USPHS

lifeafter40 · Mar 22, 2009

life after,
have you completed your packet for the Army already?
If not - then start.. it takes a few months and that way your recruiter (when your packet is ready) will be able to advise you on whether slots are open for this year.. then they can submit or hey your packet is ready we'll submit first thing in next fiscal year (oct) and you should be good to go.
Your age - and six years prior service - don't really seem to be that big of an issue in joining the army imho...

JC,

Thanks for the input. I spoke to an AMEDD Recruiter last summer, but have not begun the packet process. I am just finishing up my first year of Nursing school, and got the impression from the recruiters that they did not really want to talk seriously with me until I was closer to graduating. I guess this is understandable, but do you think it is not too early to begin the process? (I have not technically even been accepted into the clinical program, but with a current GPA of 3.91, I do not anticipate any issues in that regard. I will have a formal acceptance sometime in May).

As far as my age... I am not so concerned with getting into the Army, as having to wait a few years before getting accepted... As you know, the difference between a 20 yr. retirement and a 25-26 yr. retirement is quite a bit Not to mention needing a job soon after graduating...

just_cause, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2009

lifeafter40, I understand the dilemma...

It isn't that the recruiters don't have an interest it is literally that they really can't do anything that far out for a direct commission ... all the physicals and letters of rec and other paperwork would expire.. and they can't board you with greater then 12month window from date of graduation... On top of that the process may change from now to then as well as which recruiters are available. An alternative option that you might be able to do is to join as a nurse candidate.. this is for the juniors and seniors and you get a monthly stipend. It is less then they loan payback, but if the assurance means that much to you then perhaps it is an alternative means to confirming your slot and peace of mind.

v/r

lifeafter40 · Mar 22, 2009

Yes, the ANCP is an option I have kept on the back burner... I will talk to a recruiter again when I start my Junior year, and see what the prognosis is at that point. Thanks for all your input. Now that I have thoroughly derailed this thread, I must apologize for digressing.

Thanks again,

LA40

soso · Mar 23, 2009

Hoping someone can help me out. I am very interested in PHS. I will be graduating with my ADN in December but am not sure if I will do the MSN program (have BA). I would really like to do the Masters in Public Health. Is the PHS very limiting to specific agencies for nurses? It seems most serve in IHS, POB and immigration health. Any info on Health Services Officers?

just_cause, BSN, RN · Mar 23, 2009

Soso, They PHS website has a ton of information.. it just isn't super user friendly. If you dig around you can find a job lookup database of available jobs.. it shows all jobs by location, agency, title and such... and that will give you a better breadth of jobs they hire for, location, availability, and type of job. v/r

lifeafter40 · Mar 23, 2009

Soso...take a look at this link...this, I believe, is what just_cause is referring to...

Jobs Database

just_cause, BSN, RN · Mar 23, 2009

lifeafter, it is! You rock!

the USPHS is so great as you can literally apply to jobs... and accept/decline at an individual level - unheard of in some other federal areas :)

.... i say this as a non-USPHS affiliated person btw.

lifeafter40 · Mar 29, 2009

I was wondering what the promotion schedule is like for USPHS Officers? I know that promotion selection is based on different criteria than the military branches, but is there a basic "life-cycle"? are promotions from o-1 through 0-3 basically a time served progression (these promotions are almost a given at set time intervals in the Army).

I have been doing some reading on various sites, and I am particularly interested in working with the Indian Health Services agency, but am concerned with the progression of rank in the USPHS. Because of its size, the Army has historically been the easiest branch to gain rank in (at least from the enlisted side). Because I have a limited number of years that I will be able to work before retirement, I would like to have the best chances of making rank as possible.

For this reason, and others, I have thought about joining the Army first. By the time my initial service obligation is finished, I should have achieved O-3. (as well as a specialty identifier). This would allow me to transfer to USPHS with more experience, and more income to support my family's needs in a remote location.

Also, what are the opportunities for additional education like in the USPHS? I would like to continue on to an advanced practice degree... is something that is likely to be assisted by the Commissioned Corps?

Thanks for any advice/information (or insight to USPHS life)..... so many choices :)

LA40

AWanderingMinstral · Mar 29, 2009

Hello! It is AWESOME to see such a lengthy thread about the USPHS. I submitted all of the necessary paperwork and I've been professionally cleared. SO, I have applied for a few positions and I am eagerly awaiting a response. Lifeafter40, the beauty of the USPHS is that you will earn the same income (I believe) regardless of where you are stationed. So, if the cost of living is really low, you're still going to earn the base salary that your rank entitles you to. The only difference (I believe) is the amount of money you receive for housing. I have applied for a position in a major urban area and the housing allowance is pretty high (like $2,500 per month) because the cost of living is so high. Good luck with your decision!

goldensfo · Apr 5, 2009

Hello AWanderingMinstral: how long did it take for you from submitting the paperwork to be professionally cleared? I submitted all paperwork 2 weeks ago but haven't heard anything back yet...

thank you.

AWanderingMinstral · Apr 5, 2009

goldensfo, I think it took my application approximately eight weeks to be cleared professionally.

Aneroo, LPN · Apr 9, 2009

Interesting thread.

I've been considering this, but will not get my BSN until Dec. 2010 (currently have ADN). I'm most interested in the health requirements, since I have a partial hearing loss (knowing this would disqualify me for military service). I will be waiting to speak to a recruiter about it, but it sounds interesting.