very confused about joining reserves as ICU RN

Specialties Government

Published

Specializes in MED/SURG ICU, CT ICU.

Hello everyone!

I have read many of the forums and found them extremely interesting. But the more I read the more I get confused.

1 I thought obc (?) officer training class was only two weeks as per my

recruiter.

2

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, CVICU.

I think its 25 days.

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Specializes in MED/SURG ICU, CT ICU.

Hello everyone!

I have read many of the forums and found them extremely interesting. But the more I read the more I get confused.

1 I thought obc (?) officer training class was only two weeks as per my

recruiter for reserves as a R.N..

2 What type of classes are required? If I have critical care experience

do I still take critical care classes?

3 Do I get to choose to work in critical care if /when deployed? Or will I

be assigned to any unit.

4 Do you still do PT every morning if just in reserves or is that for active

duty?

I guess in general I got confused reading a forum about a 7 week officer training and it didn't sound like anything my recruiter said. I know I have to pass the pt requirements and have the list for my age but do you have to pass as soon as you get there and how many chances do they give you.

I assume officer training is always in Texas. Maybe going in the summer is not a good idea! Any help would be greatly appreciated. This is the first time I have seriously considered joining so I am definitely a newby when it comes to any military acronyms or proceedures. Also, what are weekends like and the two week requrements/year. I am very anxious to keep learning. Also, do you have to have PALS as I only have ACLS. Any other requirements my recruiter isn't telling me about? Thanks to all!!

HELP ME SO CONFUSED AS BEING NEW TO ALL OF THIS!!

0 Votes
Specializes in Tele, ICU, CVICU.

hello everyone!

i have read many of the forums and found them extremely interesting. but the more i read the more i get confused.

1 i thought obc (?) officer training class was only two weeks as per my

recruiter for reserves as a r.n.. i think its 25 days.

2 what type of classes are required? if i have critical care experience

do i still take critical care classes? no if you have the required hours you will go in as icu nurse. my recruiter said you don't have to take the critical care class, as long as you have the min. required hours.

3 do i get to choose to work in critical care if /when deployed? or will i

be assigned to any unit. not so sure about this, but from what i have read from others, is you will work in your experienced area. i am sure they will float you to another area if needed.

4 do you still do pt every morning if just in reserves or is that for active

duty? ?

good luck with your decesion.

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Specializes in MED/SURG ICU, CT ICU.

Hello momofabmtcs,

Are you in the reserves or active duty and how long have you been in the service?

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, CVICU.

Not in yet( Hopefully OCT board, then commission). Joining the reserve.

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Specializes in ICU- adults, Flight RN peds/neo.
Hello everyone!

I have read many of the forums and found them extremely interesting. But the more I read the more I get confused.

1 I thought obc (?) officer training class was only two weeks as per my

recruiter for reserves as a R.N..

2 What type of classes are required? If I have critical care experience

do I still take critical care classes?

3 Do I get to choose to work in critical care if /when deployed? Or will I

be assigned to any unit. Look up "Deployment" in the allnurses searchbox or scroll down on this page and hit "archives"---you will see plenty of postings on the subject

4 Do you still do PT every morning if just in reserves or is that for active

duty? During OBLC? yes. At home with your unit? Twice a year for the APFT physical fitness test.

I guess in general I got confused reading a forum about a 7 week officer training and it didn't sound like anything my recruiter said.

7-8 week OBLC is for Active duty. 25days for Reserve duty officers.

I know I have to pass the pt requirements and have the list for my age but do you have to pass as soon as you get there and how many chances do they give you.

It sounds like you get an physical test (the APFT) when you first arrive. Those who don't pass have to get up every morning for pt, those who do pass get up several times a week for pt. You might get another chance before graduating, otherwise you will test at your unit. (back home)

I assume officer training is always in Texas. Maybe going in the summer is not a good idea!

Yes, Fort Sam Houston in San Antoino

Any help would be greatly appreciated. This is the first time I have seriously considered joining so I am definitely a newby when it comes to any military acronyms or proceedures.

Also, what are weekends like and the two week requrements/year.

What you do with your unit on Battalion assembly (drill weekend) depends on what kind of unit you belong to. My unit does not routinely do patient care, we prepare for combat support. A few times a year we go to do weapon qualifications and once a year do the "extended combat training" in another state. Last year in Wisconsin, this year in South Dakota where we might actually get to do some native american healthcare in a rural setting.

I am very anxious to keep learning. Also, do you have to have PALS as I only have ACLS.

No, Pals is not required in my unit, but feel free to get it.

Any other requirements my recruiter isn't telling me about? Thanks to all!!

HELP ME SO CONFUSED AS BEING NEW TO ALL OF THIS!!

Keep reading the postings.... current and from the past---it will help.

Good Luck,

cindy

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Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.

Duplicate threads merged.

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Specializes in ER/Critical Care.

3.5 weeks (aka 25 days).

see www.usarc.army.mil/apmc/tng_education.htm

(OBLC training requirements) schedule for remaining 2008 and 2009

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Specializes in ICU and Dialysis.

You never said which service as it differs through all of them.

In the AF Reserves, you will be attched to a EMEDS (Expeditiionary Medical Squadron - a bunch of tents put together) using older equipment but with very high acuity and almost all being trauma related - very few medical. The occasional older army reservist in CHF or a tribal chieftan in DKA, etc.

In the AF - you can get a just about as fat as you want as long as you pass your annual PT test and there is no mandatory daily PT (unless your CO is hard core). It's actually quite embarrasing, here in Kandahar all the fattest people are in the Air Force or Canadian medical nurses.

COT is now, I believe 4 weeks, at various locations but it's really not too bad.

Hope that helps.

John S.

Kandahar, Afghanistan

(Saving Lives and Killing Time)

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John,

How do you get past MEPS if you are overweight?

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Specializes in ER, NICU.

Oops, edit, wrong thread

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