Prior military medical wanting to become a crna

[Easlyn12]

Good morning everyone,

I am new to the allnurses website so this is a first for me. I just had a few questions about getting into an icu as a new nurse and then going onto CRNA school. First I just got accepted into the nursing program of my choice and will finish in 2018. Will my military experience in medical give me a better chance of getting into an icu as a new nurse? I have my MA and CNA certifications along with BLS, ACLS. What else should I do to ensure a spot as a new grad? Lastly, what are some good tips for getting into CRNA school? I have some good contacts already. I worked in the OR as an anesthesia technician while in the navy so I have some good contacts from there. What are some others thing I could do to make my package stronger?

Thanks for all the advice!

[anchorRN, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN]

What was your job in the military? Medic? Corpsman? I'm a Navy Nurse (ICU) and each year the Navy cannot fill the quotas for their CRNA program and begs Active Duty Nurses with at least a year of ICU experience to apply (this does not apply to civilian). Have you thought about commissioning after you finish your BSN? Assuming you dont have a medical record full of VA claims you'd probably get to come back into the service. The commitment for the Navy's CRNA program is at least 8 years (counting the almost 3 years of school for DNP) and you must do it at Uniformed University of the Health Sciences. To be accepted must have 1 year of ICU, and completion of a graduate level Biochemistry class with a B or better. The navy will pay for it all (well technically they tap into your GI Bill), and then you owe 6 years after the school. You can PM me for more info if you want. I'm not a CRNA nor do i desire to work an OR as I round out my career (I'm already almost 40) but I am quite familiar with the program and know several who have or are doing it.