IMO.

Is it a set four years of service you must give once you are done? Do you live on base while attending USAGPAN school? How much is your monthly stipind..? What happens if you get a low grade on a test? are you allowed to retake, or do they kick people out of the program?

A 100% tuition is paid and you owe 4.5 yrs payback and it will go up to 5? when they switch to a DNP. No, you don't have to live on-base, you can live whereever you choose. Your monthly pay depends on your rank and yrs of service, check the military forum on this webpage for more info on that.

If you score below an 80 on a test, that is bad. You have to go for weekly counseling sessions and teaching from the instructors. Anything below an 80 in graduate school is considered "failing". You may be required to take the "comprehensive final" is you score too low on tests in a subject. We just had one student "not meet the academic requirements......". It is tough.

I am mostly a "B" student, but work incrediably hard, best from hands on training... I do think this would be the best option for me, but an questioning what other steps I need to take to apply and prepare myself.

Most important is "YEARS of EXPERIENCE". Do yourself a favor and don't apply until you are reallllllly comfortable in critical care. Seriously. You will be running codes and in charge of airways, so.......know what to do when things start going south.

What would you say are the pros and what are the cons of the program..? The military will pay 100% of your tution? do they give you a signing bonus..? I will graduate with 42,000 of undergrad debt.. should I look into signing with becoming a RN in the military first? I just dont want to be shuffled off though and not recieve ICU training..

For CRNA school, there is NO sign-on bonus.....your bonus is going to CRNA school without tuition. If you sign on now, there is no garauntee you will be assigned to an ICU in the Army. If you take a sign-on bonus, you can not go to CRNA school until your "payback" for the bonus is completed........your choice.

Thank you for your help and insight! You all inspire me!

Alli

I might try to get a job in the civilian world (critical care) then transition to Army.......IMO

good luck,

c

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

Hello -- just registered to this forum because it looked like a great place to get information other than the school websites, from real people involved. Any advice / information would be greatly appreciated!

I am 23 years old, graduated from the University of Florida's BSN program in May 2009, and currently working at the NF/SG VA here in Gainesville, FL. I have wanted to pursue a career as a Nurse Anesthetist for years now and have been excited about the USAGPAN program at Fort Sam Houston ever since I first heard about it. The VA has an Emplyee Incentive Scholarship Program (EISP) that I've been told helps substantially with costs of tuition and books. Anyone heard of this program and have any comments about it, like how much it actually helps cover compared to the total cost?? What is the total cost??

I have finally reached the time for applying for the class that will begin in June of 2011 and am trying to get the ball rolling ASAP! Since I am a VA employee, and plan to continue to work for the VA after graduation (as opposed to be active Army or military), my questions are more directed towards that part of the program. I have asked many people and also did hear that they only accept about 4 VA nurses for each class but to hear that they only receive about 10 applications is very encouraging! I wonder how accurate that is??

Currently I am working in the MICU and by the time I (hopefully) will be beginning the USAGPAN program will have 2 years of ICU experience. One of the topics I'm hoping for some feedback about is what people think about beginning this program with just 2 years ICU experience. Will that be enough time for me to be comfortable and successfully complete the program? I know the minimal requirement is 1 year, but I'm also very aware of the word minimum! Anyone completed the program or currently enrolled with students with 2 or less years of ICU experience?? Thoughts??

Has any one applied to this program, not been accepted, and applied again for the following year? I've considered doing that if I am not accepted the first time...just wondering if any one else has done that or considered it...?

I'm sure I will have many many more questions throughout this process, but these are just my preliminary ones....THANKS again for any and all responses!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU- adults, Flight RN peds/neo.

You might want to google "nurse anesthesia" and go to the military forum. There are different threads on VA students in the USAGPAN program. Currently, we have 4 students and I think there are 4 starting in June '10.

My two cents, .....I didn't realize" how little ICU experience I had", until I had > 5yrs experience under my belt. But thats just me.

Just remember.....you will be running your codes, you will be the airway expert. Be sure your nursing skills are secure.......

current USAGPAN student,

Up Vote Up Vote ×
You might want to google "nurse anesthesia" and go to the military forum. There are different threads on VA students in the USAGPAN program. Currently, we have 4 students and I think there are 4 starting in June '10.

My two cents, .....I didn't realize" how little ICU experience I had", until I had > 5yrs experience under my belt. But thats just me.

Just remember.....you will be running your codes, you will be the airway expert. Be sure your nursing skills are secure.......

current USAGPAN student,

Hi olderthandirt2,

I find your responses really informative. I am still a few years away from CRNA school, but I am exploring my options. I was wondering if you could elaborate on how bad the students that failed out did. Everyone who is accepted into the program is the best out of the acceptance pool. I assume all these people are smart and hard working individuals. If the army offers support and remediation how do people fail out? This would be a big fear of mine in entering the Army nurse anesthetist program. I think of myself as a hardworking, intelligent fellow, but I am sure all the students who didn't make it through the program thought highly of themselves as well. Thanks for your time.

Baxter31

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hey olderthandirt2. I just have a few questions for you about the program. I am in the AF and work in the PACU. They will except this for the program, but I am just wondering how far behind everyone else I will be...please message me if you don't mind. Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Dear VA RN

I have 15 yrs of ICU experience and GPA 3.5. How high should my GRE be to gain admisson.

Thank you

Up Vote Up Vote ×

How is your experience in the Military CRNA school. I am a VA RN and looking forward to applying. How can I plan my transition ?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment