I am considering joining the Army, and have a few questions...

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I was hoping I could find a few answers from those in the forum. Currently, I work in a Wellness Center as an assistant to a Physician and a PA. I guess my job description would be a combination of a medical assistant, LPN, and exercise physiology. I love what I do, but I really want to go to nursing school. I spoke with a recruiter (Army) and he stated the Army would place me according to my current job description, and then they would be able to send me to nursing school at Fort Sam Houston, or one that is local. I would go in as an officer (I have a Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion and finishing my Master's in Health and Human Performance). Has anyone done something similar or have any advice? I definitely do not want to go overseas, but would love to help those in the states. I guess the Army can't guarantee where you will end up. I spoke with the Air Force Nurse recruiter, but he stated that to go in the Air Force, they would need someone who already has their RN/BSN, or LPN. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I don't think you quite understand, I moonlighted at a civilian hospital in my downtime

I understand just fine.

any hoot I am not quite convinced you were in the service. Where were you stationed? What was your MOS code?......

You have no idea how many times I've played the "I don't believe you were ever in the Army game". I'll play you one round but if it turns into what it normally turns into, I'll be ignoring you from now on as this isn't the proper forum for engaging in pointless "internet fights". As I said, I was infantry. I was an 11M until they made us all 11Bs a few years ago. For my active duty enlistment, I was stationed at Fort Hood in the First Cavalry division. I was in the second brigade, first battalion/fifth regiment. Now tell me Mike, what on earth did I say to you that would cause you to doubt my service?

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I was on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 335 (and they called us off of leave early once too) days out of the year. That's 8,040 hrs a year which means to make 100-120 dollars an hour, I would have had to have earned $804,000 to $964,000 a year. I'm pretty sure nobody makes that kind of money in the Army. .

What are you talking about?

I was in the infantry; It sounds like your hours must be a little different than mine. There is no possible way anyone in my unit would have had the time to work a second job..

You made your own choice no one forced you to join and you chose your career path.

Again sorry you chose what you chose, not my fault.

Mike

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What are you talking about?

About being available for duty 24/7. I thought it was all pretty self-explanatory.

You made your own choice no one forced you to join and you chose your career path.

And I don't regret it; I just wouldn't do it again now that I have done it.

Again sorry you chose what you chose, not my fault.

Don't be sorry for me Mike, I love the infantry and I never said anything was your fault; I was simply pointing out that your ability to obtain 5 degrees and moonlight on the side while serving in the U.S. Army is not necessarily indicative of the average Army experience. I would actually estimate that less than 5% of those who have served in the Army can relate to your experience.

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
About being available for duty 24/7. I thought it was all pretty self-explanatory.

And I don't regret it; I just wouldn't do it again now that I have done it.

Don't be sorry for me Mike, I love the infantry and I never said anything was your fault; I was simply pointing out that your ability to obtain 5 degrees and moonlight on the side while serving in the U.S. Army is not necessarily indicative of the average Army experience. I would actually estimate that less than 5% of those who have served in the Army can relate to your experience.

Your estimate of

:twocents:

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Your estimate of

Actually, I seriously doubt there is even a single infantry soldier that could honestly make the same claims as Mike. Regardless, there are only a handful of Army personel overall that would be in a position to do so. I'm sure most of them work either in a hospital or a chapel. Of the 512,400 active duty Army personel, I think it's safe to say that approximately 25,620 of them have the necessary flexibility and support to accomplish such things. I think it's even more safe to say that far fewer than that actually have accomplished such things.

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Some folks like the service, some folks don't.

Those that do should tell others of their experiences.

Those that didn't should also share.

I would much prefer to hear from BOTH groups of people than to walk in only knowing half the tale.

I think you guys/girls are all great for sharing,

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Glad to hear both sides.

I'm curious about ed. opportunities. I'm wondering if the lack of ed opportunities applies to both officers & enlisted, or just enlisted?

For instance, if you come in with a BSN, what is the likelihood that you're so strapped with work that you have no chance to further your ed &/or moonlight?

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Glad to hear both sides.

I'm curious about ed. opportunities. I'm wondering if the lack of ed opportunities applies to both officers & enlisted, or just enlisted?

For instance, if you come in with a BSN, what is the likelihood that you're so strapped with work that you have no chance to further your ed &/or moonlight?

The military has many programs where you can further your education and your job is to go to school. infact its much easier finacially to further your education while in the military. thats one of the reasons why im getting back into the military.

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I work in a civilian hospital also part-time L&D RN. I do not make more than I do in the Army. Don't forget I have a noncontribuitary retirement plan. I will retire when I am 38 and When will you retire? I don't pay any medical or dental insurance. How much do you pay? I was off work going through Chemo and Rad Tx for 6 months . I did not use one sick day or vacation day no leave of absence. And I still got a full salary on the 1st of every month. What would you do it if happened to you? :uhoh3: I love the Army and refuse to let anyone bad mouth it. :nono:

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I work part time. When it is time for a BSN nurse to go get their masters the army has a program called LTHET. In this program you take off your BDU's go to the school that you are accepted into of your choice for two years. And you still get paid the school sends the Army the bill. They chief nurse will assist you in the open career field for that year. The ARMY only needs so many FNP and midwives this FY the push is for ACNP- Acute Care Nurse Practicioners. Also the Army has their own CRNA and PA program that is taught on the Fort Sam Houston, TX. These programs are more military structured. Education is a must in the Army especially if you want to make it to Lt Col.

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I work part time. When it is time for a BSN nurse to go get their masters the army has a program called LTHET. In this program you take off your BDU's go to the school that you are accepted into of your choice for two years. And you still get paid the school sends the Army the bill. They chief nurse will assist you in the open career field for that year. The ARMY only needs so many FNP and midwives this FY the push is for ACNP- Acute Care Nurse Practicioners. Also the Army has their own CRNA and PA program that is taught on the Fort Sam Houston, TX. These programs are more military structured. Education is a must in the Army especially if you want to make it to Lt Col.

If anyone has a question about LTHET give me a buzz, I have done the process twice (once for Master's and once for PhD).

Mike

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i love the army and refuse to let anyone bad mouth it. :nono:

can i get an amen!!!!!

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