USAGPAN 2018

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I noticed someone had started a thread to rally up nurses applying to the USAGPAN class starting this year so I thought I'd do the same for next year's class! I'll be speaking with a recruiter soon, but I hope to begin the application process very soon! I have about 2 years of critical care experience, just took my GRE and I'm scheduled to take my CCRN next month. I'll be doing that biochem class sometimes before June as well. Anyone else out there applying for next year's Army Nurse Anesthesia Program?

Quick question for you, did the phase II director email your LOR to NEU directly or did you send the phase II director the automated link from the NEU online application? Thanks!

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Quick question for you, did the phase II director email your LOR to NEU directly or did you send the phase II director the automated link from the NEU online application? Thanks!

I emailed the link to him and he submitted it via that link.

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Quick question for you, did the phase II director email your LOR to NEU directly or did you send the phase II director the automated link from the NEU online application? Thanks!

I already submitted my NEU application, and my Phase 2 interview is this week. The Grad office at NEU told me to just have the director email the LoR directly to them.

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Thank you!

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About how long after submitting your application to the NEU did you find out about acceptance?

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Just had my Phase 2 interview experience at WAMC at Fort Bragg, NC. Here's how it went. I was offered air travel arrangements by the recruiter, but I live in Ohio, so I drove over the day before. The recruiter said they'd reimburse my travel costs up to the price of a plane ticket. I haven't seen the reimbursement yet, but I was told it could take up to 10 business days. They also prepaid 2 nights of hotel on base (but not the night before, since I choose to drive over early).

Day 0 - Monday

My plan was to arrive at Fort Bragg early enough to get a base pass before the visitor's office closed. I got there 2 hours before close, and it was packed! The whole process took about 45min. My hotel was off post approx 20min away, so I went and checked in. I went back to the Airborne and Special Forces museum by base, but it was closed on Mondays. Found a local brewery for dinner and a brew, and then back to the hotel to review the Barash chapter I was given and organize for the next day. I was asked to prepare a 3 ringed binder with my transcripts, personal statement, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, etc to give the Program Director on Day 1, so I made sure (for like the thousandth time) that all was squared away.

Day 1 - Tuesday

I was told to arrive between 1300-1400 and to text the Phase 2 director when I got there. I arrived in business casual and texted him at 1300. He was very nice and easy to talk to. He was concerned that I hadn't eaten and asked if we needed to hit the cafeteria first. I ate PTA, told him I got there a little early and scoped out the hospital a bit. He laughed about my advanced recon” and we went up to his office. He said there was another candidate coming that day as well (from NJ. If you're on here I'd love to hear more about your experience as well). We chatted for about 30min about the expectations of the USAGPAN program, the expectations of the army, and he got to know me a little. He asked if I had time to shadow that day, and of course I said yes. I was given a pair of hospital scrubs (to be worn the entire time.) He paired me up with a junior student (Phase 2, year 1 MAJ with 22yrs in service) and I watched him work a case until 1530 when he reported off to the staff CRNA and went upstairs to the office/ classroom. He was super knowledgeable and a great teacher. He did some paperwork for the day, researched his patients for the next day, and we left around 1630-1700.

Day 2 - Wednesday

I was in the classroom to meet my student preceptor at 0430. Students arrive early to set up their OR suite prior to morning report at 0630. We went through machine and room set up, talked a little about that day's case load, and went to morning report. Usually each of the 6 students present their most interesting case to the other staff, but that day only two were able. The first one went off without a hitch. She was asked a few questions, but it was smooth. The second student was really grilled about the difference between two similar nerve blocks, and since he was hesitant to answer, it seemed to lead to more and more questions. That poor guy was in the spotlight for the entire rest of report. He seemed very intelligent, but just wasn't able to provide the answers the staff were seeking quickly enough. All the students joked about it later, but it was rough in the moment. We had our cases that day. We were broke for a quick break and a 30min lunch by the staff. I really needed that first break to grab food, since breakfast was at 0330. I got to see the DaVinci robot in action for a few cases. We left the OR suite around 1530, he did some paperwork, prepped for his patients the next day, and we left.

Day 3 - Thursday

Arrived at 0430. Set up OR suite like the day before. Instead of presenting student cases, another staff member did a presentation on tachyarrhythmias. During the first case, the Commanding Officer of Anesthesia (a CRNA COL) called me to his office. He said he didn't really have any sway over my admission, but he wanted to talk to me a bit. He's a very intense person. He had some questions about my packet, which I think I was able to answer for him appropriately. He stressed the toll military life can take on families and individuals. I think he was mostly making sure I knew the seriousness of the commitment I was going to the program and the Army in general. I returned to the OR suite. We took a break around 1000 to grab a drink. On our way back down to the OR, the Program Director grabbed me for my interview.

Interview

The Program Director and the Assistant Program Director were there. They, once again, stressed the dedication needed to complete the program and live Army life in general. Told me my chances of deployment during "phase 3" are 100%. They asked me about my prior education, my experience, complimented me on some things and asked clarifying questions about others. They asked about my wife, her employment, our expectations for children, my support system, etc. Basically assessing which life distractions I might have while in the program. After what seems like forever (but really lasted 30min) he said he'd recommend me. They asked if I wanted to keep shadowing or head out. Since I still had a 8+ hour drive ahead, I left. Overall great experience! This was the last piece of the puzzle for me, so now the waiting game begins.

