Army National Guard Nurse..

Learn2Nurse · Jun 14, 2008

I thought I would let you know about the discussion I am having with a National Guard recruiter. I am about to enter a Bachelors of Nursing program in the Fall. I will have about 100 credit hours when I start nursing school. So, here's what I am being told.

1. Go in now as an E4

2. Each month go to the Regional Training Institute one time a month for Officer Candidate Prep

3. Then next summer I go to basic training

*All along I would be getting paid each month for school, and money for my weekend drill.

4. I wouldn't be able to start officer school until March of 2010. This is an eighteenth month program, one weekend a month.

*I graduate from nursing school in 2010.

5. Then there are all of the bonuses and college tuition reimbursement that we have discussed.

6. I have been told that I would be non-deployable until I finish officer school and then I would be a 2L.

Today, I asked him why I can't go straight to the accelerated officer school next summer and not go to basic. His reply was that everyone goes to basic. I am hearing different though. He has said he will call in an AMED recruiter to help with this so I can ask them questions. I am thinking that I need to do that. If its possible that to enter as an officer you don't have to go through basic then I want to do that. I also don't want to go in as E4 if that means I am enlisted. I have been assured that I would be on the "officer track" and untouchable as an enlisted person. So, hopefully this will arm you with some info. I suggest you start off with a nurse recruiter right away. Someone told me that the right recruiter can get you the moon.

Kempochic · Jun 15, 2008

Thanks for the info Amberzon!! Did your recruiter mention anything about ROTC while earning your BSN? If you did it that way, you'll earn your BSN and you will be commissioned as an officer too. In some cases, ROTC cadets go thru Advanced Camp instead of Basic Camp. That was the route I took in college. I was discharged in 1997 and now, I am considering going in part-time because I like the civilian/military lifestyle. You're right, there are a number of bonuses too(ie:tuition reinbursement, commissary access, etc.).

I've been gathering info from the website/recruiter and I have an appt next week. I've been informed that financial benefits are better in the ARNG because they receive both federal & state funds. My heart's desire is to use my nursing skills to serve our military families(Lord willing). I feel our men & women in uniform(as well as their families) are not getting the medical attention that they rightfully deserve. :argue:

Let me know what route you decide to take. I have my list of questions for my recruiter....keep us posted!!

Learn2Nurse · Jun 15, 2008

ROTC is not available to me at the school I am attending. I'm also a third year student so I don't know about the possibility of jumping in that late. Anyway, ROTC is not an option. Let me know what kind of deal you get. I am going to keep working on getting the best for myself. I am also excited about the idea of serving our military.

rustynail · May 6, 2009

I am an E5 in the National Guard (not a medical MOS) and just finished my ADN.

I would like to get some motivation to follow through with my NCLEX-RN but I haven't been able to find any USNG/USANG RN vacancies in the Greater DC area at all. The closest I found were in TN and KY Guard. I don't think I can get released to go AMEDD, unfortunately, so I am looking for a part-time Guard RN position within 250 miles from DC. Does anyone have any hints? Is this a normal shortage of RN vacancies or just temporary?

Rusty :)

pattyrn376 · May 7, 2009

I also looked at ng vs army reserve, the army reserves had the bonus every year the ng didnt, ar is federal, ng is state,. If the ng let you in as an e4 and when you got your rn they didnt need any so they keep you as an e4 and you are stuck in that contract. the army has a strap program where they will give you a stipend , I dont know if the ng does that. when I looked into the ng they said they were full for nurses as there were only 2-3 slots for my state and they would put me in an oversrength program, which means you dont drill or get paid but if they get in a jam and need you they can call you up. here in MO it was no contest between the ng and the ar. I comissioned a couple of months ago in the AR

rustynail · Dec 5, 2011

ROTC did it for me. I was able to get released from NG and go active.

Waiting to ship out to BOLC soon.

Rusty

Goldbar Recruiter

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Dec 6, 2011

ROTC did it for me. I was able to get released from NG and go active.
Waiting to ship out to BOLC soon.
Rusty
Goldbar Recruiter

Do you know where you are going to be stationed yet?

rustynail · Dec 6, 2011

Walter Reed, my first choice :)

allnurses Guide · Dec 9, 2011

Walter Reed, my first choice :)

There is no more WRAMC.......

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Dec 9, 2011

It is now called Walter Reed National Miltary Medical Center

allnurses Guide · Dec 9, 2011

It is now called Walter Reed National Miltary Medical Center

Lol....I know of both places. I trained at both NNMC bethesda and WRAMC. I was being sarcastic more than anything. I personally wouldn't want to work at WR at least in anesthesia dept. There is some bad politics there.