[StudentNurseKMA]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new here and just wanted to post a few questions I've had. I think I did a pretty good job reading over the forum so I wouldn't ask questions that have been asked multiple times already, but if I do I apologize!

Right now I'm transferring to a different nursing school. When I'm done with school, I'd like to join the military. I will be graduating in December of 07. I've been working really hard on getting into the best shape of my life (even though I'm only 22, I got a bit out of shape after highschool!) and can't wait till I've achieved all my goals.

At my old school there were recruiters on hand and I've read over the information they gave me and I'm really interested! I will have my ADN. I was thinking the best bet for my was to join the Army Nurse Corps Reserves. This is where it gets tricky. I WANT and WILL continue my education (I need the money to do so....) and figured since I want to be in the military the reserves is the best route. The information I picked up and the recruiter told me that you have to have your ADN for the reserves and in order to move up past Captain and become active duty status is to get your BSN or higher. The information I received would be that I'd receive a $15,000 sign on bonus for reserves (5G each year for three years) and would have to make a commitment of 8 years in the reserve. Now, my question is I'm pretty sure I'm capable of completing my RN-MSN before those 8 years are up. I guess what I'm asking is will I be able to go to Active Duty full time and leave the reserves? Will Active Duty cancel out
(so to speak) the reserve commitment?

Also, I know there is tuition assistance after members leave the Military for school (GI BILL), but are there any programs to help you while you are in school for your ASN? I think I read in another thread that BSN students get monthly stipends? Also, will they pay back loans for an adn degree? I contacted a healthcare recruiter who sent me information by email and I emailed him some of these questions but haven't heard anything back. (So surprising since lots of threads have comments about not giving personal info because they don't want a million calls).

If anyone is able to help me out with this I would appreciate it! Have a great day!

[NursePamela]

Lots of people are reserve first than go active. Sometimes rank does not always transfer the same but it MAY for nurses. Also your time towards retirement counts but may vary. I do not know the exact rule. Good luck!

[KScott]

I didn't go in the Army as a nurse, but I can tell you, I joined the Army Reserve, before I went Regular Army. Yes, if you go regular, active duty, (not just active as a reserve), your new contract cancels out your old one. Sorry, I can't answer your questions regarding tuition assistance.

My first recruiter specialized in recruiting nurses to the Army. (I don't know how he got ahold of me!) Is this the type of Army recruiter you've been talking to? If not, try to find one. Maybe, another place to ask would be at the ROTC office, if they have one at a university near you.

Good luck!

On edit:

I'm sure you've seen this, but in case you haven't...

HEALTH PROFESSIONS LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM
The Health Professions Loan Repayment Program for Active Duty Officers provides up to $30,651 (less tax) for repayment of educational loans for nurses. The Active Duty commitment is three years.
ARMY NURSE CANDIDATE PROGRAM
If you’re currently a junior or senior nursing student attending an accredited Bachelor of Science Nursing Program you could earn a monthly stipend of $1,000 and a bonus of $10,000 ($5,000 at signing and $5,000 at completion.) To be eligible you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen
• Be enrolled full-time in an accredited BSN program
  • Juniors – No ROTC affiliated Schools
  • Seniors – All accredited BSN Schools
• No less than six months and no more than 24 months until BSN completion
• Minimum 3.2 GPA
• Prior service must be able to complete 20 years active commissioned service before age 60
• Meet minimum enlistment and appointment qualifications
  • Juniors – Five years Active Duty obligation
  • Seniors – Four years Active Duty obligation

http://www.goarmy.com/amedd/nurse/corps_benefits.jsp

[StudentNurseKMA]

Thanks for responding. I did contact a healthcare recruiter. Do the recruiters normally give you the time if you still have a year and a half till graduation? Or do they normally wait till your graduation is approaching? (hopefully that makes some sense.) Thanks in advance for your help.

