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I wear the 15-20 knee length compression socks. I was on call one night and got called in. When I was getting dressed, I forgot to grab compression socks and I could tell the difference at the end of the shift (and it wasn't even a full 12 like usual). I def recommend investing in several good pair.

I realize this is an old topic, but was anyone able to find someone to shadow in the Tampa (or surrounding) area?

Hi Ray, I moved forward with my plan to get my MSN while obtaining the required ICU experience for CRNA. I'm halfway done with the MSN program and I'm glad I did it. In a few short months, I'll begin applying to CRNA programs. Good luck with your transition to AD and pursuance of your education!

I flew civilian rotor before joining AD Air Force to fly. There are only 4 AD flying squadrons and there are oodles and oodles of reservist locations, so your odds are good if that's what you want to do. Your job is to turn the plane into a mobile hospital and your patients are generally stable. If you desire higher acuity patients, look into CCATT. Both have very time consuming training requirements and ongoing competencies, but as a reservist you have more say in what missions you take and when you will deploy.

Greetings everyone! I was wondering if anyone had any input regarding ICU requirements for CRNA admissions. I've looked at prior postings and didn't see anything recent. Most schools mention "ICU requirement" of 1-2 years along with their preference of a unit (SICU or the like), but none state full vs part time. I understand full is optimal and the aana only mentions "minimum of 1 year FT work experience or PT equivalence". So here's my actual question as well as my situation - Does the experience need to be 1 year of FT consecutively and does PT count at all? By the time of class start for my schools of interest, I will have 20 months of full time and 12 months of part time and broken up (11 months FT, 12 months PT, and 9 months FT again). If you just consider the time and hours, this meets the requirement for a 1-2 year minimum, but I wasn't sure if this is still acceptable. How firm are they on the time vs proving that you can manage critical patients, vasoactive infusions, etc.? I do intend to contact the schools to inquire, but I wondered if anyone had any personal experience or input. Also, how should I word it when I ask the school? I don't want to come across like I'm interested in only accomplishing the bare minimum of requirements. Thanks in advance!

I disagree that AD produces "half ass" providers. I know many who have completed advanced degrees while on AD. I not sure why it was assumed I'm AD as well. Georgetown has a clinical assist team for preceptors and sites and that's one thing I like about them as opposed to other programs. It's not a guarantee, but I've yet to find an idealistic program. Networking was mentioned previously. No correlation was implied on my part regarding facilities or preceptors, but while it may be "hell", knowing people certainly doesn't hurt.

Oh wow! Thanks for that feed back of the program. I wonder if it's because they were the first and potentially had kinks to iron out. I've looked on this site for reviews of all the programs I applied for. Unfortunately, there isn't much and what is here isn't current.

The school with the log on times won't allow me to begin until I return, which defeats the purpose of having something to combat boredom while deployed, but I understand and respect it. They assist with clinical placement, but I wouldn't begin clinicals until the 2nd year -- well after I return. They have the program I'm interested in (AG-ACNP) and that's Georgetown. The other school with AG-ACNP is Maryville. They don't have log in times but the clinicals are student driven. The other 3 schools I was accepted into vary with log in requirements, program lengths, etc. but they are all FNP. Not my preference, but I wanted options. As far as networking goes, I'm in the military which is a huge network in and of itself. If you don't know someone, someone you know will.

I'm leaning towards the program that does not require log in times. Clinical placement is student driven and that's my biggest concern. I could start when I return, but you have an abundance of time on deployments and I need something productive to do with my time. Last time, I lost a bunch of weight, watched a lot of Netflix, and counted a lot of rocks. I can't do that again. Clinical would begin a few months after I return, so I could get the bulk of didactic work done while I'm gone.

Thanks for the input! I made a spreadsheet for each school that included cost, any in person requirements or required log in times (all are online programs), length of the program, how many credits/clinical hours required, clinical placement, requirements for the program, and any extra notes. My top choice is the one that assists with clinical placement (only one) and it's located in an area where I have friends, so when I travel there, I won't be out extra costs for lodging. It's unfortunately the most expensive school (double what the others cost), but my main problem with it is there are required log in times. I'm deploying soon (they're aware of that) and I'll be on a totally opposite time zone from the USA and I won't always be available on a set schedule to log in. I don't want to be penalized for missing mandatory "class" times though. Especially since I'll be paying A LOT for the education. Having options is definitely a good position to be in, but I'm having a lot of problems deciding and I have to give an answer soon to reserve a spot!

Hi, I'm curious how others chose their school. I've been accepted to 5 programs and there are pros and cons to all of them. I've read other forums specific to the schools and there are good and bad things about them all, but that's expected. Thanks in advance!

Thank you for the replies! I'm quite positive I turned down the MGIB when I joined, so I believe the only thing available for me is 9/11. My intention was to use this for CRNA school when I will be a full time student. I'm in my last year of my ADSC and wanted to optimize on the time I have, since CRNA school is still a few years off, but not if it will blur things for me when that time comes. Especially since most CRNA programs are 30-36 months in length. It sounds like I should just wait. I've already taken two classes required for most CRNA programs (chem and statistics) and I didn't use TA. I just paid out of pocket so I wouldn't owe more time. I'm definitely going to discuss this with the education department but figured I'd get some good feedback here too. Thanks!

BLUF: Will the GI bill cover expenses for two MSN degrees? What is the cap on GI bill (is it monetary value, time limitation, or both)? Background: My career goal since RN school has been CRNA. I've been a nurse for 10 years (ICU experience early on, but not recent) and I'm currently AD AF. My plan is to transition to reserve next year, return to bedside to accomplish the ICU req. for CNRA school, and use the 9/11 GI bill for primary funding. So CRNA school would still be at least 2 years out, if not longer. So my thought process was to optimize that time span to pursue an online MSN. While I understand it won't help with the anesthetic component of CRNA school or shorten the program, I feel it would still be beneficial. At the very least, it gives me a back up plan instead of putting all of my eggs into the CRNA basket. On the flip side, it may give the anesthesia board the impression that I'm indecisive. Extra: Not interested in AFIT, MSN must be online as I'm TDY a LOT and I'm deploying AGAIN, single/no kids/financially stable; I do intend to speak with someone about this but using this as a resource too because I can Question: CRNA is my ultimate goal, so should I save the GI bill for that or will it assist with both? I know that I won't get housing currently since I'm AD and that's fine. All I really need covered is tuition for both programs. Any input or advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!