Usphs?

allnurses Guide · Dec 19, 2007

I've seen USPHS mentioned in several posts and have checked out their website. It sounds like it could be a good opportunity.
Do any of you have any information on USPHS?
Do any of you have personal experience with USPHS? If so, would you please let me know what your experience has been? Would you recommend it to others? Why or why not?
Do you know if someone can transfer from USPHS to the Army, Navy or Air Force? If so, is it a difficult process? What would your rank be if you can transfer?
How would you decide if USPHS is a better fit for you than the Army, Navy or Air Force?
I have lots of questions about it but this will do to start. I'm supposed to be hearing from someone from USPHS within the next couple days. I'm curious to hear what your expeirences have been though.
Thank you. :)
Tiffany

USPHS is one of the uniformed services, but is not part of the military. I would highly recommend the military or USPHS. The choice depends on you...Do you want to deploy, maybe fly, do you want espirit de corps? If you want those things then you should probably join the military. Now if you want good pay, fast promotions, like doing public health/humunitarian work etc. then USPHS might be the place for you.

You can switch from one service to the other w/ little difficulty as long as your obligation is up with the other service branch.

fmrnicumom · Dec 19, 2007

Thank you! I want to make sure I have all the information before I make any decisions. The actual nursing program of my BSN is 3 years long, so I still have a while to decide.

Thanks again! :)

Tiffany

nuberianne_RN · Dec 20, 2007

Now if you want good pay, fast promotions, like doing public health/humunitarian work etc. then USPHS might be the place for you.

What are the promotions based on? Are they promoted faster than military nurses?

allnurses Guide · Dec 20, 2007

What are the promotions based on? Are they promoted faster than military nurses?

Try this link first for an overview: http://dcp.psc.gov/prom_faq.asp#eligible

It is complicated like everything else in the military, but here is the book that trys to explain everything. http://dcp.psc.gov/eccis/documents/CCPM23_3_4.pdf

The chart is on page 18, but you have to read through most of the other stuff to decipher it.

USPHS complicates it even more by using temporary rank and permanent rank. While on AD you will have a temporary rank that will usually be higher than your permanent rank, which the only time it matters is when you preparing for retirement. Your temporary rank is what is used for pay and benefits while on AD.

Here is a comparison: (using new nurses fresh out of school)

AF:

Start out as an O-1; promote automatically up to O-3 ( will take 4 yrs AD); O-4 is taking another 9-12 years before you actually pin on O-4 and the since it is competive board the promition rate is running about 65% according to the last briefing I had. O-5 is generally another 5+ years with a promotion rate in 40th percent. O-6 another 5+ years and the promotion rates, I believe, are currently around 25% of those that go in front of the board.

USPHS:

Start out as an O-2; promote automatically to O-3 and O-4 (so 100% of the nurses will promote to O-4 and on time), 8 years total time to make O-4; 5 more years to for O-5; and 5 more years to make O-6. I only personally know a few UPHS officers, but I haven't heard of any of them not getting promoted when their package goes in front of the board.

AF: (total time)................ USPHS: (total time)

O-1: start...........................skip

O-2: 2yrs ..........................O-2: start

O-3: 4yrs...........................O-3: 4yrs

O-4: 13-15+yrs..................O-4: 8yrs

O-5: 18-20yrs....................O-5: 13yrs

I hope this explains some of it.

fmrnicumom · Dec 21, 2007

Thank you so much for all of the information! I appreciate it. :)

Tiffany

HM2VikingRN, RN · Jan 6, 2008

Check out the COSTEP program through USPHS.

spawnupe · Jan 7, 2008

Newcomer to the post... But, I must say the USPHS sounds quite interesting. I am a junior at Thomas Jefferson University and am looking to serve in the military again( AF ANG) full time. I wonder if USPHS has tuition reimbursement like the AF or Army. That would be a big plus for me. Also, will you have the ability to select where you would like to serve. If anyone would know the answers to the above, please feel free to respond. BTW, I love this website.......its actually somewhat addictive. Thanks!

BSNinTX · Mar 20, 2008

Newcomer to the post... But, I must say the USPHS sounds quite interesting. I am a junior at Thomas Jefferson University and am looking to serve in the military again( AF ANG) full time. I wonder if USPHS has tuition reimbursement like the AF or Army. That would be a big plus for me. Also, will you have the ability to select where you would like to serve. If anyone would know the answers to the above, please feel free to respond. BTW, I love this website.......its actually somewhat addictive. Thanks!

Sorry for the slow reply; I don't get on here much.

Go to usphs.gov and check the link for student opportunities. They will sponsor some professions during some portions of the schooling. Also, the nursing sign on bonus is $20,000 or $25,000 depending on a 3 or 4 year committment; this would be an easy way to knock out student loans.

Prior service time counts for pay but probably will not count for grade/rank assignment.

In the USPHS, you select where you go. In fact, joining is a two stage process. You apply to PHS and you find an applicable position and apply to that position. If accepted by both, there you go. PHS officers are VERY rarely moved involuntarily and can resign if they don't want to go. However, movement geographically and programmatically is considered important for promotion.

I hope this answers some question; contact me if you need more info or help.

AM9160 · Oct 13, 2008

I would like some more information regarding the USPHS. I have been trying to contact them for weeks now and cannot get anyone live. I have also e-mailed and not gotten any reply. Would you have any contact information for a recruiter or anyone who I can speak to in order to facilitate the application process? I am graduating May '09 and wanted to get this going ASAP. Thanks.

allnurses Guide · Oct 13, 2008

I would like some more information regarding the USPHS. I have been trying to contact them for weeks now and cannot get anyone live. I have also e-mailed and not gotten any reply. Would you have any contact information for a recruiter or anyone who I can speak to in order to facilitate the application process? I am graduating May '09 and wanted to get this going ASAP. Thanks.

Try this:

Thomas Pryor, RN

LCDR, United States Public Health Service

Senior Recruitment Specialist

Office of Commissioned Corps Operations,

Division of Commissioned Corps Recruitment

1101 Wootton Parkway, Plaza Level, Suite 100

Rockville, MD 20852

Phone: 240-453-6071

Fax: 240-453-6127

Email: [email protected]

BSNinTX · Oct 14, 2008

I think that you have been given the info you need...Mr. Pryor is a good contact. If that does not work, PM me and I may be able to get you some help.

Not to make excuses for my service, but the USPHS has a VERY small staff to meet its recruiting and personnel needs. On top of that, about one sixth of our officers have been deployed over the past two months for Hurricane Gustav...which then rolled into Hurricane Hannah....which then rolled into Hurricane Ike. Any, a lot of those deployed were people from our central offices who normally deal with things like recruiting and personnel.

Again, if you don't get what you need, let me know.

Also, keep in mind that you should weigh the benefits of COSTEP support (tuition, stipend, etc.) against the sign-on bonus ($25000 for a 4 year committment). This late in your education, you may come out better getting the bonus, which I believe you cannot get if you are committed to COSTEP time payback.