bradleyclose

Yes, I have been in contact with multiple recruiters. The HPSP is still there and according to them and some of my CRNA friends in the AF, will never go away. It may be limited and become more competitive. In the next fiscal year they will delegate and publish how many open slots there are for the HPSP for NA. Thanks for the input though.

The HPSP program is continually there, but there are no more slots this fiscal year.

I think right now there is a greater number willing then their is supply of spots so the competition has increased. I have not looked at the Army, are the compensations about the same as the Air Force?

That helps a lot. I have been working with a different recruiter than my assigned one by geographical location and as soon as we get permission to proceed, I have everything ready to go. Unfortunately, our program does a mock disaster OR simulation (well many of them) and during this training, we recertify for ACLS and PALS so I have had to let them expire. I have kept my CCRN up to date and other certifications. I have been to West Africa on medical trips. My undergraduate GPA was a 3.9 and mine now is a 3.6. I think i have a strong application overall. Its just a matter of time. Would you say that you have been financially compensated well for your time compared to civilian CRNA's (I know about all the different incentives, but just overall). I am NOT doing this for the money, but instead my lifelong desire to serve in the military and get the best training possible.

Its 4 months difference b/c VCU is one of 8 schools or so in the USA that offers the combined degree: meaning that while we are doing our MSNA, we take consecutive DNAP courses. However, if you do the DNAP after, it is the full time. I hope this makes sense. VCU's didactic load is ridiculous, probably why other schools rank it so well (students still manage to do DNAP qualifications)

First off, consider what the US News rankings mean: nothing (I know I argued it earlier). Those rankings are based on accreditation and then they take surveys and have each of the schools administration fill them out based on other schools they have visited or observed. It is 90% subjective. However, with some schools in the news lately because of poor judgement, they deserve to be at the bottom. You need to look at the faculty. Are they tenured professors with years and experience, both didactically and clinically and still have the DRIVE to learn? Or are they graduates that did well and were invited back to teach. Look at the rigor of the basic courses (you want them to be difficult): physiology, pharmacology, and chemistry. Look at the sites where they go. Sometimes when the sites have anesthesia residents, you are NEVER in a room by yourself so your quick judgement skills are halted. Things of this nature that may be hard to find are some good indicators. Most important, you are the best indicator. If an ICU nurse just does something b/c that is what the order is and does not know the physiology, physics, and pharmacology behind it, then that is a poor indicator. EVERYTHING you do, ask yourself 'Why I am doing this?" (even for simple things like, why did I grab THAT syringe (think about physics and pressure), why is the HOB at 30 degrees, why and how is the pulse oximeter the most important assessment finding tool ever invented?). Just some ideas, haha.

I would agree with you, but VCU has been the top NA school in the country for 5 years. The reason why the military school is ahead on the list is due to alphabetical order. I am confident in my skills and know that I will be an independent provider. I respect the military schools, but there is much to consider (especially why any how the schools are ranked). Thanks for the input, it really helps.

The reason I am searching this out now is so that "omission and commission" does not happen. I don't want to leave someone high and dry even if I am never returning to the area to practice. I just have to figure out how to get into the AF. And if its not an option come 2016, then I will have made back up plans.

Okay, I am now learning that it is very competitive. I am at a GREAT program. What are some ways to make myself a competitive applicant in the AF?

@ wtbcrna : So you are saying it would better to pursue it in the summer months when the numbers drop? I do not graduate until December 2015 with my MSN and will have 3 months left for my DNAP. Any suggestions on when to commission and when to be very persistent?

Can anyone tell me the current need for CRNA's in the AF? I am planning on commissioning sometime before I graduate, but not sure why my nurse recruiter is not very good at returning emails or phone calls. Thanks