new Army Nurse going Landstuhl, Germany

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Hello. I'm new to this but I just wanted to get some get some more information. I am a nursing student (RN-BSN) and Army ROTC cadet on my last semester of nursing school and Army ROTC. In May, I will be graduating as a nurse and commissioning as a 2nd LT in the Army. Anyways, I just found out that I got my first choice for my First Duty Station and it's Landstuhl, Germany. Of course, when I found out, I completely freaked out :yeah: and it's probably the best early Christmas gift ever! :D

I don't know anyone who has been to Germany as an Army nurse and was wondering how the area was and if you liked living there. So far, I've read only good things. Are there things to do around city? Is there a beach or something? How's the weather? Is it a big city? congested? Also, how was working in Landstuhl Regional Medical Center? I know there will be a lot of injured soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan so maybe a lot of critical care cases. Was it stressful? big? Did you feel lost? Did people help you? Are the native people there friendly? do they speak English? Do I have to learn how to speak German or is English good enough? Is housing easily available and is it affordable? How about the cost of living there? I know the Euro is more than the American dollar. Will I have enough time to travel through Europe while working as an Army nurse? How about a car? Do I need to buy a car? a little off topic, but are Mercedes or BMW's cheaper there? Is there anything else that I should know? Anything that I need to steer clear of?

I know these are a lot of questions but I've never been too far from home and on my own, plus living and starting out a whole new life in a foreign country (I'm single, so no family or friends in a big, foreign place!:no: lol.). Just really want to know any information that you have or any of your own personal experience living there. I kind of need to prepare myself for this whole new life and adventure before it happens. Thanks! :D

I have not taken my Nclex yet, but I feel pretty confident that I will pass it. Our school required really high scores on their exit exam and I did Kaplan and my scores are much higher then recommended. So you are going too! That is great to make contact with someone before even going there. I am coming from Fort Benning. I was a Medic and been in for six years now. Well, actually will have my anniversity day of six years the day we begin OBLC.

oops. sorry! but yes, thats great you're feeling confident. always a good sign! and i know you'll do awesome on it, esp. if you've been getting high scores!! I took kaplan too and it helped a lot!! Six years in the army, WOW! i'm new to the army so i'll be getting used to the army life. haha. we should definitely meet up when we report to OBLC and def. celebrate your 6 yrs in the army!!

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oops. sorry! but yes, thats great you're feeling confident. always a good sign! and i know you'll do awesome on it, esp. if you've been getting high scores!! I took kaplan too and it helped a lot!! Six years in the army, WOW! i'm new to the army so i'll be getting used to the army life. haha. we should definitely meet up when we report to OBLC and def. celebrate your 6 yrs in the army!!

Ditto that! I think I have to report a couple days earlier. Since I was not with ROTC and did the AECP I will not be commissioned until after I passed my Nclex and actually get down here. I am easy to find, since I have my real name listed here. Maybe that was not too smart lol. Oh well. I am likely the only soldier who speaks with a German accent so I stand out like a thorn.

Its kind of funny. My brothers all live over there in Germany and all of them served in the German Military. So when I call home..they say "The Traitor is on the phone" LOL. I told them, you guys keep that up, but you all will have to salute me!! so funny. Leaving home...to get stationed at home. It can not get any better. I did not realize that Landstuhl was hard to get as a duty station. I figured it would be easier to get, since I thought that liikely most of the young soldiers do not wish to go that far from home.

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Ditto that! I think I have to report a couple days earlier. Since I was not with ROTC and did the AECP I will not be commissioned until after I passed my Nclex and actually get down here. I am easy to find, since I have my real name listed here. Maybe that was not too smart lol. Oh well. I am likely the only soldier who speaks with a German accent so I stand out like a thorn.

Its kind of funny. My brothers all live over there in Germany and all of them served in the German Military. So when I call home..they say "The Traitor is on the phone" LOL. I told them, you guys keep that up, but you all will have to salute me!! so funny. Leaving home...to get stationed at home. It can not get any better. I did not realize that Landstuhl was hard to get as a duty station. I figured it would be easier to get, since I thought that liikely most of the young soldiers do not wish to go that far from home.

