LPN in the Army at my age

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I'll be 38 when I get my LPN. Please, I can't afford the BSN on my CNA salary and twins due. Rhe LPN makes sense for me. I always wanted to be in the Service. I know LPN is enlisted. Could I come in as an E4 maybe? What opportunities are there to continue to my BSN in the future? I am relocating my family to Virginia upon graduating. The Navy uses corpmen, I know.

Also, does Army personnel work in naval facilities and vice versa?

I made an appointment for tomorrow morning. I looked on the site and it says if I have 48+ semester credits I come in as an E-3. I may be wrong to figure E-4 with LPN certification. Shouldn't an LPN be a Specialist (68W-M6 or 68C depending on when LPN gets its own MOS).

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

I was kind of figuring you'd come in as an E-4 with the LPN, even without the credits/degree. Good luck tomorrow!

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I hate to burst your bubble, but keep in mind that if you enter right now, and ESPECIALLY if you get slotted as an LPN, you could be working some ridiculous hours to makeup for the furloughed civilians. I'm talking 60-80 hours a week without compensation for overtime.

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That's not a bubble-bustin' scenario. It's an opportunity to show how invaluable I am to an organization. While your news can rain on other's parade I dance in that very downpour. I look forward to the challenge.

Maybe this is what they mean by making us Army Strong..

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

So did you have your meeting with the recruiter? What did they say?

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Definitely E-4 during BCT. Specialist. Either meet height/weight or bodyfat % requirements. LPN will have a MOS 68C soon (hope that's correct). No longer a Whiskey (Charlie now?)

The associate degree helps for later.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
LPN will have a MOS 68C soon (hope that's correct). No longer a Whiskey (Charlie now?)

Right. LPNs were given the special identifier of M6 under the combat medic/healthcare specialist MOS, 68W. So LPNs used to be 68WM6 for their MOS. Soon they'll be 68C. Not sure when that's happening, but I heard that it was. Kind of similar to my AOC (officers have Areas of Concentration, AOCs, not Military Occupation Specialties, MOSs), which is a 66HM5. 66H is a med/surg nurse, and the M5 means that I have an ER identifier. ICU nurses are 66H8A. There was talk of converting M5s and 8As to one identifier, 66T (trauma nurse), but that hasn't happened yet. Welcome to the alphabet soup! :D

So I assume your age was okay?

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Yes it is. It's kinda odd to think about being the "pops" at BCT but I'm liking it. Also, there are continued benefits even with the Sequestration.

Alphabet Soup is the order of the day!

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

If this is what you want, go for it.

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I am an LPN in the Army and maybe I didnt understand your reasoning for wanting to join. But do realize until the MOS changes you will also have to be an EMT basic. They will give you that training and it's another certification you have to keep up. You might also not work in the capacity of a nurse all the time because you are a Health Care Technician first (used to be Combat Medic). With all the downsizing-it's something to really think about.

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CDH504 may I ask if you came in as an LPN or did you go to AIT? I'm wondering if I'd already be an LPN would AIT be required.

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I actually came in as an OR Tech. LPN is my 2nd job and I did get it through the Army but it is my primary job now. I know some girls in the military who were grandfathered in by taking a special course because they were LPN's already. But I am not sure how that works or if it's still offered.

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