as1013

If you don't mind me asking, what branch of the military came to speak with you all?

Can any SRNA/CRNA attest to the quality of the clinical education provided by your program or others? I haven't seen this topic discussed recently or conversations are more in general about what to look for in a school vs. naming specific schools that provide high quality clinical experiences. I've gathered a potential school should stress independence, have CRNA only/military rotations, large amount of regional blocks (>100), average >10 central line insertions, etc. Furthermore, I was shocked to find out that some schools send students to sites that don't allow SRNAs to perform epidurals/spinals or not allowed to perform lines. I've even heard of situations that programs tell students to count simulated central line insertions and if you watched someone else do the procedure.

Wtbcrna, Sir, what civilian programs would you recommend?

SRNA4U, 1. Do you have any information regarding CRNA bonuses in the AF Reserve? 2. From my research, it seems that new grad CRNA salaries start anywhere from $120-140k. I've heard that you can expect an increase of about 5% per year. Does this seem like a fairly common salary practice from what you've gathered so far?

A member can apply for palace chase 6mos before DEROS with separation date equal to DEROS (if DOS and DEROS are different); apply 1 yr out if DEROS and DOS are the same (member would separate 6mos before this date). I haven't applied yet, I'm still trying to decide on how I want to move forward. Where do you work?

Wtbcrna, Do you have any information on case numbers for USUHS and USGPAN ( ie number of ASA 3/4 pts, a-lines, central lines, etc)? Also, I've talked to a few ologists who claim crnas are great for healthy pts and "routine" cases, but they say their training makes a difference with sicker pts and if an emergency arises. I am aware of crna only locations who don't have ologists around and I'm sure may encounter/handle these situations. What are your thoughts on this viewpoint. From what you've seen, are crnas, in general, getting as much exposure to ASA 3+ as anesthesiologist residents during training?

Wtbcrna, I've attempted to contact Lt Col Todd about the direct accession program, but I have not heard a response yet so I will pose my questions to you. My background is as follows: I have a cumulative GPA of 3.3, science GPA of 3.7, and BSN GPA of 3.81. I will take the GRE in April and biochemistry soon after. My ADSC ends Aug 18, but I'll either attempt to gain civilian ICU experience by moonlighting or leaving the USAF (palace chase Apr 17). If I get out, my plan is to apply to USUHS for direct commissioning. 1. Although one year of critical care experience is required, how many years are preferred or averaged by accepted students? 2. Can you elaborate more on a typical range of GPAs and GRE scores of accepted students? 3. Do civilians compete in the same capacity for the direct entry/commissioning programs as active duty applicants, or is it more/less competitive? Additionally, do prior service civilian applicants have more of an affinity to return in their previous branch of service if they prefer? 4. The AY15 PSDM highly recommends the CPAN, CEN, or CCRN certifications. Does one hold more merit than the other, especially due to the critical care requirements new definition? 5. Through the USAF and AFIT, I'd be looking at a minimum of 7 years before I could begin nurse anesthesia school. Do you have any additional insight or suggestions to how I can begin sooner? By the way, I'm in the APU at JBER. I met one of your fellow co-workers and USUHS classmates. The anesthesia providers there are great and they're always willing to help.

ok thank you

wtbcrna, I know this may not be the correct forum for this question, but I wanted to ask you a question directly related to my family member. He has prostate cancer was told he is a gleason 7. He also has sleep apnea and the oncologist is recommending that he not have a prostatecomy because of the fear of anesthesia with sleep apnea. Have you known of any situation that would prevent a patient from receiving general anesthesia due to sleep apnea?

ok. thanks.

wtbcrna, Another question for you: If I have a four year commitment, get accepted into the Critical Care Fellowship after my first two years, will I owe the AF only two years after the fellowship (totaling five years) or an additional year after the fellowship plus the two year PCS commitment (totaling 6 years)?

Besides considering the average number of clinical hours, cases, and clinical rotation units, in your opinion what other factors should a potential NA student consider in a NA school? Is there anything in particular to focus on to ensure the school will prepare you to be an independent provider? I've looked at the US News rankings of best schools but just wondering what current NAs and NA students feel about the topic?

Alright. Thanks.

Yes, my prior time is AD. The bases I included on my list were Elmendorf, Travis, WPAFB, Nellis, and Lackland, respectively. Do you know of the past/present opportunities for part-time ICU employment in these areas (on/off base)? And, if I understand you correctly, you would recommend part-time employment, but if I don't have enough ICU hours after a year or two, you would recommend applying to the fellowship given the first opportunity?

For wtbcrna (anyone else knowledgeable about AF CRNAs), I've been following your posts for sometime now and I have another question for you if you don't mind. As mentioned before, I will commission next year as a 2LT in the AF and join the nurse corps. I will have around five years of prior enlisted service and will incur a four year commitment due to NECP. My goal is to become a CRNA. With all things considered (i.e. military politics/deployments/salary/service commitments, quality of schools, etc), which route would you recommend or which route would you take if you were in my position in hopes to receive the best quality education in the shortest time frame to become a CRNA? A. Apply for ICU fellowship/AFIT for NA school when eligible (I understand this will take at minimum around 6 years) B. Try to palace chase after a few years, get civilian ICU experience, and apply to NA school C. Apply for ICU fellowship, get ICU experience,and separate from military after approximately five years; then apply to civilian NA school D. Work as med-surg nurse for entire four-year commitment while attempting to moonlight for ICU experience; then apply to either civilian NA school or AFIT for CRNA E. Other suggestions?? Thanks

Wtbcrna, Do you have any more advice for new AF nurses pursuing the CRNA career field?

For WTBCRNA or anyone else with insight: I am also interested in the CRNA career field and have been researching possible pathways of obtaining that goal with the Air Force. I am currently active duty and will be graduating nursing school soon through the NECP program. Correct me please if I am wrong, but through my research I've gathered, the two main ways to gain critical care experience after coming into the Air Force as a new nurse is through the AFIT fellowship or moonlighting. There may be a small possibility to get reassigned to the ICU after some time, but it's dependent upon a number of factors. At the very minimum, going through the AFIT fellowship would require 5-6 years of service before entering a CRNA program. I have a few questions that I would like to ask: 1. How feasible is it to moonlight after coming in as a new nurse (regarding work schedule, exercises, military obligations, etc)? 2. Is there a specific number of hours required to equate to a year of critical care experience, or is a year full-time in the ICU and a year part-time in ICU equivalent for application purposes? Although if will gathering my experience part-time I would definitely want work more than a year to become familiar and proficient dealing with that level of patient care/responsibility. 3. Do you know anyone who moonlighted in a civilan critical care position while active duty to gain experience that eventually was accepted into the CRNA AFIT program? If so, did he or she have any comments/concerns about that path?

Thank you for your response. I understand I must get experience as a floor nurse, but I would really like to move into an advance practice position (np, crna) as soon as possible and I would just like to achieve that goal in a timely manner and make the smartest financial decisions on the way. Any advice on this or just being a nurse in the AF would be greatly appreciated.

Hello all. I'll be graduating nursing school next May through NECP and had a few questions. I'll incur a four year commitment after school. 1. If I completed an NP program without AFIT, what would be the process to move into that area opposed to staying in med-surg/OB? Would this be possible if I was receiving a multi-year bonus (after my original 4 year commitment)? 2. After acceptance into an AFIT program (ie NP or CRNA) and completion of school, are any type of bonuses issued while serving the repayment period? 3. How possible is it to move from med surg/OB to ICU after a few years without going through the fellowship?