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Strong work! Sounds like your experience at WAMC was pretty much identical to mine. Waiting game for me too. Hoping the best for you, sir.

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Strong work! Sounds like your experience at WAMC was pretty much identical to mine. Waiting game for me too. Hoping the best for you, sir.

You as well!

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...He said there was another candidate coming that day as well (from NJ. If you're on here I'd love to hear more about your experience as well).

Actually I think he was from NY, not Jersey. Sorry if I didn't remember correctly.

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Just had my Phase 2 interview experience at WAMC at Fort Bragg, NC. Here's how it went. I was offered air travel arrangements by the recruiter, but I live in Ohio, so I drove over the day before. The recruiter said they'd reimburse my travel costs up to the price of a plane ticket. I haven't seen the reimbursement yet, but I was told it could take up to 10 business days. They also prepaid 2 nights of hotel on base (but not the night before, since I choose to drive over early).

Day 0 - Monday

My plan was to arrive at Fort Bragg early enough to get a base pass before the visitor's office closed. I got there 2 hours before close, and it was packed! The whole process took about 45min. My hotel was off post approx 20min away, so I went and checked in. I went back to the Airborne and Special Forces museum by base, but it was closed on Mondays. Found a local brewery for dinner and a brew, and then back to the hotel to review the Barash chapter I was given and organize for the next day. I was asked to prepare a 3 ringed binder with my transcripts, personal statement, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, etc to give the Program Director on Day 1, so I made sure (for like the thousandth time) that all was squared away.

Day 1 - Tuesday

I was told to arrive between 1300-1400 and to text the Phase 2 director when I got there. I arrived in business casual and texted him at 1300. He was very nice and easy to talk to. He was concerned that I hadn't eaten and asked if we needed to hit the cafeteria first. I ate PTA, told him I got there a little early and scoped out the hospital a bit. He laughed about my advanced recon” and we went up to his office. He said there was another candidate coming that day as well (from NJ. If you're on here I'd love to hear more about your experience as well). We chatted for about 30min about the expectations of the USAGPAN program, the expectations of the army, and he got to know me a little. He asked if I had time to shadow that day, and of course I said yes. I was given a pair of hospital scrubs (to be worn the entire time.) He paired me up with a junior student (Phase 2, year 1 MAJ with 22yrs in service) and I watched him work a case until 1530 when he reported off to the staff CRNA and went upstairs to the office/ classroom. He was super knowledgeable and a great teacher. He did some paperwork for the day, researched his patients for the next day, and we left around 1630-1700.

Day 2 - Wednesday

I was in the classroom to meet my student preceptor at 0430. Students arrive early to set up their OR suite prior to morning report at 0630. We went through machine and room set up, talked a little about that day's case load, and went to morning report. Usually each of the 6 students present their most interesting case to the other staff, but that day only two were able. The first one went off without a hitch. She was asked a few questions, but it was smooth. The second student was really grilled about the difference between two similar nerve blocks, and since he was hesitant to answer, it seemed to lead to more and more questions. That poor guy was in the spotlight for the entire rest of report. He seemed very intelligent, but just wasn't able to provide the answers the staff were seeking quickly enough. All the students joked about it later, but it was rough in the moment. We had our cases that day. We were broke for a quick break and a 30min lunch by the staff. I really needed that first break to grab food, since breakfast was at 0330. I got to see the DaVinci robot in action for a few cases. We left the OR suite around 1530, he did some paperwork, prepped for his patients the next day, and we left.

Day 3 - Thursday

Arrived at 0430. Set up OR suite like the day before. Instead of presenting student cases, another staff member did a presentation on tachyarrhythmias. During the first case, the Commanding Officer of Anesthesia (a CRNA COL) called me to his office. He said he didn't really have any sway over my admission, but he wanted to talk to me a bit. He's a very intense person. He had some questions about my packet, which I think I was able to answer for him appropriately. He stressed the toll military life can take on families and individuals. I think he was mostly making sure I knew the seriousness of the commitment I was going to the program and the Army in general. I returned to the OR suite. We took a break around 1000 to grab a drink. On our way back down to the OR, the Program Director grabbed me for my interview.

Interview

The Program Director and the Assistant Program Director were there. They, once again, stressed the dedication needed to complete the program and live Army life in general. Told me my chances of deployment during "phase 3" are 100%. They asked me about my prior education, my experience, complimented me on some things and asked clarifying questions about others. They asked about my wife, her employment, our expectations for children, my support system, etc. Basically assessing which life distractions I might have while in the program. After what seems like forever (but really lasted 30min) he said he'd recommend me. They asked if I wanted to keep shadowing or head out. Since I still had a 8+ hour drive ahead, I left. Overall great experience! This was the last piece of the puzzle for me, so now the waiting game begins.

That's awesome! Sounds very similar to what I experienced. And, like you, I'm in the waiting game boat as well! Glad we're at the tail end of the application process!

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That's awesome! Sounds very similar to what I experienced. And, like you, I'm in the waiting game boat as well! Glad we're at the tail end of the application process!

Absolutely!

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Hey Guys,

I'm in the process of doing both applications and I was wondering if any of you would be able to answer a couple of questions that I might have. I spoke to someone at NEU and was told to leave the third recommendation blank for the Phase 2 director to upload their recommendation. However, when I tried to submit the NEU application without that recommendation it says that my application is incomplete due to that last recommendation not being there. Can anyone please advise. I'm trying to make the September 1st deadline for NEU. I would really appreciated any advice you guys might have.

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