Graduated in June, test NCLEX in July and head to Army training next!

[Gennaver]

... Again, very glad to hear the good news. Keep up the good work & I'm sure you will do fine on the NCLEX. I have an exam coming up, too. I will be taking the CCRN exam this September in Baghdad. I sure hope I get to travel via helicopter, rather than convoy to Baghdad. LOL, should be I nervous about passing the CCRN exam, or about mortars, rockets, IEDs, etc? I think I'll just focus on the exam and not worry about the other stuff. I worked over 17 hours during the Mass Cal I was really not scared upon the initial attack D/T too busy thinking about the what is my next safest action. Oops, there I go again being selfish talking about ME.

Keep in touch,

Cary James Barrett, CPT AN
TF 31 Medical Bucca
31st Combat Support Hospital
APO AE 09375

Cary!!

It is more than good to read you, (never enough about 'you', keep it coming when you can.

You have been so helpful to me while I was going through my application process, very helpful and encouraging.

Is that a postal addy you listed, CPT? Congrats on that and well wishes to your Mrs. too.

I've got my apartment waiting at Alamos Heights for me. I am very nervous about NCLEX suddenly.

The other day myself and three other nurses went with our recruiter to Indianapolos to get our uniforms and some gear for OBLC. It feels pretty soon now. On the way back we were talking about people's reactions to the news that we 'went Army'. Three of us already have told people, in response to the question of "what if they send you to Iraq?" That we would volunteer to go. This is not flippant talk, maybe it is deployment envy, even though it is a humongous big deal, but, I believe we were all serious.

Next on the way home from dropping the other three nurses off and heading back to the home office, where my car was, my recruiter saw a soldier in his ACUs waiting at a bustop so we gave him a lift to the terminal. He just got his orders for his third tour. He said that he was actually glad to go this time.

Hooah, and feel welcomed to share, on forum or pm, you are very helpful.

Gen-soon to be newbie RN!, ex lab tech, ex-cna, ex-med assist....ready!

[syudent1010@aol.com]

I also have had many people, even my own family, respond to me by asking if I am scared that I could go to Iraq. Even though I have only ROTC experience, not active duty or reserve, I am not really scared. I feel like you and your friends, if I go I go. I want to become a nurse in the ANC because I want to help our men and women that are fighting for beliefs that we hold as americans. MagRedC5 talked about the reality of conditions over there, but just like him I would hope that even though part of me might be a little concerned, I would do what I have been trained to do, To save those I can and know that those I couldn't save at least had people that truly care about them working on them. I loved your story about picking up the soldier and giving him a ride to where he needed to go. that is one of the many things I love about the army mind set, we are a big family and most people try to help one another. Sorry about the long response, but I had to respond! Hooah!

[SoldierNurse]

Cary!!

It is more than good to read you, (never enough about 'you', keep it coming when you can.

You have been so helpful to me while I was going through my application process, very helpful and encouraging.

Is that a postal addy you listed, CPT? Congrats on that and well wishes to your Mrs. too.

I've got my apartment waiting at Alamos Heights for me. I am very nervous about NCLEX suddenly.

The other day myself and three other nurses went with our recruiter to Indianapolos to get our uniforms and some gear for OBLC. It feels pretty soon now. On the way back we were talking about people's reactions to the news that we 'went Army'. Three of us already have told people, in response to the question of "what if they send you to Iraq?" That we would volunteer to go. This is not flippant talk, maybe it is deployment envy, even though it is a humongous big deal, but, I believe we were all serious.

Next on the way home from dropping the other three nurses off and heading back to the home office, where my car was, my recruiter saw a soldier in his ACUs waiting at a bustop so we gave him a lift to the terminal. He just got his orders for his third tour. He said that he was actually glad to go this time.

Hooah, and feel welcomed to share, on forum or pm, you are very helpful.

Gen-soon to be newbie RN!, ex lab tech, ex-cna, ex-med assist....ready!

Yes, that is my current address while deployed to Iraq. I was promoted to Captain back in May, DOR 5-01-07.

BTW, the question should not be... "what if they send you to Iraq?", rather ... "when will they send you to Iraq?". That is the reality of the SURGE right NOW. My original orders stated 374 days, or until mission completed. Well, soon after arriving in Iraq we were ALL told we were being extended an additional three months. So, my deployment is now for 15 months. Plus, there is a little place of very special interest [IRAN] that is getting to be a hotbed, and I ain't talking about sleeping in a jacuzzi, either!

I don't mean to scare anybody, just giving out a dose of reality.

- Army Strong

[Gennaver]

Yes, that is my current address while deployed to Iraq. I was promoted to Captain back in May, DOR 5-01-07.

....

I don't mean to scare anybody, just giving out a dose of reality.

- Army Strong

Good to read you,

Glad to know its okay to shoot some words of hello to you over there.

I figure that anyone who commissions in as an Active Duty nurse when nurses are being sent on their fourth or more year long deployment should pretty much anticipate being sent. Since I've got the three kitty cats I have found a "noble foster" who will be a foster parent to them if/when I am deployed or sent to trainings. I would be surprised if I was 'not' send with a unit.

On another note, I've been posting in the NCLEX thread lately, I tested yesterday and am waiting my quick results. They will not be up until tomorrow morning. Agh.

Glad to read you again.
Gen