Capt. Kimberly Sugg, Lansing Medical Recruiting Center
Recruiting Nurses for HPSP
By Capt. Kimberly Sugg, Lansing Medical Recruiting Center
March 26, 2015
I was recently asked by a recruiter why a medical surgical nurse (66H) has to have at least a year of critical care nursing experience to qualify for the Nurse Anesthetist (66F) Health Professions Scholarship Program.
Certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) students must have experience in airway management. Critical care nurses have also developed the critical thinking skills necessary for IV dose adjustments for sedation, cardiac medications, and lifesaving medications used during a cardiopulmonary event.
This is not to say that a 66H is lacking this knowledge, but a critical care nurse (66H8A) is more experienced with the one-on-one monitoring of high-acuity critical patients.
These are the same skills that a CRNA will use in the management of their patients during surgeries, CPR situations, airway management, and procedures where conscious sedation is needed.
A 66F is often the sole provider under many circumstances in the Army, and they have to rely on their skills and training to save Soldiers’ lives. Therefore, from a recruiting standpoint, it is best to prospect for these applicants at the intensive care unit at a hospital, rather than looking for a recent graduate working on a medical surgical floor.
As medical recruiters, we need to spread the word about opportunities available for nurses to attend advanced practice schools.
The Army's Doctorate of Nursing Program is ranked the best in the country. The 66R and 66P HPSP incentive is another great opportunity for a 66H to advance their education and nursing skills.
We should be prospecting nursing schools and hospitals to inform future and current registered nurses of this career advancement opportunity, and all the benefits.
By Capt. Kimberly Sugg, Lansing Medical Recruiting Center
March 26, 2015
I was recently asked by a recruiter why a medical surgical nurse (66H) has to have at least a year of critical care nursing experience to qualify for the Nurse Anesthetist (66F) Health Professions Scholarship Program.
Certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) students must have experience in airway management. Critical care nurses have also developed the critical thinking skills necessary for IV dose adjustments for sedation, cardiac medications, and lifesaving medications used during a cardiopulmonary event.
This is not to say that a 66H is lacking this knowledge, but a critical care nurse (66H8A) is more experienced with the one-on-one monitoring of high-acuity critical patients.
These are the same skills that a CRNA will use in the management of their patients during surgeries, CPR situations, airway management, and procedures where conscious sedation is needed.
A 66F is often the sole provider under many circumstances in the Army, and they have to rely on their skills and training to save Soldiers’ lives. Therefore, from a recruiting standpoint, it is best to prospect for these applicants at the intensive care unit at a hospital, rather than looking for a recent graduate working on a medical surgical floor.
As medical recruiters, we need to spread the word about opportunities available for nurses to attend advanced practice schools.
The Army's Doctorate of Nursing Program is ranked the best in the country. The 66R and 66P HPSP incentive is another great opportunity for a 66H to advance their education and nursing skills.
We should be prospecting nursing schools and hospitals to inform future and current registered nurses of this career advancement opportunity, and all the benefits.