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?

Awesome! I am at WAMC right now! It's been a fantastic experience so far. Everything you outlined is pretty congruent with what you should expect. However, tomorrow is my big interview day. I'll let you know more later.

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Awesome! I am at WAMC right now! It's been a fantastic experience so far. Everything you outlined is pretty congruent with what you should expect. However, tomorrow is my big interview day. I'll let you know more later.

What did you wear? Business casual?

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By no means do I wish to take the winds out of your sails, but I am wondering how you were boarded before the boards are scheduled to start. Did you get an official document detailing your acceptance or was it your recruiter just saying that you were all but accepted? I notified my recruiter of your progress and he is in relative disbelief.

I had a great recruiter who went above and beyond to help me with everything. I started application in early January and had my interview in April. I submitted my application to NEU in May. My army application was submitted to board in late June. I was told once I have acceptance letter from NEU and accept the seat I can be commissioned... that's the next step :)

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I had a great recruiter who went above and beyond to help me with everything. I started application in early January and had my interview in April. I submitted my application to NEU in May. My army application was submitted to board in late June. I was told once I have acceptance letter from NEU and accept the seat I can be commissioned... that's the next step :)

So when do you commission? What is your timeline from here on out?

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So when do you commission? What is your timeline from here on out?

I have until October 1st to confirm that I want to take the seat in the program starting next year. Once I do they will start the commissioning process... although I must say I don't know exactly what that entails and how long it will take given that it's so early. The good part is I have plenty of time to get my ducks in the row for the next year.

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...tomorrow is my big interview day. I'll let you know more later.

Good luck today!

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I'm in! I got my acceptance letter from NEU the other day. I was also told by my recruiter that I have been selected by the army board. The only thing left is accept the seat and get the paperwork signed. As someone with no prior military experience I must say it's exciting and overwhelming at the same time... I can't wait to get started with the school and learning about anesthesia, but the military life will be a huge adjustment. I'm sure it will be worth it though. :)

Congratulations, that's awesome!! Keep us posted on your comissioning process!

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Thank you, sir! Great experience. The students and staff were great.The interview went well. The program director definitely wanted to make sure I was fully aware and willing to accept the military obligation associated with the USAGPAN. I certainly have given this a lot of thought already, over a year in fact, but they really pounded this one home. Certainly, such a strong call for contemplation does cause one to question their decision! Nonetheless, they did say they would love to have me on. So that was great to hear.

Anyway, business casual is what I wore. However, you will be wearing scrubs 95% of the time. In fact, I walked in the facility and immediately changed into scrubs.

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So sorry I've been MIA. Good luck to everyone doing interviews in the next couple of weeks. I just wanted to give an update on how mine went. I had my interview Mon - Wed of this week. It was awesome! I had shadowed before, but being completely immersed from beginning to end was amazing!

So day 1:

I was told to show up at 0610, I met with the director and another applicant. He walked us upstairs to the locker room, we changed into scrubs (I wore business casual), then he walked us over to the office the junior (phase II, year 1) students hang out (they have their own office) and introduced us. He paired me with one of the LTs and I followed her for that day. We had a bunch of ortho surgeries. They were awesome to watch. She managed the entire case with the preceptor helping when needed. At 1500 we cut out of the OR and went to post conference with the director. They talked about their day, how things went, etc. They released me for the day and I was to come back the next day at 0430.

Day 2:

I show up and get let in by one of the other LTs at 0430. I shadow him for the day. We set up the OR, do machine checks, draw up drugs, etc. Then we head to morning report with the department. Then everyone is off to handle their cases for the day. That day was general surgery for us and we were done around 1400. I was let go for the day again.

Day 3:

I showed up around 0430 again, helped with setup, drugs, etc. Then I switched to another OR with one of the other LTs and watched them start an eight-hour oral surgery case. It was so interesting watching all that goes into prepping a pt for unconventional surgeries. They inserted an A line, new PIVs, nasally intubated and turned the head of the bed to the right. We had to maintain MAP around 60 which was challenging, but eventually they were able to stabilize the BP. I had to leave around 1100 for my interview.

Interview:

I sat down with the director and another provider. They asked basic interview questions: how you deal with conflict, strengths and weaknesses. They also asked me stuff about the chapter I was given to read. Then they asked questions to see if I really knew what I was getting myself into. What's my family life like? Will they be able to handle the long hours, etc. After that they told me they though I would be a good fit for the program and he agreed to write me a strong letter of recommendation. He did it within a few hours actually! lol

So now I'm finishing up my personal statement then I should hopefully submit my application to NEU tonight or tomorrow! It starting to get so real!

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So sorry I've been MIA. Good luck to everyone doing interviews in the next couple of weeks. I just wanted to give an update on how mine went. I had my interview Mon - Wed of this week. It was awesome! I had shadowed before, but being completely immersed from beginning to end was amazing!

So day 1:

I was told to show up at 0610, I met with the director and another applicant. He walked us upstairs to the locker room, we changed into scrubs (I wore business casual), then he walked us over to the office the junior (phase II, year 1) students hang out (they have their own office) and introduced us. He paired me with one of the LTs and I followed her for that day. We had a bunch of ortho surgeries. They were awesome to watch. She managed the entire case with the preceptor helping when needed. At 1500 we cut out of the OR and went to post conference with the director. They talked about their day, how things went, etc. They released me for the day and I was to come back the next day at 0430.

Day 2:

I show up and get let in by one of the other LTs at 0430. I shadow him for the day. We set up the OR, do machine checks, draw up drugs, etc. Then we head to morning report with the department. Then everyone is off to handle their cases for the day. That day was general surgery for us and we were done around 1400. I was let go for the day again.

Day 3:

I showed up around 0430 again, helped with setup, drugs, etc. Then I switched to another OR with one of the other LTs and watched them start an eight-hour oral surgery case. It was so interesting watching all that goes into prepping a pt for unconventional surgeries. They inserted an A line, new PIVs, nasally intubated and turned the head of the bed to the right. We had to maintain MAP around 60 which was challenging, but eventually they were able to stabilize the BP. I had to leave around 1100 for my interview.

Interview:

I sat down with the director and another provider. They asked basic interview questions: how you deal with conflict, strengths and weaknesses. They also asked me stuff about the chapter I was given to read. Then they asked questions to see if I really knew what I was getting myself into. What's my family life like? Will they be able to handle the long hours, etc. After that they told me they though I would be a good fit for the program and he agreed to write me a strong letter of recommendation. He did it within a few hours actually! lol

So now I'm finishing up my personal statement then I should hopefully submit my application to NEU tonight or tomorrow! It starting to get so real!

Did you change back into business casual for the actual interview, or were you still in scrubs?

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Did you change back into business casual for the actual interview, or were you still in scrubs?

I actually did my interview in scrubs. I made sure to take the lunch-lady hair net off before! ;) I actually came in my work scrubs the last two days and changed into their hospital scrubs.

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I actually did my interview in scrubs. I made sure to take the lunch-lady hair net off before! ;) I actually came in my work scrubs the last two days and changed into their hospital scrubs.

I wish I would have thought of that! haha

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