ShapeShifterBM

Lunah could you tell me some of the examples how the PA and NP roles are different in the Army? I am curious because that or CRNA is the advanced practice path that I might end up taking.

Just FYI the Army is not accepting anymore ADN nurses. They changed it last year. When I was going to apply to the Army the Healthcare recruiter said that they require a BSN now. I just talked to them recently and he said that they are full this fiscal year for RN's, even in the specialties like OR and ICU. So my plan is to apply in Oct-Nov for the new fiscal year. He also said that they are not really taking any new grads or Strap, just experienced nurses only. Nate RN, BSN CCRN-CMC

Thanks guys for your replies so far. wtbcrna good question right now I have alot of student loan debt and I am wanting to get rid of some of it and I figure going the reserve route would help with that. I also have considered just going straight into CRNA school through the military as well. I just want to have my t's crossed and i's dotted before applying. I really want to be prepared so I need some chemistry classes and I need GRE and want my CSC to be competitive. Could I get loan repayment along with school being paid for and a full salary (AD)? I do read alot of the posts on nurseanethesia.org forum as well.

hello everyone i would like to thank all of you ahead of time for your replies, this is going to be a long post. i am interested in joining one of the branches of the military as a rn. my interest in the military is threefold: 1) i think it is an honor to care for our men and women who courageously serve our country. 2) i am interested in the army reserves and possibly active duty. 3) i am also in interested in the usagpan (crna) program. currently, i am a critical care nurse with 3.5 years experience and i have my ccrn and cmc specialty certifications. i will be finishing my bsn by december of this year. i did finally contact a army health care recruiter and spoke to him briefly. here is a list of questions that i asked him along with his answers. i would appreciate any feedback from you guys in the army as well as other branches (i will be contacting the navy and af as well). also are their any other questions i should be asking etc. is it possible to become a reservist if i have not completed my bsn? he said yes we take asn but perfer bsn will i get constructive credit for years as a rn i will most likely hit the 4 year mark before i join due to the application process? the recruiter said that my app would be forwarded to hr and they would decide. what is the length of commitment as a reservist? 3 years if i become a reservist and am ready to apply for usagpan, would i be eligible for direct accession to active duty without finishing my reserve commitment or are they intertwined? he said yes but would have to get it approved by higher ups. he said the way the army looks at is that you are advancing your education and we would not hinder you. how long is deployment as a reservist rn and to where? he said expect at least one deployment but he said they will ask for volunteers first and if the posts don't get filled you would have to go. he said deployment ranges from 6-12 months. from what i have been reading is that the army is really trying to keep deployments to 6 months for rn's is this true. how long is officer's training and what are the physical requirements (weight, height, physical fitness)? the recruiter said it was based on age and off the top of his head he didn't know. when i and if i join, how soon will officers training begin and will i receive any pay when i attend? he said i have up to a year to attend olbc in san antonio and is currently 26 days. as a reservist, how would it impact my civilian job and could they lay me off or terminate me because of mandatory requirement to attend one weekend a month and two weeks a year? they can't touch you legally would i qualify for student loan repayment what is the maximum that would be repaid? he said i would qualify for 50,000 in loan repayment what is the current bonus for rn's and are there certification bonuses as well? once i get my bsn they have a $60,000 bonus as well again thank you for your replies and feel free to share any info.