[the316]

Hello,
I am studying to become a nurse, and want to join the Army Nurse Corps thru the Reserves or National Guard. I am 42 and in great shape. I signed up so I could read and ask questions in the Military Nurse forum.

The main question I have is when I get commissioned into the ANC, I will have no prior military experience. And as I understand it, when you go in this way, you do not go to BCT. Its a different Officer Basic Course..? My dream is to become a combat nurse, but will I be eligible without BCT??? I will work anywhere, but I would prefer to be in a faster paced environment... Can I get airborne-qualified?? I have many things to learn.......

[jimemt]

Hi the316 --

I'm ex-Navy from a couple of wars ago. Though I can't speak directly to being a military nurse, I might only suggest that you carefully pursue the toll it can take emotionally during war time. I have a very good friend who was a new nurse deployed for 3 months on the USS Repose off of Viet Nam. She still has flash backs to some very bad memories. At the end of her short tour, she feared she could no longer feel any compassion for her patients.

Also, there is a nurse with whom I have corresponded a few times who works at, I'm guessing, Walter Reed (she hasn't disclosed the actual place other than to refer to it as a "military hospital." You can read her blog at From Our Perspective; some thoughts:. Look for Clara Hart on the page.

This being said, I applaud your desire. Though I'm way past being part of any military organization, I can see myself poss working in a VA hospital sometime during my career.

Best to you --

Jim
Newbie RN