Rank when entering

razorshark · Aug 30, 2011

Could someone explain to me how ranking is determined? I just asked my recruiter to verify what rank I should be entering if all goes well. I will have my masters in healthcare administration and 7+ years of nursing. She told me with my Masters I will go in as an 0-2. I could have sworn she told me 0-3 when I initially starting talking to her.

If you are applying for the Nurse Corps, a Masters in anything other than an MSN for a clinical specialty will get you nothing upon entry. Constructive Grade Credit is 2 years for this.

Experience credit is 1/2 of total full-time RN experience in an in-patient clinical setting, all other experience is either not counted or determined on a case-by-case basis. 1/2 credit only goes to 6 years, after that it is day for day.

For those with over 6 years, simply minus 3 years. So, if you have 7 years of qualified experience, you would come in at the rank of O-3, Captain. 6 / 2 = 3 + 1 = 4 years, earning O-3.

Hope this answers your question.

v/r

Sharky

BTW: HP Recruiters do determine rank and submit for rank approval. HR validates.

Yammar · Aug 30, 2011

i spoke to Randolph upon entering to attempt to resolve all the Bull@@@@ my recruiter told me. Came to find out the highest the AF will bring in a new nurse is an 03 (this is without prior mil exp). I came in with many years experience and a MSN.

you get 1/2 credit for exp up to 4 years total (which puts you at a captain) then an additional 2 years credit towards 04, but you still can only start as an 03.

Rules are different for almost all other professions. Also, nurses wait much longer to promote to 04 than physicians, physical therapists, MSC or everyone with the lone exception being a Chaplain.

I was POd when I came in when I discovered that I had been mislead, but in the end I enjoy what I do and if given the chance again I would have signed on anyway!! because it is service before self and I had to remind myself of that along the way.

stephgor · Aug 30, 2011

My Record of Award of Entry Grade Credit from HRC and signed by the Chief of HRC gave 5 years 6 months constructive credit. 2 years for Masters Degree, 3 years for the 15 years experience as a nurse (this is the max that they will give any nurse no matter how much experience you have), and 6 months for passing CRNA boards many years ago. Hence 1.5 years for captain ( 7 years for captian on the army reserve end). Recruiters don't determine rank/grade.

CRF250Xpert · Sep 1, 2011

My Record of Award of Entry Grade Credit from HRC and signed by the Chief of HRC gave 5 years 6 months constructive credit. 2 years for Masters Degree, 3 years for the 15 years experience as a nurse (this is the max that they will give any nurse no matter how much experience you have), and 6 months for passing CRNA boards many years ago. Hence 1.5 years for captain ( 7 years for captian on the army reserve end). Recruiters don't determine rank/grade.

Off topic, but did you seriously join the military as a practicing CRNA? No offense if so, I just known 30 or so and worked side by side with them and none was ever a civilian 1st - to the contrary, they were counting the days to pay back the school commitment so they could go earn a living.

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Sep 2, 2011

True, most CRNA's in the military do not come in as one but I am in the Army with a CRNA who worked in the civilian side for years and came on active duty in Janurary.

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Sep 2, 2011

My Record of Award of Entry Grade Credit from HRC and signed by the Chief of HRC gave 5 years 6 months constructive credit. 2 years for Masters Degree, 3 years for the 15 years experience as a nurse (this is the max that they will give any nurse no matter how much experience you have), and 6 months for passing CRNA boards many years ago. Hence 1.5 years for captain ( 7 years for captian on the army reserve end). Recruiters don't determine rank/grade.

With the new pin on to Captain at 39 months, 5 1/2 years would give you constructive credit would give you 27 months Time In Grade (TIG) as a Captain. This would leave you appox 4 years before you would pin on Major. When you would to the Major board depends on the date of rank they give you the cut off date for the board. When I was in the reserves 2 years ago Majors where pinning in the 6 year time frame for TIG as a Captain same as active duty.

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Sep 2, 2011

It is not unusal for CRNA's to join the reserves. A large percentage of them had never been on active duty from the ones I served with when I was in the reserves. When they are mobilized it is for 90 days BOG and end up volunteer to stay for a second tour to obtain veteran status with the VA.

allnurses Guide · Sep 3, 2011

There are a few CRNAs that come in from civilian training, but it is a small percentage.

We make a decent living as CRNAs in the military, but it would have been nice of the AF not to have to make less than I would have staying an AF ICU nurse just because I am in my payback years.

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Sep 3, 2011

That is one of the drawbacks on the military paying for medical education that you recieve no or limited bonuses.

allnurses Guide · Sep 3, 2011

That is one of the drawbacks on the military paying for medical education that you recieve no or limited bonuses.

It is actually an AF oddity. No other service is taking a pay cut to become a CRNA.

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Sep 3, 2011

How do they decrease your pay?

allnurses Guide · Sep 3, 2011

How do they decrease your pay?

You lose your retention bonuses when applying and going to NA school. Which for me was 60-80k ( depending on how you do the math) and about 10k less a year now than if I would have stayed in ICU. I love my job, but I don't think having to take a pay cut to do it is right either. It is one of many reasons it is hard to get enough applicants to apply every year to AF NA school.