New Grad nurse wanting to join the Army

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I have read almost all the feeds from regarding the army. I have contacted army recruiters, and no one has called me or emailed back. I have emailed directly to the AMEDD recruiter. I was told by the National Guard Nurse Recruiter that there was no need for nurses in my state. I tried to set three appointments to meet here without any success. After the third attempt, she told me she scheduled another appointment with someone else and never heard from her again. I tried to email her with no response.

I am motivated and driven. I signed up for a three year BSN program and completing it in 2 years. I am 26 years old finishing my BSN in May. I currently work for the same private practice for the past two years (jobs here are very tight, and require a BSN). I have worked with the Medical Reserve Corp in my state. I was an EMT prior to becoming a nurse.

I have to admit after reading some of the posts; I am feeling like it's going to be a tough road ahead of me. This is a dream of mine and I am willing to put in the effort. The only issue I have found is my GPA. I was not the strongest student when I first went to college. I was never the strongest student in the class, but I worked hard. Now that I have returned for my BSN, I have gotten all As and Bs but has not significantly changed my GPA. My GPA is not where. I would like to be. I'm looking for any advice, suggestions, comments.I am a little lost on what to do. I want to thank everyone for their imput and advice.

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Specializes in FNP/FPMHNP-BC.

Hi congrats and good luck. Hang in there. What is your GPA?

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I think it is awesome that you would like to serve your country. I honestly believe your problems with your AMEDD recruiter. Back in 2008 or 2009 when my wife and I were first looking for information into the process of joining, we set up a meeting with her recruiter. The healthcare recruiter closest to us is about two hours away. We set up a meeting over some coffee at a starbucks. We arrived 15 minutes early and waited and waited. 30 minutes after the meeting was supposed to commence, we called the recruiting battallion. After about another half hour of trying to reach the recruiter, we finally got the answer. He was off that day, and did not plan on coming in. lol. So I know how dealing with bad recruiters feels.

The next time you call ask for the NCOIC of the recruiting batallion, and tell them you would like to schedule a meeting to discuss your options. You have another year before the next board, so you have plenty of time to get the details straight. If you do not mind my asking, what was your GPA. Alot of people think their GPA is low, when in actuality it is decently competitive. I have seen that anything about 3.5 and up has seemed to be pretty good. But some that were selected that I seen were as low as 3.1. Use the time you have to get as much experience and extra classes as possible. The more things that make you standout from the crowd, the better off you are.

Good Luck with your mission, I hope you succeed and are able to serve your country in the united states army. But remember, there are always other way to serve your country, including nursing at the VA, or at an Army hospital, or volunteer with your local VA things like that.

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I have a solid B average. After I get my grades to post for this past semester I will have a better idea where I am at.

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I have a solid B average. After I get my grades to post for this past semester I will have a better idea where I am at.

what is the numerical value of it.

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I appreciate your Nursespouse. I've seen a lot of your comments are find them very helpful. Right now unfortuately i am at a 3.101 as of right now. I anticipate a B in one class and an A in the other but you never know.

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I appreciate your Nursespouse. I've seen a lot of your comments are find them very helpful. Right now unfortuately i am at a 3.101 as of right now. I anticipate a B in one class and an A in the other but you never know.

that is still competitive, pull it up as much as you can, and focus on other things to seperate you from the crowd. Do not underestimate your Statement of Motivation. This is a one page document you will use to introduce yourself to the board. Think of it as a first impression. Like you walking into an office for an interview. Any and all certifications even ones that do not give you CC are all helpers to seperate you.

Good Luck

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Thank you very much. I appreciate it.

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

Because of the small amount of nurses needed by the Army the recruiters are speading most of their time focused on other heathcare professionals who are harder to recruit. Hang in there and keeping trying to contact a recruiter. I do not know how many direct commission nurses they need for the upcoming FY14, which is when the next board is. If it is anything like last year the numbers will be low; as others have posted the Army only took around 40 direct commission nurses. I would not be suprised if the number will be lower for next year. Right now no one knows what the manpower needs will be so the recruiters are not going to spend alot of time on it yet. Keep up the hard work get the best grades that you can since it will be very compative again next year. Community involvement will also help make you more compative.

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I saw the feed with the applicants for this year's board. It's going to be difficult, but not impossible. I'm going to keep up with my workouts and working on my endurance. I have kept my eyes towards the goal. I work with the area Medical reserve Corp. I assisted in the Hurricane Irene. I was unable to go for Sandy.

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Because of the small amount of nurses needed by the Army the recruiters are speading most of their time focused on other heathcare professionals who are harder to recruit. Hang in there and keeping trying to contact a recruiter. I do not know how many direct commission nurses they need for the upcoming FY14, which is when the next board is. If it is anything like last year the numbers will be low; as others have posted the Army only took around 40 direct commission nurses. I would not be suprised if the number will be lower for next year. Right now no one knows what the manpower needs will be so the recruiters are not going to spend alot of time on it yet. Keep up the hard work get the best grades that you can since it will be very compative again next year. Community involvement will also help make you more compative.

this is true, community service is a biggie. volunteer whenever you have a chance, and if you were to volunteer in some sort of military field that couldnt hurt lol. The VA is always looking for volunteers. So many veterans need help out there.

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Specializes in Surgical ICU, PACU, Educator.

Have the recruiters given you any indication of the minimum of BSN to join? Make sure they know your expected date of graduation. Did you try other services Air force or Navy? Each have nurse corp.

I hate to recommend other services than Army since I am retired Army Nurse corp. If I had 20 years to do over the Air force would be worth looking at. The experieces from my military career were exceptional.

Best wishes

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