Reserves before AD?

just_cause, BSN, RN · Apr 9, 2009

do you want to attend the Army's (interservice) CRNA school specifically? Are you wanting to be in the military as a nurse - or trying to become a CRNA... which is the top priority for you? if you want a civilian CRNA school perhaps look at getting your BSN, gaining critical care exp, and applying/gaining acceptance to CRNA school and letting loan repayment help offset your cost of getting through school while maintaining flexibility.

Eileen2010 · Apr 9, 2009

I have 24 yrs critical care experience. BSN is 3 classes away, but the last one is only given in the spring, so next Jan thru May is the first chance I have to take it. I specifically want the USAGPAN program for a few reasons: quality of education, chance to give back to my country (now that my family is grown), military career as a CRNA with retirement benefits, chance to be paid while going to school for free.

My concern is signing on to the reserves now as a critical care nurse when what I really want is AD to USAGPAN. Could I be jeopardizing my plan for USAGPAN in June 2010 if I get deployed before then as a critical care nurse? Or is it true that there is a "student status" as my recruiter says and I would only be responsible for the one w/e a month, then go AD for school next year. I am not concerned with the payback time, since I hope to stay in until I retire.

Hope that makes it clearer. Still looking for input regarding the reserves.

Eileen

olderthandirt2 · Apr 9, 2009

"Eileen2010;3555604"

I have 24 yrs critical care experience. BSN is 3 classes away, but the last one is only given in the spring, so next Jan thru May is the first chance I have to take it.

Can you take this class elsewhere or online? Yes, you would run into a serious time crunch if your last class is weeks from the start of the CRNA program. The amount of paper work is phenomenal, and once you "access to active duty" you MUST attend OBLC before CRNA school starts .

I specifically want the USAGPAN program for a few reasons: quality of education, chance to give back to my country (now that my family is grown), military career as a CRNA with retirement benefits, chance to be paid while going to school for free.

Cool, good choice. I am starting USAGPAN this June.

My concern is signing on to the reserves now as a critical care nurse when what I really want is AD to USAGPAN. Could I be jeopardizing my plan for USAGPAN in June 2010 if I get deployed before then as a critical care nurse?

I am reserve ANC critical care........my biggest "hold up" is the paperwork form 368 (---conditional release from my reserve unit) regarding my reserve status transition to active duty. My application would have been finished 2 months earlier if not for this form. It is much more straight forward to go Active Duty than to go from Reserve to Active duty............I am living proof.

Or is it true that there is a "student status" as my recruiter says and I would only be responsible for the one w/e a month, then go AD for school next year. I am not concerned with the payback time, since I hope to stay in until I retire.

Yes, if you are "in school status" with the strap program, then you are "exempt from deployment". However, if you are in school on your own dime, I don't think you are protected. That being said, I know alot of RNs who really want to get deployed (volunteered) and arent going anywhere (unless your unit is up for its 5 yr rotation). So, signing up for reserve doesnt mean an automatic deployment----the tempo has slowed.

Hope that makes it clearer. Still looking for input regarding the reserves.

The real issue here (I think), is that your recruiter is trying to fit in OBLC before the June CRNA 2010 class starts. You won't have time to go to OBLC after you finish your May 2010 class, meaning you will have to wait until 2011 to start CRNA---right? So, if you commission to reserves, then you could go to OBLC this summer or fall. I did that, but it is very hard to do if you are in school at the same time.........I did it, but scored poorly in my class, because OBLC is busy.

It is a viable option, but keep in mind that commissioning to reserves will take you roughly 4-6 months (from application completion to receiving orders.....and you can't go to OBLC without your orders), then you will have to drill, finally the "reserve conditional release 368" paperwork is an extra nightmare, so give yourself at least 3 months extra to get "released from your reserve unit" prior to your Active duty application.

good luck,

c.

P.S. my sponser in the USAGPAN program was also a reserve RN first, she also had trouble with her 368 (conditional release from reserves).......

olderthandirt2 · Apr 9, 2009

"I think I should wait until I hear from Northeastern this summer (application submitted already, don't know how long it takes to hear from them)."

It takes AGES to hear from them. When is the deadline? They usually wait until they have several applicants to conduct a "board", then I waited at least 6 weeks to have a written comfirmation.

c.

Eileen2010 · Apr 9, 2009

Thanks for the input. This is the kind of info I was looking for. I will not be using STRAP for school, only cash. I have been able to free up the fall semester by taking a class this summer, so OBLC won't interfere with school. If reserves is the way to go to get OBLC done, then I guess my decision is already made.

