RN-->CRNA via AF/Navy

allnurses Guide · Sep 17, 2016

Hello I am a senior in college graduating this May (2017) and I am applying for accelerated BSN programs. I have been thinking about funding the ABSN through any special programs that come about from commissioning as an officer in either the Navy or AF. I am also still on the fence whether I want to do Active Duty or Reserves. I know you need 36 months of active duty to qualify for the GI bill (100%). My ultimate goal is to get my DNAP and become a CRNA.

1. How likely/possible/worth it is it to get 36 months active duty through the reserves?

2. I have heard it would be good to wait to commission (active duty) till I get a year experience in Critical Care in the civilian sector, so that when I do commission I could use the HPSP (AF) to pay for CRNA school while getting payed to be active duty and would possibly serve a shorter commitment after. Is this true? If so, would I enter into CRNA school right away or would I need to work as critical care nurse for another year (or however long) in the military before?

3. Are there specifically Navy/AF CRNA schools that have a doctorate program?

4. Or would it be more wise to attend a civilian CRNA school, and then use the HPSP (AF) to fund it and commission after?

I have acquired most of my information from online threads and the military websites and have spent a little more time researching the AF. If any of my facts are wrong please let me know. And I greatly appreciate any help I can get. Thank you!

ROTC is probably the best/easiest way to have your undergraduate nursing degree paid for by the military. You can also get your degree then join the military and have some or all of student loans repaid.

1. There is a GI Bill for reservists. Air Force Reserve

2. It depends on what you want, if your goal is to get into NA as quick as possible then going to a civilian nursing school and then getting civilian critical care nursing job for 2 years is the quickest route.

You can have HPSP pay for NA school. There is also a direct entry through the USAF for NA school at Uniformed Services University (USUHS). You would come on active duty goto commissioned officer training and then go directly to NA school.

3. Navy and AF both goto USUHS in Bethesda Maryland. The NA program there is DNP. By the time you are ready to go to NA school all NA should have made the transition to doctorate programs.

4. There are pros and cons to each to going to school on active duty (AD) versus HPSP. AD you get full pay, benefits, all educational expenses are paid for while going to school, and your time at school counts towards retirement. HPSP allows you go to school without worrying about much of the military aspects while going to school. HPSP school time does not count towards retirement, it does not pay for books, and I don't think any non-military travel expenses are paid for either.

rawz2014, APRN, CRNA · Sep 24, 2016

I am in crna school right now with graduation in 2018. I have always wanted to serve my country. Previously I was told that was not possible cause I'm blind in one eye. ( I was born like that so well compensated, you can't tell I'm blind in one eye without me telling you. I played sports, etc) will me having crna change anything? ( I know it's a long shot, but no harm in asking, right?) I didn't know if the need for crna' was great enough that I might get exception...