Guard, Reserve nurses can go for anesthesia grad degree

By

Jim Tice

U.S. Air Force Maj. Jason Richard, certified registered nurse anesthetist, monitors a patient during a urology procedure scheduled as part of a New Horizons Belize 2014 medical readiness training exercise May 22, 2014, at the Karl Heusner Medical Center in Belize City, Belize. A U.S. Air Force surgical team arrived in Belize to spend two weeks conducting urology procedures and surgeries in coordination with the KHMC urologist. Approximately 40 patients were screened through the KHMC, and about 20 procedures are planned during this phase of the training exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Kali L. Gradishar/Released)

A selection board will meet in August to consider qualified nurses of the National Guard and Army Reserve for funded graduate studies in anesthesia nursing and appointments to the Regular Army Nurse Corps.

The deadline for graduate school applications to Northeastern University is July 1. Officers must submit an application packet to Recruiting Command through an Army Medical Department recruiter before July 1.

Selections will be made by an Army Recruiting Command board that convenes Aug. 25.

The graduate studies program is a two-phase, 36-month course that culminates in a doctor of nursing practice degree, and eligibility to take the National Certification Examination for nurse anesthetists.

Phase I of the course consists of 52 weeks of didactic instruction at the AMEDD Center and School, Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Phase II consists of 97 weeks of clinical instruction at Army medical treatment facilities and private-sector hospitals.

Basic eligibility requirements are:

  • Have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing from an accredited institution, and hold a current, unrestricted license as a registered nurse.
  • Officers who will reach age 42 before appointment into the Regular Army are ineligible, as are field-grade officers. However, interested officers should contact an AMEDD recruiter for information on possible waivers.

Interested officers should look at MilPer Message 15-134, dated May 4, for clinical experience requirements and application procedures.