shirleyTX

I have to say I am so thankful for sites like these. Yes, the military world is very confusing but I feel the responses have been very helpful. I understand the different points of views and feel I have gained a better perspective on things. I will definately ask VERY specific questions dealing with this subject. I love nursing first and foremost. I do feel however, if I am unable to function as an NP then I will probably not join. It's not that I dislike floor nursing, but it has been a struggle from the beginning to complete NP school and I feel once I graduate I should start developing those skills and responsibilities. I am curious though, are there not clinic type settings that are staffed with NP's like for Veterans Affairs and so on? Are these settings staffed with civilians only? Again, let me thank everyone for their responses. Joining the military is a huge decision for me like for so many others, not only will it be a life change but a huge personal sacrifice from being away from my son. I just want to know if the sacrifice is warranted.

Ahhh, I see...tricky tricky:nono:...These are the hidden aspects that I'm so glad all of you are bringing up. I would have never thought about it in that light. Well, to answer the above post I have been speaking with a health care recruiter, she is an RN. I also looked for a specific MOS for adult and found none, but did not find one for mental health or women's health as well which are actually listed on the army website. The only practitioner specified is family though and CRNA. When you talk about the contract..how should it read? I'm assuming it should read adult nurse practitioner, would it also have my job description listed? There are specialties listed, but I'm just curious if adult would be under community health??

If you could elaborate more on this that would be helpful. What practices have you seen? All of these responses are great and being an outsider to the military world, it is nice to have an unbiased opinion. I'm sure the recruiter isn't going to offer up this information so your commens are much appreciated. Thanks

Thank you JDCitizen for your response. My semester starts back in a week and I'm going to ask my professor if they know of any military that are in advanced nursing roles that I can talk to. I know they army has MANY NP opportunity but like I stated before, are posted on civilian websites. I will continue researching this and if I hear of anything else I'll def. post it. I guess what started this thread is that I read on here on another post that the army only uses family, mental, and CRNA's but excluded adult np's. According to the recruiter, this is not true...

Thank you olderthandirt2 for your response. I emailed the health care recruiter (Cpt. Amy Mcintosh, Nashville, TN) today and specifically asked again to clarify any confusion, "Does the army use adult np's, I know that family, mental health, and CRNA's are utilized but have not read about adult np's?" Her response was yes they are used. I hope this clears up any questions about adult np's in the army.

Hello, Wondering if someone could clarify what they have heard about adult nurse practitioners in the army. I read on this site that the army does not use ANP's. I have spoken with a health care recruiter about possibly joining when I graduate (2010) and she said that the army DOES use adult np's. She said they can be deployed but are usually in leadership roles and see patients in clinics. Also, curious why on USjobs they have multiple posting for adult NP's with the army medical corp??? Any response would be greatly appreciated. Thanks:nurse:

I completely understand how you are feeling. I went through the exact same thing. My first semester 4.0, 2nd semester- 1 B- summer 1-B, last semester 4.0 = graduating w/ 3.87. After the first B I thought all hopes of getting into CRNA school was null, but being on this site for over3yrs, from what I've read and researched, most people DONT have 4.0 when they get in. THey DO have high GPA's but every CRNA you see isnt walking around with a 4.0. Nursing school was awful b/c it seemed like ever grade counted, but if you read from past posts, many have gotten in with Good luck..:)

From what I gather from this forum, it seems that it is the norm to give antihypertensive meds with SBP

Just FYI, I've looked into the csc (cardiac surg. cert.) and you have to have one of the other certifications (CCRN, or other specialized certi.) before you can apply to sit for this exam, there is also one for cardiac medical (CMC), but dont know much about this one though. good luck

I know, for myself, my BSN nursing program wasn't a breeze either. No, I'm sure it can't compare with CRNA school, but starting nursing school with the hopes of becoming a CRNA in the future is just torture in school. Even if B's are okay, if you've done your research you know the higher GPA, the higher the stats, only makes you more appealing. I know in my situation every grade seem like my life depended on it. For the next 2 years of just nursing, every test, careplan, and other crap will bring you closer or further away from your goal. TO me, this was the most stressful 2 years I'd ever been through. My relationship with my husband was extremely stressful and strained. It seemed like all I ever did was study, I was tired all the time and so on, and always in a *itchy mood. We only have one child that was a toodler through this time, but still very stressful. I believe if you can get through regular nursing school and survive, you probley can get through CRNA school. I am still recovering (HAHA) from nursing school, started working as RN and will probley apply to CRNA school in 2008. I am in no rush to be in that situation again RIGHT NOW. I can't for the day to come where I will be sending my paperwork off to CRNA school, but at the same time I CAN. Take care and best wishes

Boards were fine. I took it May 26th and found out in 48hrs(TX) that I passed. I work at Parkwest and really like it. The new grads with me are very nice and I really enjoy it. What school did you attend? I bet I have some of your class mates with me. Let me know, Shirley

I really wonder when people say that they are VERY interested in becoming a CRNA, then don't know hardly anything about the profession. The funny thing is that EVERYONE can state the starting pay??????? Sorry, I know I shouldnt write anything b/c I am not a CRNA or SRNA, but since being exposed to the profession in 2001, I've been preparing for that special day when I might be able to apply. The last 4 years in nursing school was very challenging, (even if not true) hoping never to get a B just so I might have a chance when I apply to CRNA school. Now that that hells over with, here comes GRE, more Chem. classes, and the hope to transfer into an ICU once I complete my 1st year as a new grad in cardio.. All this to become a CRNA. As you can see, there is so much preparation needed in becoming a CRNA, so maybe just doing basic research would help you. I know I'll probley get blasted for writing this, but as a hopefully SRNA one day, I know how hard I've worked and will have to work if I ever want to accomplish this goal and it really urks me when people "act" interested, but can't state the very basics as the differences b/t AA's and CRNA. I'm done, blast away

Since I was registered through the TX BON, it took 48hours and then it was posted on the website. Everyone in the new grad. program at work is from Tenn., and they said it was taking anywhere from 7-9days. Thats all I've been told though. Good Luck

I think its a long ways back. A lot of girls in our program had MIP's(minor in possession) alcohol or what have you, and they all had to fill out specific paperwork for that charge. Needless to say, they all were approved to sit for the boards, so just b/c you have a record doesnt mean you wont get approved, I think it just takes longer, more money, and an indept research of your history. I think its called a declatory form?

I went to nursing school at the university of texas - galveston, and sat for my boards in Knoxville, TN. I took the NCLEX last Thursday )I passed w/ 75 questions. When it comes to delegation, IMO, just know that noone except for the RN can teach, assess, handle unstable pts, when it comes to the NCLEX. I don't remember seeing alot of delegation, more prioritizing and patient teaching. I wouldn't stress too much over which states can do what b/c alot of the test focuses on "which one would you assess first" and others alike. Hope this helps. Shirley