Anyone else going to the USAGPAN in 2011?

Nursing Students SRNA

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Hello all, I am new to this forum but find it to be quite useful so far. I have a question....I have just recently applied to the Army's CRNA program for the calss starting in 2011. I was accepted by the LTHET board but I have yet to hear from NEU yet. When do you generally hear from them on your acceptance? Also, is there anyone else out there that applied to the same class starting in 2011 at Ft. Sam?

Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
Law-Deezie-

I am a VA employee and currently in the application process from the 2011 USAGPAN program. I was in contact with someone actually today and was informed that you can not even begin applying for NEU until March of 2010 for the 2011 program....you are military right? I wonder if it is different??

HEllo Law-Deezie,

I am also applying for the June 2011 program, (as an AD military.) When I went to the NEU website to apply online the only option to select for start is still listed as June 2010. So, it appears that we are both premature.

However I think we are not all that premature, it is more likely that we are "nearly spot on time!"

I'm pretty glad about this. I have an MS already and had just begun a PhD in nursing program but since I am working full time as an Army nurse already I realized that this IS the way to go!!

Gen/Jen

Specializes in Critical Care.

I'm also an active duty Army nurse applying for the 2011 class for CRNA.I was a medic for 10 yrs and an RN for 2 after the AECP program. I have had various feed back in regards to critical care experience "as an RN". I moonlight in the ER at St. Luke Hospital in Newburgh, NY, and deal with critical patients, ICU, and telemetry holds on a regular basis in that arena.I do get some observation time with CRNA's and float to PACU also. Currently I'm trying to complete the ICU checklist at that facility due to the low acuity of patients that are critical at the hospital I'm stationed at. How are you guys going about the ICU checklist? Also I took the GRE and the verbal section kicked my butt. I got a 380 qualitative, 580 quantitative, and 5.5 on the essay section. If you did well on the verbal section what "really" helped you? I plan on taking it again in February. Your input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Number 1 is memorizing GRE vocabulary found in study guides.

You can use the study books to practice analogies and such, but first and foremost you need to know the meaning of the words they use (and they use the same silver dollar words again and again)

Specializes in ICU- adults, Flight RN peds/neo.

"I got a 380 qualitative, 580 quantitative, and 5.5 on the essay section. If you did well on the verbal section what "really" helped you? I plan on taking it again in February. Your input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks"

I'm in the Army program now.

I retook my GRE after studying for about one month using the KAPLAN online course. It cost about $600 (alot, but hey...its my future!).

It comes with interactive study guides and ONLINE simulation tests (6 of them). The timed "sim tests" were the turning point for me. I watched my grade go up after each test.......and it correlated very closely to the "real GRE". The only exception was the "comprehension section" which was longer on the "real GRE" than the practice.

Personal, I sucked at comprehensive, so I didn't waste time reading it.....I just looked at the question and used their formula to guess. In the end, my grade improved by 29% >1100. Now, I look back at my "total GRE study time" and laugh. Sheeeee, I study about the same amt per week for our "weekly test!!". Not to scare you, but people do attrite from phase I, "due to not making the grades......." we are 2 down already.....60 test in 1 yr.

To be competitive for USAGPAN, You really need to score > 1000, so if you are not getting that score on the online practice tests.......postpone the test until you do. Just a heads-up.......For this coming class (june 2010 start) there was a BIG application pool.....not sure what 2011 will bring.

Good Luck!!

c.

Specializes in Critical Care.
Number 1 is memorizing GRE vocabulary found in study guides.

You can use the study books to practice analogies and such, but first and foremost you need to know the meaning of the words they use (and they use the same silver dollar words again and again)

Thanks for your response. Which GRE study guides are you specifically using?

Specializes in Critical Care.
"I got a 380 qualitative, 580 quantitative, and 5.5 on the essay section. If you did well on the verbal section what "really" helped you? I plan on taking it again in February. Your input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks"

I'm in the Army program now.

I retook my GRE after studying for about one month using the KAPLAN online course. It cost about $600 (alot, but hey...its my future!).

It comes with interactive study guides and ONLINE simulation tests (6 of them). The timed "sim tests" were the turning point for me. I watched my grade go up after each test.......and it correlated very closely to the "real GRE". The only exception was the "comprehension section" which was longer on the "real GRE" than the practice.

Personal, I sucked at comprehensive, so I didn't waste time reading it.....I just looked at the question and used their formula to guess. In the end, my grade improved by 29% >1100. Now, I look back at my "total GRE study time" and laugh. Sheeeee, I study about the same amt per week for our "weekly test!!". Not to scare you, but people do attrite from phase I, "due to not making the grades......." we are 2 down already.....60 test in 1 yr.

To be competitive for USAGPAN, You really need to score > 1000, so if you are not getting that score on the online practice tests.......postpone the test until you do. Just a heads-up.......For this coming class (june 2010 start) there was a BIG application pool.....not sure what 2011 will bring.

Good Luck!!

c.

