Military CRNA

panpan · May 27, 2012

Coming from a military background, I would have to tell you to first talk to a military recruiter.. although recruiters do lie to you but at least they will do what they could to get into the program b/c they get money or have a quota to reach. Im glad you did research on all the benefits and everything sounds soo great! If something sounds soooo good, then you gotta think twice. Basic rule of thumb. And yes, your husband will get deployed. THey invested so much money in him, do you really think they wont use your husband for everything they can? US army has the #1 CRNA program in the nation. They are strict and not everyone can handle the stress and some people who have physical limitation are out of the picture. You gotta have recommendation letters, GRE, and 1 yr of ICU exp, and other requirements. Assuming he hasnt...he's gotta speak with a recruiter BEFORE even remotely thinking about moving. But anyways, i dont know what your husband's qualifications are...

Home Health Columnist / Guide · May 27, 2012

Moved to our Pre-CRNA Inquiry ...see threads here.

allnurses Guide · May 27, 2012

So my husband is considering joining the military to get his CRNA. We currently live in Fort Mill, SC and from what I have read, he would have to go to either Maryland or Texas. I am OK moving, however we do have an 11 yr old who is VERY happy where we are so we have considered him going to school himself and visiting frequently.
We have read about all the benefits of being paid while in school, having the education paid for, medical insurance, etc...but MY biggest fear is deployment. I couldn't imagine being away from him all the years for schooling and then have him deployed for a year or more.
Anyone have any advice- are the benefits truly worth it or are we missing something? Is there a very good chance of deployment?Does anyone live on the bases in Maryland or Texas and love it? We are very torn, so any advice from EXPERIENCED people, may help give us some insight. Thanks!!

1. The only military program that has direct-entry to CRNA school is the Army program, and those students goto the SanAntonio program.

2. The AF, Navy, and USPHS require you to have at least 2-3yrs at another duty assignment working as a nurse (usually ICU) before going to CRNA school.

3. CRNAs are the most highly deployed nurses in the military, if you don't like the idea of deployments consider USPHS with the IHS. In general the Army deploys for 6-12mo, and the Navy & AF for 6 mo. USPHS CRNAs don't generally deploy and if they do it is for weeks not months.

4. Geographical separations during school is a big stressor during school and can often lead to students losing focus and being dropped from CRNA school d/t grades etc.

5. Military CRNA schools are front loaded programs, so you spend your 1st 1-1.5yrs in the classroom and then usually move to another part of the country for clinicals (18mo). Then you usually move again after clinicals to a new duty assignment.

6. Speaking from experience: The longer you wait to move with your daughter the harder it will be. She might not like moving initially now, but when she gets to be in HS it will be a lot harder. I started CRNA school when my oldest daughter was going into her junior year of HS. She is still upset with me...lol.

rncandi01 · May 27, 2012

"They are strict and not everyone can handle the stress and some people who have physical limitation are out of the picture. You gotta have recommendation letters, GRE, and 1 yr of ICU exp, and other requirements. Assuming he hasnt...he's gotta speak with a recruiter BEFORE even remotely thinking about moving. But anyways, i dont know what your husband's qualifications are..."

Well, being qualified will probably most likely not be a problem. He has been an ICU nurse for almost 5 years, just helped open a new open heart unit and has his CCRN. He is very well liked and known as an outstanding employee, so letters of recommendation are no problem. He just needs to take the GRE. Very tough decisions to make!! I appreciate the input!

chudder · May 31, 2012

Direct accession to the Army would likely be the way to go. He would enter the Army and go directly to the United States Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing, earning a DNP after 3 years. 5 years commitment to follow. Even if he doesn't end up deploying, you should plan as though he will.

Think long and hard about this. You need to be 100% on board.

allnurses Guide · May 31, 2012

Direct accession to the Army would likely be the way to go. He would enter the Army and go directly to the United States Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing, earning a DNP after 3 years. 5 years commitment to follow. Even if he doesn't end up deploying, you should plan as though he will.
Think long and hard about this. You need to be 100% on board.