That is wonderful that you'll be able to go back home (Germany) and live there. Is your family near landstuhl? Since you speak German, you'll have to help me with it! i'm terrible! can't seem to remember any phrases or words. haha. My friends got me "how to speak german" books and such and i'm having a tough time! haha.

But i didn't know Landstuhl was a tough duty station to get. Well, i'm glad we're both going. I was thrilled when i found out that i got landstuhl! never been there except frankfurt airport. lol.

I haven't really heard that much about AECP since i did AROTC. how does it work?

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AECP is for enlisted soldiers. I liked it a lot, because they paid for your program, your books and your only obligation was to turn in your grades on time and to give them heads up on what classes would be taken for the next semester. Well, we also were required to pass our PT test every six month but other than that; that was it. They were very helpful and I will once I get down there actually enquire if they also assist with becoming later a Nurse Practionary. I do know they do the PA program as well. Further, I continued to receive my SGT pay and if I would have been eligable to be promoted you also can be promoted during schooltime. I have to say: Best program ever. Those people were so helpful and just very caring and concerned for their soldiers. I ought to meet my supervisor when I come down there and I look forward to meeting her.

In terms of Germany. It is kind of strange going to Landstuhl. My father died there in a hospital and now I am going there to be a Nurse. I told my dad when I was nine, when he died that I would become one day a nurse and I would help those who were as ill as he was. Now, after a long time I am finally accomplishing my dream and a promise that I had no idea I would be able to keep. I do not know much about Landstuhl, but I heard its very nice. I come from a small town, which is not to far off from landstuhl. Maybe an hour drive or so.

I certainly can help you with the German part. I think its always funny that they list German as my second language, when technically it is my first language lol. You will learn German real fast if you talk to Germans and you have no choice. That is truly how I learned English. Nobody spoke German when I came here and I had no choice in the matter.

I will be home likely over Christmas already, since I have not been home in a long time and my grandma who is 92 is waiting for me. That is if the ARMY will be able to send me two weeks early, but my supervisor said it should be no problem. My god I cant wait to eat german cakes again. We will have to workout all the time over there, their food and chocolate is just incredible.

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AECP is for enlisted soldiers. I liked it a lot, because they paid for your program, your books and your only obligation was to turn in your grades on time and to give them heads up on what classes would be taken for the next semester. Well, we also were required to pass our PT test every six month but other than that; that was it. They were very helpful and I will once I get down there actually enquire if they also assist with becoming later a Nurse Practionary. I do know they do the PA program as well. Further, I continued to receive my SGT pay and if I would have been eligable to be promoted you also can be promoted during schooltime. I have to say: Best program ever. Those people were so helpful and just very caring and concerned for their soldiers. I ought to meet my supervisor when I come down there and I look forward to meeting her.

In terms of Germany. It is kind of strange going to Landstuhl. My father died there in a hospital and now I am going there to be a Nurse. I told my dad when I was nine, when he died that I would become one day a nurse and I would help those who were as ill as he was. Now, after a long time I am finally accomplishing my dream and a promise that I had no idea I would be able to keep. I do not know much about Landstuhl, but I heard its very nice. I come from a small town, which is not to far off from landstuhl. Maybe an hour drive or so.

I certainly can help you with the German part. I think its always funny that they list German as my second language, when technically it is my first language lol. You will learn German real fast if you talk to Germans and you have no choice. That is truly how I learned English. Nobody spoke German when I came here and I had no choice in the matter.

I will be home likely over Christmas already, since I have not been home in a long time and my grandma who is 92 is waiting for me. That is if the ARMY will be able to send me two weeks early, but my supervisor said it should be no problem. My god I cant wait to eat german cakes again. We will have to workout all the time over there, their food and chocolate is just incredible.

The story with your dad and your dream of becoming a nurse was so touching. And I'm so glad you fulfilled your dream. He would be so proud of you! and now you can help so many others who are sick, just like those nurses who took care of your dad.

I come from a culture and family line of nurses. I'm filipino and if you know any filipinos, you'll know that they are either nurses or has a family member that is a nurse. My mom is a nurse and recently last year, my sister and cousin became nurses. And several of my mom's brother's and sister's are nurses. LOL. but even tho i'm surrounded by nurses and it was kinda expected of me to become one, I chose to be a nurse. I love everything that nurses do. It is such a great profession, don't you think?

