[Dino]

Hi, Just wanted to post and ask anyone out there who can help with information on whether or not I should even attempt to apply to the military for nursing. I have been accepted into a 2nd degree BSN program, I have no doubts I will do well. I am 35 years old and am aware of the increased age limit, thus I passed that hurdle. I have a degree in biology over 3.0 gpa, even attended a chiropractic program, however elected not to finish due to high cost of attending, gpa was over 3.0 as well. I tutored RN students in Anatomy and Physiology, Chemistry, Histology etc... at a local college. I rally want to have a career in the military as an RN and eventually pursue anesthesia. The only problem for me is the concerns about getting a waiver for mild hypertension. I feel that I will be passed right up because of it. Can a waiver be granted for this case? I am actually in great shape, I run, bike, work out, but I do get nervous when I get a physical and as a result my BP goes up. Honestly, I am in 10x better shape than my best friend who is a naval officer, and just can't understand why I probably won't even get to apply. Any help or suggestions?

[DanznRN]

Dino-

Greensburg huh? Used to work at Westmoreland Regional Medical Center when I was in school. Anyway, you never know until you talk to someone. Your condition sounds like "whitecoat hypertension." If you can demonstrate, through the other areas of your physical, that you are healthy, you should be O.K. What's the worst they can say "no." Right now the answer is no because your haven't tried. Go for it. As for your friend, tell'em it's PRT time and I did my run in 10:13 (1 1/2 miles), maxed my push-ups (80) and Sit-ups (98), not bad for a 32 yr-old father of 3? Ask him or her what he did it in.

LT Dan

[HawaiiRN808]

I would bypass the US Air Force Nurse Corps at this time. The AF is restructuring and promotion opportunites are at a standstill. They have postponed the past two Major (O-4) promotion board, kicked out "older" nurses, and now deploy nurses for 6 months to Iraq. Only you can make the decision to go green (army), go blue (air force), or go navy.

I would like to recommend another option. It is called the US Public Health Service Corps. Basically, you are commissioned as an Officer in the USPHS and have the option of working at various Department of Health agencies including the Bureau of Prisons, Dept. Immigrations, Homeland Security, etc. You are considered a Uniformed Service member and get the same pay and benefits as a military officer would; however, you do not deploy to wars. As a USPHS nurse, you can deploy to natural disasters or national emergencies. Please check them out http://www.usphs.gov I think you'll like what you see.

I am not a PHS nurse, but in the USAF so I am not sugar coating the PHS. Good luck in your future endeavors.

Captain HawaiiRN808

[sunnyjohn]

Originally Posted by HawaiiRN808

I would bypass the US Air Force Nurse Corps at this time. The AF is restructuring and promotion opportunites are at a standstill. They have postponed the past two Major (O-4) promotion board, kicked out "older" nurses, and now deploy nurses for 6 months to Iraq. Only you can make the decision to go green (army), go blue (air force), or go navy.

I would like to recommend another option. It is called the US Public Health Service Corps. Basically, you are commissioned as an Officer in the USPHS and have the option of working at various Department of Health agencies including the Bureau of Prisons, Dept. Immigrations, Homeland Security, etc. You are considered a Uniformed Service member and get the same pay and benefits as a military officer would; however, you do not deploy to wars. As a USPHS nurse, you can deploy to natural disasters or national emergencies. Please check them out http://www.usphs.gov I think you'll like what you see.

I am not a PHS nurse, but in the USAF so I am not sugar coating the PHS. Good luck in your future endeavors.

Captain HawaiiRN808

HAWAIIRN,


Thanks for this link. The USPHS looks very interesting. It might be just the thing for someone who wants to serve, but would like to stay stateside!