Military Nurse Reservist Question

Specialties Government

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So I have read quite a few of the threads on this site about people interested in entering Military Nursing and the various website for Air Force, Navy and Army Nursing Corps. When it comes to my career decisions, I tend to research a lot before deciding, but I am new to the military aspect of careers, hence this post.

So some background:

I am interested in joining a nursing corps as a reservist (I have not narrowed my interest to one over another). I am at the higher end of the age scale (44 & many people keep telling me that "waivers" are available), I have worked approx. 1.5 years on a medical/surgical floor and currently just over 1 year in an Adult Medical ICU. My BSN is my 3rd (yes, 3rd) Bachelors degree (Biology and Criminal Justice), and I am thinking of trying to obtain my CCRN certification. And before anyone asks, I am in decent shape for a 44yoa, I currently practice Brazilian Jiu-jitsu with a 2-stripe brown belt to my name and with work, I am able to train 2-4 days a week with active rolling of approx. 45minutes to an hour. Yes, I am married (just celebrated 20years this year) but kids are 4-legged and furry.

-Also I totally get the possibility of being "called" to active duty and being deployed, especially with all the terrorist things that have been happening of late.

-I have contacted the Army Nurse Corps and been contacted by the local (Indiana) Medical Recruiter (although we have not yet spoken with each other). This was before I learned of the Navy and Air Force nursing corps.

My question:

It seems to me that most, if not all have similar sign-on bonuses, nursing school loan repayments and required time commitments (between 3-6 years). And as I am not "hung-up" on one branch over another, can those that are reservists or have-been reservists RN's tell me the pro's and con's of each?

Also, correct or not - with the medical reserves, you will enter as an officer? And does each branch supply uniforms, needed equipment?

*Any and all information about medical reservists will be very helpful, I thank you all in advance.

Editorial Team / Moderator

Lunah, MSN, RN

14 Articles; 13,766 Posts

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

Unfortunately you are past the age for the Army Nurse Corps — the cut-off is 42, and waivers are difficult to come by in a time of drawdown (which we are definitely experiencing). But if you don't ask, the answer will always be no, right? Just don't be surprised if you don't get a waiver. One year of ICU is not enough to be commissioned in the ICU specialty because one civilian year equals 6 months of Army time. If you had two years of ICU and your CCRN, it would be much more possible, and your waiver might comes easier as well. But the longer you wait age-wise, the lesser your chances are.

As an officer, you are responsible for procuring your own uniforms (everything from boots to t-shirts). You may get a one-time uniform allowance, I'm not sure if that applies to the Reserves — I got it as an active duty Army nurse. Standard equipment is typically issued (things like Camelbaks, field equipment, etc.).

Was your BSN CCNE or ACEN accredited? The particular accreditation matters to some branches, while some accept either; all require accredited BSNs, though.

tprkt

12 Posts

thanks for the reply Pixie,

So what you are saying is that if "my skills are needed" than I probably will not receive a waiver, is that right?

And that the Military only gives you credit for 6mos for a full year worked, that's strange to me, but it is the gov't...

My BSN was from a CCNE accredited program.

tprkt

12 Posts

Pressed the space bar and it cut off my reply

I have heard of a co-worker who was recently sworn into the Army Nurse Corps and I have reached out to her via email, still waiting to hear back so I can hear the steps she went through, etc...

As for paying for uni's and such, that truly doesn't bother me, I've had to do that before for other jobs & received a 1x stipend to do so.

And I totally "get" you on the age thing... Again, thanks for the info, I'll eventually post back when I actually decide or "have it decided for me", if not able to obtain a waiver

Editorial Team / Moderator

Lunah, MSN, RN

14 Articles; 13,766 Posts

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
thanks for the reply Pixie,

So what you are saying is that if "my skills are needed" than I probably will not receive a waiver, is that right?

And that the Military only gives you credit for 6mos for a full year worked, that's strange to me, but it is the gov't...

My BSN was from a CCNE accredited program.

If your skills are needed, the waiver is more likely. CCNE is good — I believe that the Navy is picky about that. Be sure to check with all branches because needs do differ. Good luck!!

tprkt

12 Posts

I should have used "if my skills are in demand" not necessarily "needed"...

My main thought of posting this was to try and obtain those who have gone into a branch of nursing corps and what they learned/liked or disliked about the different branches of nursing corps... still trying find the real differences between all of them.

Appreciate your comments, thanks.

Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

I think that you'll find most branches don't really need anything right now. Deployment tempo is way down. In the Air Force, we only really need OR nurses or flight nurses (would need ICU experience).

There is also an AF need for ICU and ER nurses with between 1-7 years of full-time RN civilian experience. In other words, they need people that will start as 2nd or 1st Lieutenants.

The reason they only give you 50% credit is actually a very good one: you're more than a bedside nurse in the military. With all your nursing experience, you won't know anything about the military itself: military customs, wear of the uniform, supervision of junior personnel, etc. I find that experienced nurses come in with way too much rank as it is. Some come is as Captains (O-3s) and immediately supervise people without knowing how to wear the uniform, much less write military performance report bullets. Even with the 5 weeks of basic officer training you get, you're far from an expert on the military.

tprkt

12 Posts

Thanks jfratian

I totally understand that military life and civilian life are vastly different and that the basic officers training will not get everything firmly rooted on how the military wants things done. Plus (i'm sure that) some people get a big head about rank and try to show off, I'm just a humble, non-self horn tooting guy who wants to "right a self-proclaimed wrong" by not serving my county at an earlier age.

My co-worker got back with me and she joined the Army Nurse corps, still waiting hear on why she choose the Army over Navy or AF. As for the AF, my civilian goal is to be a flight nurse, so that would be right up my alley, although I have read other posts on this site saying that it is difficult to obtain in the AF.

But this all preliminary, just trying to do my due diligence about researching all the possible angles of the various nurse corps before I commit to one over the others, and who knows, I may not get selected anyway so this could just a waste of time...thanks, I appreciate the response

nurse2033, MSN, RN

3 Articles; 2,133 Posts

Specializes in ER, ICU.

You are not too old for the AF but you'd better hurry. The age is 48 but it can take a long time to get you in. I wouldn't expect any monetary inducements at this time. My unit does not have a bonus now but did a few years ago. Uniforms are provided when you enter and last a long time, not a significant expense. You need a bachelor's degree to be an officer, and a nursing degree to be a nurse. The best way to get in is find a reserve or guard unit near where you live that has nursing jobs. Contact the unit and they can facilitate your entry. Get their interest in you, and they will push recruitment. Good luck.

Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

Officers buy their own uniforms. You get a one-time uniform allowance when you join (I think it's $400 or so), but that doesn't really cover the $1500-$2000 in uniform costs. I would say they are a very significant expense.

Also, you may be able to join. However, the mandatory federal retirement age is still 62. I'm not sure if you'd be able to collect a retirement if you were somehow able to join.

Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

Flight is only really difficult to join due to the stringent medical requirements. They are more stringent than the basic military medical requirements. If you take pretty much any meds, then you'll need a waiver.

Specializes in Periop.

Do you know if they are offering sign on bonuses for Perioperative nurses in the Air Force Reserve?

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