40-yr-old ADN wants to join army reserves,

Yes it is, but there are not many slots for new (in the Army) ADN nurses so contact a healthcare recruiter right away. Make sure it is a healthcare recruiter vs an enlisted recruiter.

Unless things change a age waiver will be needed to go on active duty. The last I heard was they where not being approved at this time since more nurses are stating on active duty at this time. But like everything it is subject to change. If our economy has improved by the time you get your BSN they might be approving them then as more nurses leave the service. A HC recruiter can give you better answers on how things stand today for the age waivers. I have also heard about a program with 2 years of active duty for older nurses but do not know much about it.

You will do 1 weekend a month, 2 weeks a year. If you use the STRAP program you will have the choice of either drilling or not, it is up to you. Not sure of how they start paying but you can start school now and once approved they the STRAP payments will start. Do not know if you have to wait until the start of a semester for the payments to start or from the day you are approved. If you are using STRAP you will not be deployed.

I'm also 40 with an ADN and was looking into the Army. This is what I've been told, if you want to go active and do not have prior service you must sign your active duty contract before turning 42 years old to ensure you can get 20 years in before mandatory retirement age at 62. If you go reserves initially there is a chance that you can switch over to active duty when you get your BSN (must first be released from your reserve unit which can take significant time) prior to turning 42, but no guarantees. You can submit your active duty application packet 12 months out so the advice I was given was to find an accelerated RN to BSN program, get enrolled, send packet forward when within 12 months of graduation, use student loans to pay for school and take loan repayment on your initial active duty contract. No idea how new incentives/requirements for fiscal 2010 would effect this plan.

Good Luck!!

I have not, but the recruiter told me if I signed a 4 year contract (in his opinion) there would be a 100% chance of being deployed.

Check out this blog of an Army nurse current deployed:

http://nursebeth.blogspot.com/

It's a honor to serve and care for those protecting us abroad.