Advice on being a Army nurse

[Gruffy]

Hey there FL mom of 5,

If I were to go Reserves, what location and unit would I be doing my drills at? The only place I can find on the internet is Army Reserve Medical Command in Pinellas Park, FL. Not sure if I can even do drills there or not. I understand that the Jacksonville hospital is Tricare. Is that where I would drill?

Thank so much for your input,
Gruffy

[Gruffy]

Gruffy,

To the best of my knowledge, prior service is prior service - for the computation of age. Initially, when they raised the general max age to 42, you couldn't use prior service to reduce your age. Honestly, I have been just outside so many age criterion..... before raising the age to 42, I was 22 days too old when computation used my prior service. Then they raised it, but no prior service credit. Still too old. Now, I can get a reserve or guard commission, but not active because my Bach is not scientific enough. (I have an EE.) :nurse-soapbox: I also have time in civilian service. I love how military service counts towards retirement from civilian service and not the other way around.

Then there is....USAFA..time in school counts. OCS training time counts. 4 YR AFROTC scholarship (you enlist when you get it) and time in Field Training doesnt count! (that is all I needed to be 'young' enough a few years back!!!)

So anyway, we can gripe, but it is what it is.

The only differences I have been informed of...due to my prior time being commissioned is: instead of a 2LT commission, I will start at 1LT. I will also be eligible for CPT a year later. (And this has to do with me having a bachelors degree whereas many ASNs do not.)


One last thing....the military is all about the trivial details. You could end a career based in trivial details.

FLMomof5,

Thanks for your insight. I'm sure it is just a crap shoot at getting the best deal. It certainly was when I enlisted 30 years ago, but I had the leverage of youth. Now I don't have the youth, but scaleable skill and education.

Therefore, is the Army shortage in nursing just because of the "War" or has there always been a shortage but increased by the war?

Thanks,
Gruffy

[SoldierNurse]

FLMomof5,

Thanks for your insight. I'm sure it is just a crap shoot at getting the best deal. It certainly was when I enlisted 30 years ago, but I had the leverage of youth. Now I don't have the youth, but scaleable skill and education.

Therefore, is the Army shortage in nursing just because of the "War" or has there always been a shortage but increased by the war?

Thanks,
Gruffy

Both, the ANC is short D/T GWOT, as well as pretty much the norm.

[SoldierNurse]

Absolutely please expand on your thoughts. We may be the same age, but you are already in and as a CPT. My thoughts are that since we are in the "WAR" there is a higher need. Once the "War" ends, the demand will drop.

Any info is good info.

Thanks,
Gruffy

I don't see "the war", i.e. GWOT soon to be focused in Afghanistan, ending any time soon.

Most RC ANC officers that get mobilized to active duty are used at Army Medical Centers as backfill to fill the vacancies left by those AC ANC officers PROFIS & deployed to a CSH OCONUS.

[FLMomof5]

Hey there FL mom of 5,

If I were to go Reserves, what location and unit would I be doing my drills at? The only place I can find on the internet is Army Reserve Medical Command in Pinellas Park, FL. Not sure if I can even do drills there or not. I understand that the Jacksonville hospital is Tricare. Is that where I would drill?

Thank so much for your input,
Gruffy

Not sure where the drills would be.....I never asked. I'll see what can find out.

[jek2839]

Hi All,

I have been a member of Ultimate Nurse for four years, but have not had anything to say, until now.

I live in the Dallas-Texas metro area and plan to go down to San Antonio-TX, some time late this summer to talk with a Nurse Recruiter. I plan to join the ranks of the AC ANC, upon completing my MSN program in May 2010.

I am former AC Army, with 13 years (6 = RN & 7 = LPN) of combined civilian nursing experience. I have been out of the military for some time now.

I hope the ANC still needs Psych Nurses and I hope to be commissioned as an O2E vs O1E.

Regards,

[SoldierNurse]

Hi All,

I have been a member of Ultimate Nurse for four years, but have not had anything to say, until now.

I live in the Dallas-Texas metro area and plan to go down to San Antonio-TX, some time late this summer to talk with a Nurse Recruiter. I plan to join the ranks of the AC ANC, upon completing my MSN program in May 2010.

I am former AC Army, with 13 years (6 = RN & 7 = LPN) of combined civilian nursing experience. I have been out of the military for some time now.

I hope the ANC still needs Psych Nurses and I hope to be commissioned as an O2E vs O1E.

Regards,

Good luck! BTW, sent you a PM... just in case you want to talk to an AC ANC CPT while your in SATX.

[SoldierNurse]

Hi All,

I have been a member of Ultimate Nurse for four years, but have not had anything to say, until now.

I live in the Dallas-Texas metro area and plan to go down to San Antonio-TX, some time late this summer to talk with a Nurse Recruiter. I plan to join the ranks of the AC ANC, upon completing my MSN program in May 2010.

I am former AC Army, with 13 years (6 = RN & 7 = LPN) of combined civilian nursing experience. I have been out of the military for some time now.

I hope the ANC still needs Psych Nurses and I hope to be commissioned as an O2E vs O1E.

Regards,

Yes, I know for a fact the AMEDD is short on Psych RNs and is an excellent time for those with your specialty to come on board. You will be looking good regards to future promotions. However, be advised you will be highly deployable. Again, would be happy to chat one on one, if you like.