[KScott]

I don't know what their timetable is, but I'm sure they won't mind talking to you, at all. I know, if I were in your position, I would be driving them crazy with questions! By the time a year and a half went by, the recruiter and I would be the best of friends! (And, I'm sure he, or she, would celebrate the day I left for training! LOL!)

[Corvette Guy]

Originally Posted by StudentNurseKMA

Thanks for responding. I did contact a healthcare recruiter. Do the recruiters normally give you the time if you still have a year and a half till graduation? Or do they normally wait till your graduation is approaching? (hopefully that makes some sense.) Thanks in advance for your help.

Makes perfect sense to me. Explain to an Army Health Care Recruiter you are serious & when you will graduate from an accredited nursing program [ADN = Reserve Component]. It can take 3-9 months for your ANC direct commission application packet to go through for approval. I'd think any reasonable Army Health Care Recruiter would be more than happy to give you the time of day once they see your sincere about becoming a Soldier Nurse in the Army Nurse Corps.

Plus, tell the AHC Recruiter you plan on enrolling in an RN-BSN program soon after your ADN graduation, then once you have your BSN will request a release from the Reserves and take oath for direct commission into the Active Component. I accepted oath for direct commission into the [RC] Army Nurse Corps in 2003, then completed an RN-BSN program the following year. Early this year I was released from my Reserve Unit and accepted direct commission, again, except this time for the Active Component.

BTW, no regrets!

[olivedrab]

Originally Posted by Corvette Guy

Makes perfect sense to me. Explain to an Army Health Care Recruiter you are serious & when you will graduate from an accredited nursing program [ADN = Reserve Component]. It can take 3-9 months for your ANC direct commission application packet to go through for approval. I'd think any reasonable Army Health Care Recruiter would be more than happy to give you the time of day once they see your sincere about becoming a Soldier Nurse in the Army Nurse Corps.

Plus, tell the AHC Recruiter you plan on enrolling in an RN-BSN program soon after your ADN graduation, then once you have your BSN will request a release from the Reserves and take oath for direct commission into the Active Component.

Where would the ADN's fall under? I thought that the ANC only accepted BSN's? Also, is there a place for not-yet-grads of ADN programmes to join up in the RC while waiting/studying?

Thanks! and i hope the o/p doesn't mind me piggybacking on his/her question....

[IU95]

BSN is required for active duty ANC. ASN can get you a commission in the ANC reserves.

[Corvette Guy]

Originally Posted by olivedrab

Where would the ADN's fall under? I thought that the ANC only accepted BSN's? Also, is there a place for not-yet-grads of ADN programmes to join up in the RC while waiting/studying?

Thanks! and i hope the o/p doesn't mind me piggybacking on his/her question....

Reserve Component [RC] ANC accepts ADN's, however not promotable to the rank of Major.

BTW, an RC ANC Soldier w/ADN can get mobilized onto active duty for 12-18 months. However, once demobilized you go back to RC.

When I took oath for direct commission in Reserve ANC [as an ADN] I was already in a RN-BSN online program. I completed the program, then later submitted packet for direct commission into Regular Component ANC. My packet was accepted and now on active duty with three year committment.

[StudentNurseKMA]

Originally Posted by olivedrab

Where would the ADN's fall under? I thought that the ANC only accepted BSN's? Also, is there a place for not-yet-grads of ADN programmes to join up in the RC while waiting/studying?

Thanks! and i hope the o/p doesn't mind me piggybacking on his/her question....

No I don't mind Someone probably already answered the first part of the question, but you can do the reserves, but not go active duty. I don't think there is anywhere for us to join up while in the program (anyone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong cause I would be interested in such a program if it did exist). I mean, I *believe* we would be able to enlist, but not be comissioned. Again, I'm not yet in the army so I'm not sure on this. I would call a recruiter and ask. I finally got an email back from the recruiter I was trying to contact. Hopefully we'll be able to meet and set something up to talk more about the reserves. If I'm not graduating till next December, is it too early to start this? Or should I wait till sooner to sit down and talk with recruiter. My thought is it's never too early. Thanks.