What can I expect from the Reserves?

[francoml, ASN, RN]

Hello,

I am currently contemplating joining one of the Reserve branches and had a few questions. I know civilian training/experience plays a role so here is my background.

Training/Background

BSN

4 years Medical ICU experience in a level one trauma center.

cross trained in Trauma/Surgical ICU, Cardiac ICU, and Burn ICU

CCRN certified, PICC line certification, CRRT certification, ACLS, PALS

Rapid Response Team member

Student Preceptor

Currently in my first year of Acute Care Nurse Practitioner School.

Questions

1) What is the time commitment?

2) Pay and benefits?

3) With my background what rank would I have?

4) When I finished ACNP school would my rank go up and would I automatically serve in the NP function when I was done?

5) What are the basic duties I would perform and how would a typical drill weekend/2week training play out?

Thank you all so much for your help!

[Devo19, BSN, MSN, APRN]

Awesome choice! Are you wanting to join as a RN or after you graduate with your NP?

[francoml, ASN, RN]

I would join relatively soon an an RN.

[jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA]

You really should wait and apply after you finish the NP program. Your rank wouldn't automatically go up after graduation. You wouldn't necessarily serve as an NP either. Your current experience would give you O-2 or 1st Lt. An MSN NP with 4 years experience would be an O-3 or Captain.

[jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA]

I guess to put it another way, the ability to earn constructive credit is nil once you commission.

For example, I know a 1st Lt who has 2 years as a military nurse and 2 years as a civilian nurse. She just finished up her MSN. If she was to commission right now, with 4 years of experience and an MSN, constructive credit would make her a Captain (O-3). However, because she is already in, she will not promote to Captain until 2 years after she pinned on 1st Lt.

As another example, I know an OR nurse who recently became an NP going to school part time. He is pretty much stuck in the OR for the foreseeable future, due to the current AF OR nurse shortage. My take home message is this: the only way to guarantee yourself a certain role in the military is to have experience in that role before you join.

[OUxPhys, BSN, RN]

Is there an OR shortage in the reserves or active duty?

[jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA]

I'm active, and don't know about the reserves specifically. It's going to be different form unit to unit, but I would be shocked if you found a hospital based unit that didn't have OR needs.