Army Reserve Nursing

angelkerri · Oct 3, 2011

I'm thinking out loud...does the Guard hire nurses? I think not. I think it's just Active and Reserves...I may be completely wrong.

As it happens I was drilling this weekend and the local recruiter rolled through to ask if we might be able to help her find nurses for the Reserves. I told her I was interested in Active Duty and I got a bit of a run down on what they're looking for for so far for the Nov '11 and Nov '12 boards. Big changes, as already reported by Lunah, since just a year ago: no new grads, must have 2 years of experience. Very different from before! Also those with OR and Psych experience are pretty much automatic shoe-ins.

just_cause, BSN, RN · Oct 3, 2011

No, national guard does have a nurse corp. Obviously you have to look within your own state and then determine if there is a need and where they are located, etc.

Riversurfer · Jan 28, 2012

I am a Registered Nurse with almost two years experience on an inpatient surgical unit. I recently submitted my application to the Army Reserve. The recruiter seems to be very interested. I am curious as to why the Army is interested in Reserve RNs when the Army is looking to cut its forces by 80,000 troops. Any thoughts? I want to understand what the need of the Army is at this time, where they foresee their needs in the future, ultimately helping me understand what my role may be and where I may be sent. Thank you

Jason

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Jan 31, 2012

There will always be a need to bring on new troops which includes nurses. No one knows how the cuts will effect the force structure of the Army. A majority of the Army medical personal are in the reserves. The plan could be to cut active duty nurses and increase reserve nurses, only a quess.

Riversurfer · Jan 31, 2012

Thank you.

AZMOMO2 · Feb 1, 2012

I am a Registered Nurse with almost two years experience on an inpatient surgical unit. I recently submitted my application to the Army Reserve. The recruiter seems to be very interested. I am curious as to why the Army is interested in Reserve RNs when the Army is looking to cut its forces by 80,000 troops. Any thoughts?
Jason

That should answer why they are interested in you. They are only taking those with experience because they need them to get up and running pretty quickly, because the needs of the Army are combat related specialties and support services. IE. Surgical nurses.

Riversurfer · Feb 5, 2012

The more I think about it, the more excited I get. It could be one heck of an opportunity.

rustynail · Feb 7, 2012

The best to explain the supply and demand for RNs in the Reserve component (and National Guard, as well as Regular Army) is the AMEDD Journal:

http://www.cs.amedd.army.mil/AMEDDJournal/OctDec2011.pdf

Check out the graph on page 85.

Riversurfer · Feb 7, 2012

Thanks for the article. Concerning the graph, what does the x-axis represent?

rustynail · Feb 8, 2012

xx2 would stand for RNs with 2 years of experience. xx3 with 3 years, etc.

Riversurfer · Feb 14, 2012

Any Army insiders have insight into Advanced Care Nursing in the Army or Army Reserve? As mentioned in a previous post, I'm considering Army Reserve Nursing, but would like to attain NP, PA, or CRNA. Is there still an option to do this through the military and have them pay for it in return for say, three or four years service? Thanks

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Feb 14, 2012

Any Army insiders have insight into Advanced Care Nursing in the Army or Army Reserve? As mentioned in a previous post, I'm considering Army Reserve Nursing, but would like to attain NP, PA, or CRNA. Is there still an option to do this through the military and have them pay for it in return for say, three or four years service? Thanks

There are seats available in the reserves for critical care. It can be diffucult to get one of the seats. It is not because they are not available but because of funding since the seats are funded different in the reserves vs. active. In the Army there is no longer a ICU or ER course, they have been combined into a Trauma course.