Regs for Active Duty Army 8A

just_cause, BSN, RN · Apr 20, 2009

Hi,
I am waiting for my orders for Regular Army (USAGPAN program) and I just found out my 8A indicator from Reserves is not valid in Regular Army (from my RFO)...........(Although, it is being sent to an LTC for review).
By email, I was informed by HSD that "you must have ADULT ICU hours ==1500 in the last 2 yrs."
--I have 4.5 yrs Adult ICU (2003-2007) and CCRN (Adults)
--Last 1.5 yrs in Peds/neo Critical Care Flight team and CCRN (Peds)
So, I am NO longer a Critical Care RN according to the Army. Hummm, is sure feels like I am when I intubate or put in chest tubes, lines, blah, blah, blah....
Does anyone have the "Regulation/requirments for 8A for Regular Army"?.....not the skill checkoff sheet.
Thank you very much
c.

Olderthandirt,

Sorry to hear that - you can still secure the ICU course slot for the future right?

Ok good question... took a bit to find.

It sounded like you were referring to the worksheet titled, "VERIFICATION OF CLINICAL COMPETENCIES FOR CRITICAL CARE NURSING SKILL IDENTIFIER {SI 8A)"

Found here www.usarc.army.mil/arcca/PDF/8a_compe.pdf>

This worksheet which used to evaluate whether an RN is eligible for the identifier. This is not just a work sheet it was deemed that it would be the official tool to standardize the eligibility for the identifier. The major general ie chief of the nurse corp stated it would be included as an appendix to the reg AR40-68 (which discusses the identifiers.. but not eligibility as that is now purely based on that appendix aka the worksheet you mentioned) so there is not an alternate to that worksheet as it is the regulation/standard/de facto.

v/r

JC

olderthandirt2 · Apr 21, 2009

JC,

Thank you for the info......I knew you would come through with great "Reg" information. Now I have to sift through the huge "reg 40-68" to see what it says.

What I am trying to find is the part concerning "Adult only" ICU experience as being the qualifier...........I had heard NICU didn't count, but I was unaware PICU was unacceptable too, AND that the Adult ICU experience had to be in the last 2yrs.

Thank you again,

c.

NursePamela · Apr 21, 2009

SO, can you not come in as ICU without "experience"? Or is it one of those things that if they are giving you extra rank due to experience that it must be the right experience?? Don't they ever have new grads in the ICU (training them first of course)??

just_cause, BSN, RN · Apr 21, 2009

NursePamela,

New nurses (new grads) can join the nurse corp with a course guarantee to attend critical care nursing to gain their additional identifier 8A. Prior to that you would 'likely' work in med surg but it will largely be dependent on where you show and their manpower needs, your goals, and you and your cdr working together given the given scenario. The course usually would occur after you have worked on station about a year or so - then you attend your course and come back.... Older has experience as a civilian nurse and wanted to join specifically in the realm of critical care nurse. Rank and skill identifier or area of concentration or two completely separate things.. lets say you were an infantry officer, a captain, got out of the army, got your BSN - you might have zero nursing exp but qualify to enter in as a CPT.. my 2 cents is DO NOT get caught up on the rank of entry.. LT pay quickly jumps up over the first 1.5 years.. it allows you to get your feet wet and truthfully LT years can be a great time.

v/r

NursePamela · Apr 21, 2009

So even new grads that come in with a guarantee for critical care still have to do med-surg??

It just seems to me that Older than dirt would qualify for critical care.

just_cause, BSN, RN · Apr 21, 2009

Nurse, the course guarantee means you get to do a future course in that specialty.... to give you the AOC or ASI...

Yes you would likely NOT start out directly in the ICU as a new grad nurse entering as a 66 series officer w/ no prior exp.

Older is MUCH more likely to be able to work with her CDR, give her exp and based upon the unit/manpower/situation of her gaining unit.

Having the ability to work in critical care isn't strictly based on the identifier- however not having it or exp would probably limit you.

olderthandirt2 · Apr 21, 2009

Actually, the 8A is more of a principle issue (and potiential ISP pay). I won't have time to participate in the Army Critical Care course or be allowed to after I access......as stated in the branch orders (RFO) of the CRNA contract. So it is now or never, and since I have never done any nursing other than critical care....it is important to me.

NursePamela · Apr 21, 2009

Well, I can certainly understand and I hope you get it.