Thank you for your response. Did the Kaplan course have any tips on the vocabulary section? I think I did ok on the comprehension. I know the vocabulary is what nailed me because i didn't know the meaning of some of the words that they were comparing relationships to in the different sections. You sound pretty busy:-) Stay motivated. I will get my score up so I can join you in the journey of practicing anesthesia. I've been wanting to get in the field for a while and now the opportunity is there. You will get through it. Keep in touch:) - LT Denson

Specializes in Critical Care.
"I got a 380 qualitative, 580 quantitative, and 5.5 on the essay section. If you did well on the verbal section what "really" helped you? I plan on taking it again in February. Your input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks"

I'm in the Army program now.

I retook my GRE after studying for about one month using the KAPLAN online course. It cost about $600 (alot, but hey...its my future!).

It comes with interactive study guides and ONLINE simulation tests (6 of them). The timed "sim tests" were the turning point for me. I watched my grade go up after each test.......and it correlated very closely to the "real GRE". The only exception was the "comprehension section" which was longer on the "real GRE" than the practice.

Personal, I sucked at comprehensive, so I didn't waste time reading it.....I just looked at the question and used their formula to guess. In the end, my grade improved by 29% >1100. Now, I look back at my "total GRE study time" and laugh. Sheeeee, I study about the same amt per week for our "weekly test!!". Not to scare you, but people do attrite from phase I, "due to not making the grades......." we are 2 down already.....60 test in 1 yr.

To be competitive for USAGPAN, You really need to score > 1000, so if you are not getting that score on the online practice tests.......postpone the test until you do. Just a heads-up.......For this coming class (june 2010 start) there was a BIG application pool.....not sure what 2011 will bring.

Good Luck!!

c.

Thank you for your response too. Did the Kaplan course have any tips on vocabulary words and comparing relationships? It was a great in preparing me for the NCLEX a few yrs ago. Please let me know. $600 is a little steep right now, but like you said, "it's my future":thankya:

Sorry, it's been a long time since I took the exam and I gave away all the books. The Princeton Review series has certainly been at it a long time and would be a good place to start. I also remember one that had a CD with vocabulary drills that I Liked. Spend an hour or so browsing a book store and get anything that looks helpful to you.

Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
Thank you for your response too. Did the Kaplan course have any tips on vocabulary words and comparing relationships? It was a great in preparing me for the NCLEX a few yrs ago. Please let me know. $600 is a little steep right now, but like you said, "it's my future":thankya:

Hi,

A fello LT who is applying to another LTHET program told me about the in class KAPLAN course which was a grand. Another LT mentioned that it was steep as well and she said that KAPLAN does have payment programs.

Personally I am leary to take that only because I've taken the GRE before with only some time to cram, (it has aged out though and I have to re-take) I'm concerned if I learn a technique that it might backfire on me!

However, that said, I've got to take it ASAP so it can be in my application packet prior to the MARCH 30th deadline!

Jen

Specializes in ICU- adults, Flight RN peds/neo.
Thank you for your response too. Did the Kaplan course have any tips on vocabulary words and comparing relationships? It was a great in preparing me for the NCLEX a few yrs ago. Please let me know. $600 is a little steep right now, but like you said, "it's my future":thankya:

If you dont want to spend the $$$ on the online course (understandable), then I'd get "Cracking the GRE" by princeton review....it is the best "book" of ahortcuts Ive seen.....

It looks like I also bought the Kaplan "vocabulary flashcard booklet (a small, fat book)"....that was good too.

good luck

c.

I totally agree with OTD2. I used the Princeton Review "Cracking the GRE" and the Kaplan Vocab flashcards. What worked for me with the flashcards was to take out all of the cards I already knew, study the rest and consistently "weed out" the deck until I pretty much knew them all. I scored in the top 5% for vocab which is funny because I pretty much suck at that stuff. Also, make sure you take a few computer practice tests so that your brain isn't totally fried by the time you do your vocab and analytical sections on the real thing (that's experience talking). Basically, the analytical section is comprised of Jr. High math so all you need to do is review. Good Luck!

Specializes in ICU- adults, Flight RN peds/neo.
Hi,

A fello LT who is applying to another LTHET program told me about the in class KAPLAN course which was a grand. Another LT mentioned that it was steep as well and she said that KAPLAN does have payment programs.

Personally I am leary to take that only because I've taken the GRE before with only some time to cram, (it has aged out though and I have to re-take) I'm concerned if I learn a technique that it might backfire on me!

However, that said, I've got to take it ASAP so it can be in my application packet prior to the MARCH 30th deadline!

Jen

I hear your concern. I also have taken the GRE before......twice infact (12yrs ago, 3 yrs ago and then this last time).

The most beneficial part of the online course is the "simulation tests". There is one diagnostic and 5 online "timed sim tests". For me, timing was everything.

Basically, the "tricks for short-cuts" came from the Princeton review, "cracking the GRE".....and it was great. I also learned to "to write as fast as you can & as much as you, never mind the misspellings" for the written section and it improved my score there too, although it was fine to begin with--I just thought I would try there approach and see how it worked.....

I'd alway heard you cant change your score that much, but "whoever said that is wrong"......mine increased by 29% with one month's (1x/week) studying/test taking. Too bad I didn't do that the 1st few times, my professors may have looked at me a bit differently. (sad to say, but true).

good luck,

c.

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