There are some things to consider about the direct accession program.

1. When I talked to the former program director for the Army program she stated the highest drop out rates came from the direct accession students. Which means you suddenly go from being nurse anesthesia student to a regular Army nurse, and can be deployed at anytime after that. You are stuck for at least 3yrs+ or whatever the minimum commitment time is for AD, but all initial military contracts are actually for 8yrs in some kind of combination (x yrs active and x yrs inactive if you decide to get out to equal 8 yrs in some capacity).

2. The Army has the longest deployments of any the services, and their CRNAs are some the most deployed in the Army nurse corps.

3. Without getting into bashing the Army contest I am still not a fan of how the Army treats their people after working with them on and off for over 10yrs.

chudder · May 31, 2012

There are some things to consider about the direct accession program.
1. When I talked to the former program director for the Army program she stated the highest drop out rates came from the direct accession students. Which means you suddenly go from being nurse anesthesia student to a regular Army nurse, and can be deployed at anytime after that. You are stuck for at least 3yrs+ or whatever the minimum commitment time is for AD, but all initial military contracts are actually for 8yrs in some kind of combination (x yrs active and x yrs inactive if you decide to get out to equal 8 yrs in some capacity).
2. The Army has the longest deployments of any the services, and their CRNAs are some the most deployed in the Army nurse corps.
3. Without getting into bashing the Army contest I am still not a fan of how the Army treats their people after working with them on and off for over 10yrs.

1- I recently asked if any segment of recent classes have had higher attrition rates. The only real "at risk" population is older students, specifically those over 40.

2- I do know that Army deploys their nurses longer, but I'm too new to have any info on how often we are deployed. I'll defer to your experience.

3- I'm curious to hear you expand on this...

As a civilian, I considered AF and Navy.. but the lack of a CRNA course guarantee sealed the Army deal for me.

rangersfanatic09 · Apr 8, 2013

I'm not an SRNA right now but I am a soldier and can tell you a little bit about how the Army runs. Like WTBCRNA, I too don't care for how the army treats their people, but I will say that how you are treated also depends a lot on your job. Soldiers in healthcare, aviation, Ranger Battalions, and Special Forces all tend to be treated better than the average ground pounders. As far as deployments go I'll say this much: I'm only a national guard soldier, however, BUT I've been activated and deployed TWICE in THREE years (one year each). The army pulls some extremely shady stunts when it comes to deployments now. The rule over the last few years has been has been (for active duty) that for every 12-months deployed a soldier will get 17-months state-side. This is no longer the case. The army has been using soldiers for approximately 9 to 11 month deployments (just shy of 12 months) and thus avoiding the 17-month stateside rule; therefore, the soldiers are deployable again WHENEVER the army feels it necessary. And don't be fooled by the whole "Guard/Reserve = one weekend per month and only two-weeks during the summer". Just remember, there's a reason why the army CRNA program is comprehensive.

Now, all of the negatives aside, I would still consider the program as a pretty amazing deal. You come out of a LONG program of schooling without having added one penny of debt to your name. Your commitment is only 4.5-5 years (depends on the year that you sign on the dotted line... be sure to actually look at that before signing) ; you're paid an officer's salary (having been enlisted and been able to make everything work was easy... officer's pay is more than generous), officer's quarters/housing (on base), and you get a LOT of experience that will set you ahead of the average graduate when you get out of the army and look for a civilian CRNA job.

Consider this: professionally it's the best deal around. Personally and family-wise, I'm not so sure. But that is up to the individual person. Honestly, my PERSONAL OPINION ONLY, you should look into the Air Force and Navy first and the Army as a last resort. Your life would be MUCH better in the Air Force, not so bad in the Navy, and the Army would take care of you but the deployment time and number of deployments would begin to get old REALLY fast. Like I said, that's just my take on things and coming from a soldier. Best of luck in your decisions and good luck in CRNA school! If you want to e-mail and go a little more in depth I can do that as well. Just let me know.