Good luck in San Antonio. I hope to see you at the dinner in June 2010 when you leave and I arrive!

Eileen

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Apr 9, 2009

I understand where your recruiter is coming from.

-There is no guarantee that you will get in the OBLC reserve class in the spring.

-If you take a reserve commission you have to reapply for an active duty commission and go thru the whole process again. Speaking from experence, took 6-8 months to complete all the paperwork.

-Getting the 368 signed should not be an issue, but with only drilling 1 weekend a month if your Commanding Officer is not available it can drag on for several months.

-Unless the STRAP program has changed, if you use it you have a reseve commentment before you can go active.

-Going to the 2010 class would be hard to do, understand why but if you want this thru the Army your best chance of getting in will be 2011.

-See if you can find a point of contact at the school for advise and what your best option will be.

-Dont know if this important to you or not but you can not get an accession bonus for active if you are already comminssoned in the Reserves.

-Good Luck!

olderthandirt2 · Apr 9, 2009

I understand where your recruiter is coming from.
-There is no guarantee that you will get in the OBLC reserve class in the spring.
-If you take a reserve commission you have to reapply for an active duty commission and go thru the whole process again. Speaking from experence, took 6-8 months to complete all the paperwork.
-Getting the 368 signed should not be an issue, but with only drilling 1 weekend a month if your Commanding Officer is not available it can drag on for several months.
-Unless the STRAP program has changed, if you use it you have a reseve commentment before you can go active.
-Going to the 2010 class would be hard to do, understand why but if you want this thru the Army your best chance of getting in will be 2011.
-See if you can find a point of contact at the school for advise and what your best option will be.
-Dont know if this important to you or not but you can not get an accession bonus for active if you are already comminssoned in the Reserves.
-Good Luck!

I completely agree!

The commissioning process is 6-8 months, IF you can get a reserve commission now. (Reportedly, my recruiter said the RN qouta for FY2009 was nearly full). And going to OBLC will depend if your unit (if you are TPU) has the $$ to send you.....a new RN at my unit -396th Bco has to wait for OBLC, due to "funding".

There is no "accession bonus" to Active Duty, if you are going to USAGPAN. (I checked on that one :) ).

Concerning the 368---mine has been "lost" between USARC and HRC for the last month, so it certainly can be long process, but I agree getting your CO and Head RN at your Reserve Unit to write you a "Release Letter" is time consuming.

Jeck is right, contact someone at the school house at Ft. Sam......and ask their advice on your pathway for the next year. (check the USAGPAN website for the phone #)

Good luck,

C.

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Apr 10, 2009

I just reviewed the Nurse Corp site and packets for 2010 course are due last month with selection board this month.

olderthandirt2 · Apr 10, 2009

I just reviewed the Nurse Corp site and packets for 2010 course are due last month with selection board this month.

They have (in the last few years) had several selection boards throughtout the year for the June start. I was picked at the Jan/Feb '09 boards for June '09 start. It depends on whether they have enough applicants to fill the seats. My class....... looks like we have 37 Army, 5 AF, 4 VA.

Eileen, when I re-read these posts, all this info seems pretty discouraging for a 2010 start. But, I think if you put your energy into it, you can make it happen. :) Were you able to speak with anyone at the Schoolhouse at Ft. Sam (program director, or assistant)? Your recruiter is probably your best bet for your timeline. Have you taken the GRE or set an appt to speak with the director of anesthesia at a phase II site, for your letter of recommendation?

I am sure you have probably done this, but download the application from the USAGPAN site and hammer through the steps.

http://www.dns.amedd.army.mil/crna/index.htm

Good luck, you can make this happen.. You can PM me for any questions..

c.

Eileen2010 · Apr 11, 2009

I am in the middle of ALL the steps of applying. My recruiter is setting up appts everywhere! Next stop is Walter Reed for my physical, daily visits to the gym to get my 2 mile run down to the appropriate time, studying for GREs in 3 weeks but practice tests look promising.

I am determined to make this work somehow. Thanks to all for the infoand encouragement.

Eileen

olderthandirt2 · Apr 11, 2009

I am in the middle of ALL the steps of applying. My recruiter is setting up appts everywhere! Next stop is Walter Reed for my physical, daily visits to the gym to get my 2 mile run down to the appropriate time, studying for GREs in 3 weeks but practice tests look promising.
I am determined to make this work somehow. Thanks to all for the infoand encouragement.
Eileen

For the GRE, take as many online simulated tests as you can.....it made a HUGE difference for me (I took 6 online simulated GRE tests and raised my score with each one ....and I didn't do any algebra on the test--too time consuming).

good luck!

c.