Need advice,,, Quit my job and go for it? or go slow?

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I am an ADN and I have been thinking about going Air Force for many years now. This time I think I am finally going to give it a try. I am taking on line classes for my BSN (mini-mesters) and only have 5 classes left. In January I started a new job and I like it, although I would prefer to go active duty. My problem is I am not super human, I can not work, go to school, and still have a family life. So I have 2 choices, slow down school and graduate in March and than try my hand at active duty. OR,,, quit my job and gamble. School full time, Gym full time (I need to be in better shape), and still keep my sanity with my family. I would graduate in October (beginning of fiscal year) I guess I am writing this b/c I need advice. Do I put all my eggs in one basket? Meaning if I quit my job I will be pulling a "Nadya" and live off my student loans until I can get lucky enough for Uncle Sam to pay them off for me. Plus saying good bye to a good nursing job. I know what I want, I am just scared and need advice or encouragement. I am relatively healthy except for GERD which according to the list might need a waiver (hopefully it will not be a problem) Of course if I put all the eggs in one basket and I don't get in I am left with a very expensive basket. :cry: The only reason at this time I am getting my BSN is for the military. Thanks in advance.

Thanks. My leave of absence was so that I can focus on school (for the military) so therefore a LOA would not be covered in regards to USERRA. I am only 5 classes away from my BSN. I have wanting to go active duty for the last 16 years. I finally am getting close and the thought of going to school part time and dragging out those last 5 classes is killing me. I keep telling myself, it will happen. BUT I WANT IT NOW! :)

There is just no way I can go to school with a full load and work and have a family life. The stress is too high and the M&M's keep sticking to my A**. :bugeyes:

Thanks for the advice.

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

When will you be graduating? If it is next spring, start the process now. You can apply upto 1 year early, with the length of time it takes you will not be boarded until sometime in the fall anyway.

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SO,,, Not including MEPS and graduating, is there a lot to do?

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Security packet, letters of recommendation, statement of motivation, CV, copies of SS card and marriage cert, some general quick army admin paperwork...

I'd recommend maintaining a current 1x page statement of motivation and CV that you can gear towards the army.. just general format that you can adjust later at time of application. Have 3x nurses / supervisor / professor that you have in mind to write an LOR for you when you get closer to app.. you can talk to recruiter to get a general background packet that you can fill out NOW and then just update at time of application.. for many that security packet is the big pain in the butt item - which you could informally start now and save for later.

The thing you will have to do is 'wait' when you don't want to.. and you can't start early~

v/r

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

I agree just cause has it right. There will be times that the recruiter will come back to have paperwork clairified. Plan on 6-8 months before you hear back from the board, the process is not hard but can be frustrating at times. The security clearance paperwork is the hardest part.

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Specializes in Behavioral health.

I'm not a military nurse (yet) but was medic in the Air Force. Though I never saw a surplus of nurses, military recruiting needs do change. If the economy wasn't so weak I'd say go full time. To be jobless now is risky. As long as age isn't a factor, take your time. The military will still be there when you graduate and you'll have even more nursing experience offer.

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Security packet, letters of recommendation, statement of motivation, CV, copies of SS card and marriage cert, some general quick army admin paperwork...

I'd recommend maintaining a current 1x page statement of motivation and CV that you can gear towards the army.. just general format that you can adjust later at time of application. Have 3x nurses / supervisor / professor that you have in mind to write an LOR for you when you get closer to app.. you can talk to recruiter to get a general background packet that you can fill out NOW and then just update at time of application.. for many that security packet is the big pain in the butt item - which you could informally start now and save for later.

The thing you will have to do is 'wait' when you don't want to.. and you can't start early~

v/r

WHOA! I knew it took a long time but for some reason I thought it was all "Hi, my name is Pam!" Than let's do a physical and sign your name. That sounds like there might be a lot to do before i even get to the physical stage. Yikes! I thought it was just slow pushing the paper.

This LOR from my boss. Doesn't that mean your boss will know what you are doing?

The age this is a factor. I know you can get waivers but,,, I do want the retirement. And,,, I am relatively healthy but I will not go to the doctors now until I am in fear something my be found. Stupid I know but , hey, I am getting older.

Thanks again all!

Pam

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Do I put all my eggs in one basket? Meaning if I quit my job I will be pulling a "Nadya" and live off my student loans until I can get lucky enough for Uncle Sam to pay them off for me. Plus saying good bye to a good nursing job. I know what I want, I am just scared and need advice or encouragement. I am relatively healthy except for GERD which according to the list might need a waiver (hopefully it will not be a problem) Of course if I put all the eggs in one basket and I don't get in I am left with a very expensive basket. :cry: The only reason at this time I am getting my BSN is for the military. Thanks in advance.

For what it's worth, one of my BSN classmates just joined the Army and took her final oath last month. Her recruiter congratulated her for getting in when she did because he had received orders to stop recruiting nurses. His theory was that the money being used for the 114k BSN pay-off-your-loans-and-keep-the-rest bonus was being used for retention bonuses instead. Those already enlisted don't want to leave their jobs. Yes, you want to go Air Force, not Army -- but I wonder what the bonus situation is in that branch.

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It would DEFINITELY be a bonus to have loans paid for but that is not my driving force. I do know that things constantly change and I am prepared for that.

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For what it's worth, one of my BSN classmates just joined the Army and took her final oath last month. Her recruiter congratulated her for getting in when she did because he had received orders to stop recruiting nurses. His theory was that the money being used for the 114k BSN pay-off-your-loans-and-keep-the-rest bonus was being used for retention bonuses instead. Those already enlisted don't want to leave their jobs. Yes, you want to go Air Force, not Army -- but I wonder what the bonus situation is in that branch.

True, anecdotal statement....

It's with every MOS at every different grade in every service... the retention and bonuses are limited in overall amount and they balance to maintain critical manpower requirements. If you imagine a scenario where many people are flocking to the service - who otherwise might not... - due to unknown economical concerns and job market slow down then there isn't a need to spend money on incentives when the job itself is enough incentive to fill out the ranks... a few years ago when the economy wasn't great and there wasn't a war there wasn't a high need for incentives at that time either.. DOD could spend money elsewhere.. so perhaps more nurses are raising their hand to join - for whatever reason - then it only makes sense that bonuses would gradually shift to a more useful area.

But - bonus schedules and retention schedules occur once a year... when those slots are filled up then next year is evaluated based on what the predicted shortages are and the beat goes on ;)

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