USPHS and ending the nursing hiring freeze?!?

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Hi guys,

I am going crazy waiting for this hiring freeze to end. Originally they said June of 2013, and now they are thinking fall?

In the meantime - I took a position with the BOP as a CRNP (a job I like so far!) so that once things open up it should not take as long, but I have been waiting for months! My husband and I would like to start a family soon, and I feel like PHS will open up as soon as I got pregnant.

Does anyone also know what a nurse practitioner would come in as? o-3 or o-4? I have 6 years experience as a nurse, but 2 as a nurse practitioner.

Does anyone know how long it can take to get commissioned if you have a position?

Does anyone have any ideas about when they are re-opening? I'm sure I'm not the only one going crazy and getting impatient.

Thanks!

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I was looking into the USPHS as well. How do you know they are thinking it will be the Fall? I just emailed them to ask, but who knows if I will hear back.

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They have a facebook page where they often give updates. There has been mention of possible nursing opportunities opening up sometime in the fall. No exact date...

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Hey Penn...

I am currently a Corps Officer and I work with the BOP as a nurse. I don't know if you have had any luck as of now but... my best advice is:

You have to learn to be patient

This is a long process and frustrating (at times) even after they lift the freeze. I am not sure when it will be lifted. I think they are currently trying to streamline the application process however it has taken some close to 1 1/2 years to become commissioned (and yes, these are people that have started a job at the BOP and then became commissioned).

A Nurse Practitioner is an O-4 billet; however you will most likely come in as an O-3. At your current facility are there any offiicers that work there? I hope this helps? If you have any other questions, I would be happy to answer!

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The first week of October the PHS will be announcing what new applications (for a limited number of professions) will be coming avialable. I am not sure if nursing will be one of the professions though... They will announce it on their Facebook page

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Does USPHS offer nurses or APRN's bonuses? I ask because I'm thinking about jumping ship from Army to USPHS once I finish psych NP, but the army is still offering 20,000 a year for 4 year obligation?

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labries,

PHS does offer bonuses for nurses, 20,000 for 4 years I think. But if you are wanting money to pay off school, IHS has the best deal; Loan repayment program up to $40,000 for to year obligation with the option to extend for a year (another $20k). Also, as a psych NP you can work for the DoD and VA being commissioned with PHS. Advanced mental health professionals who are commissioned with PHS are the only ones that are able to be detailed to DoD and VA. It is an amazing opportunity. Hope this helps!

Website for IHS LRP: IHS Loan Repayment Program (LRP) - Home

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Hi everyone,

I hope someone can enlighten me here. I had no idea what the USPHS was until I researched it just now. It sounds like an amazing opportunity. Has anybody ever shadowed someone working for USPHS? Do they hire active duty RNs or do you have to separate from the military first before applying? I'm sure there is any easy transition to transfer into a different corps or am I wrong?

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Just announced yesterday on their facebook page they are opening up to nurse practitioners starting October 1st. One week countdown! I hope after all this waiting they have streamlined the process, but yes... I heard to be very patient.

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Update... so I'm currently in the boarding application process. Submitted my paper application and was received by headquarters 11/1/2013 by USPS tracker. Heard it took ~3 weeks for the data entry team to enter my data, and I did hear from the CAD team stating my data was entered and with the CAD team - under review. That was a month ago.

Is there anyone else under going the application process at this time? Would like to hear how your process is going... :)

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Alright pennprincess...it's been a little over a year since you last posted. I would love to see an update on this. I am thinking I will be in your shoes in about a year or so if I decide to apply. Thanks in advance for the response!

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Hey,

So it has been a long year! Still in the application process. My coworker who is a PA applied a month after me and passed her professional board interview so now she needs a physical/dental/background check and she should be good to go! I haven't heard anything however, heard they are doing nurse interviews this week but only have 20% of applications processed.

Still working at my institution. Lots of mobility available if you want it. Good group of people that I work with. we are almost fully staffed which helps. Varies by institution.

I'm gonna keep on truckin'!

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