Thanks for explaining AECP. I think that is such a great program for enlisted soldiers. Good for you for doing it. I think one of my classmates might have been doing that, but when she tried to explain it to me, I got so confused! lol.

Good luck studying for the NCLEX!! I'll be praying that you'll do well!!

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Interesting to learn about your background. I did not know that in the filipino culture the nursing career for women is so valued. I guess thinking about this it would make sense. I am glad that you followed your family footsteps, but even more that you based your decision on that you really wanted to do that. I have no great knowledge about the filipino culture, but I think you can bring me up to date on that one if we meet in San Antonio!!!

Thanks for your feedback on my dad's story. I am just soo excited to become a nurse and I hate this waiting period until they release my transcripts so I can finally take my Nclex.

Also, all these different programs are very confusing. They all though have the same end result!!!

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hey SusanneCollins13, just found out that i won't be going to oblc and landstuhl this year. I'll be going to oblc march 29 and then to landstuhl after. too bad! i'll have to see you in landstuhl when i get there around june i guess.

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I am still waiting on my Nclex date and I keep you updated. When I get to landstuhl I keep you up to date where I am at in the Hospital and let you know what I think of working there. Sorry to hear that you will be delayed. Would have been nice to meet eachother in OBLC. Cross my fingers that I pass my nclex the first try, otherwise I will not go either by January.

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hey SusanneCollins13, just found out that i won't be going to oblc and landstuhl this year. I'll be going to oblc march 29 and then to landstuhl after. too bad! i'll have to see you in landstuhl when i get there around june i guess.

Hey there Pink Rated... just came across this thread and congrats on getting Germany! I've heard a lot of ppl request it and not get it, so lucky you!!! I should find out next week if I made it in ANC... I'll graduate next May and hope to go to Madigan in Washington... I've heard of ppl getting bumped for later OBLC dates, but what caused you to be pushed all the way to March 2010? Seems like forever!!!

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Oh dont say that lots of people got pushed back. Do not jinks me!!! My grandma who is 92 is waiting on me to come home and she keeps telling me she wont make it past this year!!! I have not gotten orders yet so I am wondering now....

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SusanneCollins13, i will be praying for you!! and I hope your obc date will not be moved!! but we can always meet up in landstuhl...maybe work in the same unit?? who knows? LOL. Did you know they changed the Nursing Residency Program from 12 months to 6 months now?? hmm...just wondering...what unit would you like to work in? I'm really interested in ER and ICU but wouldn't mind working med/surg. Although I love kids and babies...no thanks! too much for me to deal with. LOL.

but in the meantime, i'm trying to get a job...i hope someone will hire a new grad nurse. the job market is tough!! yikess.

i was asked to be a gold bar recruiter until march but i turned it down cuz i wanna work as a nurse. i think i got this one job, but fingers crossed!

One of the LT's who graduated in my school was supposed to attend obc on oct. too but they moved her date to feb. instead. However, they are letting her go to Madigan (her duty station) first in oct. and then go to obc when feb. rolls in. I tried asking for that, but my nurse counselor said no b/c they don't have enough preceptors. boooo, but what can you do?

Renee4Christ, good luck!! i hope you get in! What program are you going through for the ANC? i went through rotc. But yes, a lot of ppl are getting their obc dates delayed b/c there are too many ppl and limited amounts of space. i was supposed to attend obc on july 14th but i couldn't go b/c i was taking the NCLEX on july 15th. you have to take the nclex and pass it before you can go. but oh well. things happen for a reason. at least i can still stay with my family for some time before i move overseas.

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I'll be going in as a direct commission and guessing that I'll be going to OBLC in August since I heard they are not offering the July class next year. What made you decide to go with Germany and what were your other choices? My 3 picks are Madigan, Ft Gordon, GA, and Fort Bragg (I'm thinking about throwing Hawaii in there). I would love to go to Germany, but I don't think I'm brave enough yet! I'm sure you will have a blast though and get to travel a lot. Are you planning on doing any of the speciality courses after your first year?

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