Help: Joining Army Reserves as Nurse

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I dont know where to begin because everything seems to be travelling so fast. I am considering joining the Army as a Nurse, but dont know if I even meet the requirements that I have read about. My recruiter, which I think is wise not to believe, says I do. I just dont want to get everything set in stone, go through OCS and then find out that they needed to reclass me because it was discovered that I dont meet requirements.

My background. I am former USAF AD (8 years) and have a BS in Microbiology. I am 34 years old, and looking at getting my commission in the Army in the medical field. My recruiter got a letter stating that I will be headed in as a nurse(66E I believe), and I have a copy of that letter (from the hiring office). I have the commissioning board on 05Dec2007 and am going to MEPs immediately after to get all my dates (warrior training, OCS, and school).

My recruiter said that all I am required to have is 30 credits of Gen Ed, 30 credits in science, and a GPA of 2.75. Can anyone confirm this or am I having the wool pulled over my eyes? Also, what should I be looking out for?

Please feel free to email me if you have any additional info, but Ill check back here as well.

Thanks!

[email protected]

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

I am confused about the requirements. Are you a RN/BSN? If you're not a RN/BSN then you can not join the Army or any other military branch on active-duty as a nurse/RN.

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I am confused about the requirements. Are you a RN/BSN? If you're not a RN/BSN then you can not join the Army or any other military branch on active-duty as a nurse/RN.

So I got clarification tonight from my recruiter. I am not an RN/BSN. I dont have a degree in that yet. What is happening is that I am going to be put through a 4 week version of the 'warrior' training which isnt required of someone that is going as a direct commission. After the warrior training, I will be going to OCS. Upon graduation I will be a 2nd Lt, and will be doing my reserve committment until the next semester starts and Ill be enrolled, automatically, into either the AMEDD or a school of my choice for 12 months to complete an ASN from my existing BS.

This is just the way it was explained to me. Very unusual, but I have the paperwork that shows I am getting commissioned and hired as a 66H or 66E. I forget which, but its an OR Nurse.

Anyone else ever go through this?

Oh, and im joining the Army Reserves...not AD.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

That explains a lot. The only advice I can give you not being in the Army is to look into your contract to see what happens if you don't complete nursing school. Do you convert to another medical field, lose your commission, go to any available line officer spot..etc.

Good Luck sounds like a really good deal!

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That explains a lot. The only advice I can give you not being in the Army is to look into your contract to see what happens if you don't complete nursing school. Do you convert to another medical field, lose your commission, go to any available line officer spot..etc.

Good Luck sounds like a really good deal!

Thanks! Ill look into what happens if I dont complete nursing school. I already asked about if I would lose my commission, and the answer was no. As for where I would be places if I 'washed out', the answer was vague. Im going to press him for a definite answer and ask to see it in writting. Im really not worried about 'washing out', but its always nice to have a back up just in case. Im sure that I would be placed in the first available spot that needs a junior grade officer....needs of the Army.

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