Need Info re: Army Nurse Corps

Specialties Government

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Specializes in Oncology.

Hello all! I am new to this forum and am so glad that I found you guys. I have learned so much from reading posts! I still have some questions. I gradute from a BSN program next month (August 6th, 2009). I am very interested in going into active duty in the Army. One of the reasons I am focusing on army is because I have 3 years of prior service as an enlisted member. That was years ago!!! I really am not interested in any other branch of service. So..... here is my dilemma. I am 45. I will be 46 next month (30th). So, apparently on the older side. I am in good shape, I am not too concerned about the physical side of things. However, I have been reading that the Army is easily meeting its quota for nurses and am concerned that my age may be a deterrent to my admission. I was also reading that there will be a credit check and I think my credit rating is pretty bad. I'm not sure how bad, but I know it is bad. On the bright side, I have a 4.0 GPA and I was wondering if GPA is a consideration when your packet goes before the board. So, here are my questions

1) Do you think my age will be a deterrent

2) How much weight is given to bad credit

3) How much weight is given to GPA

4) I have read the officer training at FSH is offered 4 times a year... does anyone know what these times are?

If accepted, I am trying to figure out when I may be actually entering into service. I have read that it takes many months so I a wondering if I should go ahead and take a job I have already been offered while waiting on the approval or rejection!

Thank you all so very much!

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I know for the Air Force it took me about a year to get my packet reviewed and a date for COT.

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.
hello all! i am new to this forum and am so glad that i found you guys. i have learned so much from reading posts! i still have some questions. i gradute from a bsn program next month (august 6th, 2009). i am very interested in going into active duty in the army. one of the reasons i am focusing on army is because i have 3 years of prior service as an enlisted member. that was years ago!!! i really am not interested in any other branch of service. so..... here is my dilemma. i am 45. i will be 46 next month (30th). so, apparently on the older side. i am in good shape, i am not too concerned about the physical side of things. however, i have been reading that the army is easily meeting its quota for nurses and am concerned that my age may be a deterrent to my admission. i was also reading that there will be a credit check and i think my credit rating is pretty bad. i'm not sure how bad, but i know it is bad. on the bright side, i have a 4.0 gpa and i was wondering if gpa is a consideration when your packet goes before the board. so, here are my questions

1) do you think my age will be a deterrent

depends on if the army is allowing age waivers. if you get your packet in right away it might not since you will still might be 62 when you complete 20 years of active service. if you have good years in the reserves that will also help.

2) how much weight is given to bad credit

could hurt depending if it is just bad credit or if you have judgements against you. bad credit can prevent you from getting a security clearance and all officers need a secert clearance.

3) how much weight is given to gpa

has to help

4) i have read the officer training at fsh is offered 4 times a year... does anyone know what these times are?

sorry, can not help you here.

if accepted, i am trying to figure out when i may be actually entering into service. i have read that it takes many months so i a wondering if i should go ahead and take a job i have already been offered while waiting on the approval or rejection!

takes at least 6 months before you can go up to the board, if you & your recruiter bust your butts off the packet might be able sooner. once you have been picked up for active duty it takes 30-90 days to get your orders to the next oblc class with seats.

thank you all so very much!

you need to talk with a recruiter & start on your security clearance asap. i am not sure if the investigation has to be started or completed before you go to the board. but, you have to have the clearance to go on active duty.

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Specializes in Oncology.

Thanks for the info! :bow: What are considered good years in reserve? It has been so long ago I can't remember, but when I discharged years ago I had some years of inactive reserves. Does that count toward anything?

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

no IRR does not count towards retirement. It does count for Time In Service thou which would increase your pay. Did you do any drilling as a reserve?

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Specializes in Oncology.

No. I didn't do anything. Thank you so much for the information.

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

good luck on your endovers. Have you spooken to the Navy & AF? It is always good to see what the other services have to offer also.

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Specializes in Oncology.

I have not. I'm not sure what the age limit is for AF and Navy. It couldn't hurt to check it out. Thanks

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no IRR does not count towards retirement. It does count for Time In Service thou which would increase your pay. Did you do any drilling as a reserve?

Are you saying that since I have 6 yrs prior service active duty, and the additional 2 yrs IRR, (everyone signs a 8 yr contract) that when I come back in my pay will be based on 8 yrs TIS rather than the 6? (starting pay as an O-1E w/ 8yrs TIS)

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.
Are you saying that since I have 6 yrs prior service active duty, and the additional 2 yrs IRR, (everyone signs a 8 yr contract) that when I come back in my pay will be based on 8 yrs TIS rather than the 6? (starting pay as an O-1E w/ 8yrs TIS)

That is correct since you could have been activited during that 2 years you where in the IRR.

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