Overview

An integral component of the U.S. Army health care team, the Army Nurse Corps continues to distinguish itself from the traditional nursing field. As a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and officer on the U.S. Army health care team, you’ll provide specialized care to patients requiring general anesthesia, respiratory care, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and fluid therapy. You’ll work as part of a multidisciplinary team, surrounded by dedicated professionals who share your values.

Job Duties

• Scope of practice encompasses all areas where anesthesia is administered to include: inpatient operating rooms, Ambulatory Surgery Center, delivery rooms, postanesthesia recovery rooms, critical care units and emergency departments
  
• Develop an anesthetic plan based on a preanesthetic evaluation
  
• Perform or supervise the performance of the anesthetic experience in collaboration with an anesthesiologist and/or appropriate physician throughout the preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative phases of anesthesia and surgery
  
• Administer analgesia and anesthesia for the labor and delivery process
  * Active involvement in acute postoperative pain management of the surgical patient utilizing various techniques and pharmacological agents
  
• Document the anesthetic process to include physiological and psychological reactions to anesthesia and surgery
  
• Provide consultation and service for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and airway management
  
• Conduct medical research on diseases of military importance, and conduct, supervise, and participate in graduate medical education and training of other medical personnel needed to sustain a robust medical system
  
  

Unique duty positions include: clinical staff nurse; instructor; phase II director; program director or deputy program director; assistant chief or chief, anesthesia nursing section

Requirements

ACTIVE:

• Master’s degree in nursing anesthesia, from an accredited program
  
• Between 21 and 42 years of age
  
• Certified registered nurse anesthetist
  
• U.S. citizenship
  
  

RESERVE:

• In addition to the above qualifications, permanent U.S. residency is required for Reserve duty officers.

Training

ACTIVE:
In the U.S. Army, the case diversity nurses experience in caring for Soldiers and their families far exceeds the medical care environment of the private sector. As an Army Nurse Corps officer, you’ll have access to the most sophisticated technology, the opportunity to consult with experts in both the military and private sector, plus exceptional professional growth opportunities, including paid continuing education, clinical specialization and residencies.

RESERVE:
Your introduction to the Army Reserve begins with the Army Medical Department Officer Basic Leaders Course, a three-week program that will expose you to the variety of mental and physical challenges you’ll face as a member of the health care team. You’ll learn about the U.S. Army’s approach to health care firsthand, training with other professionals and attending lectures, conferences and demonstrations that cover everything from U.S. Army customs to crisis management. You may even have the opportunity to participate in a hands-on medical simulation of an in-theater field medical unit.

After completing OBLC, you will serve with a  Reserve unit a minimum of two days each month and participate in annual training for at least two weeks each year. During this time, your duties may include attending professional seminars and military or nursing education courses provided by the U.S. Army. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to work in a wide range of health care environments, whether it be in a modern hospital, working with skilled professionals in a variety of clinical situations or supervising paraprofessionals in a field medical unit.

Helpful Skills

The normal environment of a Medical Nurse Corps officer’s work requires time-sensitive problem analysis with an accurate, sound and immediate decision. Ability to operate under stress, apply critical thinking skills, make decisions, and translate these skills to battlefield conditions is critical to medical and mission success.

Effective patient care requires the proper balance between technical skills and the ability to apply the appropriate treatment or procedure at the right moment. Medical Nurse Corps officers possess expert knowledge in their area of concentration, patient management, and general support and coordination principles. Nurses gain this knowledge through continuing medical education and experience sustained by mentoring, additional institutional training, continuous self-development and progressive levels of assignments within their specialty.

Learn more about the ASVAB and see what jobs you could qualify for.

Compensation

ACTIVE BENEFITS:
In addition to the many privileges that come with being an officer on the U.S. Army health care team, you’ll be rewarded with:

• Army Nurse Accession Bonus
  
• Health Professions Loan Repayment Program Travel opportunities, including humanitarian missions
  
• No-cost or low-cost medical and dental care for you and your family
  
• Noncontributory retirement benefits with 20 years of qualifying service
  
• 30 days of paid vacation earned annually
  
  

RESERVE BENEFITS:

• Special Pay for nurses with their Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  
• Healthcare Professionals Loan Repayment Program
  
• Networking opportunities
  
• Noncontributory retirement benefits at age 60 with 20 years of qualifying service
  
• Low-cost life and dental insurance
  
• Travel opportunities, including humanitarian missions
  
  

Both active and  Reserve duty officers enjoy commissary and post exchange shopping privileges; a flexible, portable retirement savings and investment plan similar to a 401(k); paid continuing education; and specialized training to become a leader in their field.

Education Benefits

ACTIVE:
The Army Nurse Corps encourages its nurses to improve their skills and enhance their professional experience through a variety of educational programs, including postgraduate opportunities and continuing education and specialty courses, all of which they often attend at the U.S. Army’s expense. These programs not only ensure a high degree of motivation, professional opportunities and career satisfaction but also serve to maintain both the U.S. Army’s high nursing standards and your level of expertise.

RESERVE:
One of the many advantages of becoming a member of the Army Reserve health care team is that you’ll be able to focus on patient care instead of medical school loans. By continuing to practice in your own community and serving when needed, you may qualify for HPLR to repay your medical school loans.

Future Civilian Careers

As you advance through your medical career, you will be looking for experiences that blend teaching, research and clinical excellence to best prepare you for unique and challenging opportunities in medicine. Our nurses excel in the clinical, research, academic and health administration arenas. Many have worked in more than one career track throughout their time in the U.S. Army and have held leadership positions ahead of their private sector counterparts.

The nurse’s responsibility and authority for professional nursing practice expand with education and experience. Expert nurse anesthetists are role models for their specialty, providing leadership and clinical guidance for effective nursing practice both during their tenure in the Army Nurse Corps and throughout their careers.