Advice needed regarding reserve/guard nursing

tridel, BSN, RN · Sep 23, 2019

1. Could I join now and finish school?
You are actively in Nursing school? You would have to do split training if so. Your Basic training would be this coming summer between terms and your MOS (job) school the summer after. Do you have a previous bachelors degree? That would change the length of time you need for training if you entered as an officer but you still will need the time for your MOS training. Also If you choose not to enter before you graduate you may need a waiver to enter as the age limit is 42.

As for your other questions:

2. Is it likely to be deployed as a new grad rn.
This will be entirely dependent on your unit and whether they are schedule to deploy or not. My reserve unit was on a 7 year rotation (meaning every 7 years they are up for deployment).

3. Is the retirement/pay worth it if you manage to stay stateside for entire commitment.
Your retirement will not be enough to live off of when you retire but will be a good supplement to whatever retirement you get elsewhere.

4. Are deployments optional ( someone told me you do not have to deploy if you don’t want to)
Deployments are not optional and if you choose to not deploy with your unit then you may get charged with AWOL (absence without leave) under federal jurisdictions.

5. How to filter out lies from recruiters
I don't know that there is a tried and true method to filtering out the BS... Ask them as many questions as you can that you want answered then find a different recruiter (preferably one who is a friend or a friend of a friend) and ask them the same questions.

6. If deployed does family stay behind
Yes. There is no place for family on a deployment, you may be entering a hostile environment and that would put your innocent family in danger. You'll be paid hazard pay, separation pay, sustenance pay, a housing allowance as well as your basic pay in lieu of your family being with you.

Nheifner · Sep 23, 2019

I would be receiving my bsn right around my 43rd birthday. Other than that I am in a year round program and my classes would be online for another 6-8 months after that I would have campus / clinical requirements

Nheifner · Sep 23, 2019

Also currently working as a medical assistant and limited scope X-ray tech in an urgent care setting.

tridel, BSN, RN · Sep 26, 2019

Your program doesn't sound like it would be the best fit for joining the military while you are currently in. There wouldn't be time nor would there be the technology needed to complete your classes online while at Basic training. You may need to wait and get a waiver for age. The best way to find out if it will fit you is by talking to a recruiter.