Army National Guard: 68W as an LPN?

Published

I am a Licensed Practical Nurse interested in joining the Army National Guard to help pay for nursing school. My question/concern is: does it make sense, as an LPN, to get into an MOS such as 68W (Healthcare Specialist aka Medic)? Being that I've already had similar training (approximately 1 year) in a job which, from what I've read, is the equivalent to a 68W. Or can I get some credit for the knowledge which I've already gained. I don't mean for this to sound like a stupid question but I don't want to do a whole training for something that I've already done and paid for, if it's indeed the same type of job. I don't feel that I will be completely bummed if I couldn't do 68W because at times, i feel like I could use a break from the demands and stress (and UNAPPRECIATION) that comes with being a health care worker. Please offer your advice/opinion if you are familiar with this MOS or if you're an LPN... Thanks!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I am a Licensed Practical Nurse interested in joining the Army National Guard to help pay for nursing school. My question/concern is: does it make sense, as an LPN, to get into an MOS such as 68W (Healthcare Specialist aka Medic)? Being that I've already had similar training (approximately 1 year) in a job which, from what I've read, is the equivalent to a 68W. Or can I get some credit for the knowledge which I've already gained. I don't mean for this to sound like a stupid question but I don't want to do a whole training for something that I've already done and paid for, if it's indeed the same type of job. I don't feel that I will be completely bummed if I couldn't do 68W because at times, i feel like I could use a break from the demands and stress (and UNAPPRECIATION) that comes with being a health care worker. Please offer your advice/opinion if you are familiar with this MOS or if you're an LPN... Thanks!!!

If you enlist you will not get credit for time worked as an lpn you still must go to basic training and then AIT (advanced individual training) for 68W school down at Fort Sam Houston. You will probably be brought in at pay grade of E4 with rank of specialist because of your training.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
If you enlist you will not get credit for time worked as an lpn you still must go to basic training and then AIT (advanced individual training) for 68W school down at Fort Sam Houston. You will probably be brought in at pay grade of E4 with rank of specialist because of your training.
Thank you so much for the info... so let me just clarify... as an LPN, I would still have to go to AIT for the same length of time as someone who hasn't done LPN training?? If that is the case, that brings me to the other part of my question which is: would it benefit me to enlist as a 68W or should i look into a different MOS?
Up Vote Up Vote ×

On the enlisted side of things, your college courses have no bearing on your training. They could care less really. What I think you should think about is how you are interpreting the LPN=68W thing. I am not positive and tell me if I am wrong, but you probably heard that a 68W in a hospital setting is kinda like what an LPN would do. It is really apples and oranges, and that comparison is just made because there arent alot to equate it to. You will definitely not learn the exact same things as you did in your LPN training. You will learn alot of different things while in AIT, that you never had the chance to in your LPN training. You will go in depth into emergency care. If I am not mistaken the entire first 6 weeks of your AIT will be EMT stuff.

After completion of Basic Combat Training, soldiers training for 68W10 ship to Fort Sam Houston, Texas for Advanced Individual Training (AIT). The AIT or job training may last for 16 to 68 weeks, depending what additional skill training is completed. Training includes a combination of lecture, hands-on, and practical field exercises with many skills—including starting intravenous lines—practiced on each other. The first part of the course focuses on CPR and EMT-Basic training and concludes with certification tests for both skills. Further training is on Army specific tasks. -Wikipedia

Also keep in mind AIT will have other classes not exactly pertaining to the health care profession.

There are also multiple types of medics.

F3 is an Army Flight Medic

M6 is the Army's Licensed Practical Nurse

P1 is an orthopedics specialist (clinical)

Y8 is an immunization-allergy specialist (clinical, lab)

N3 is the Army's Occupational Therapy Assistant (clinical)

N9 is a physical therapy technician (clinical)

Y2 is the code used to identify those who have not finished the upgrade classes

W1 is a special operations combat medic (SOCM)

W2 is a Civil Affairs medical specialist

P3 is an optometry specialist (clinical)

Y6 is a cardiovascular specialist (Cardiac Catheterization Technologist and Echocardiographer)

P2 is an Ear Nose and Throat specialist (ENT)

So all in all I would say you are making a good decision to go in as a 68W. And there are paths from there to get your BSN and become an officer if that is something you are interested in.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
On the enlisted side of things, your college courses have no bearing on your training. They could care less really. What I think you should think about is how you are interpreting the LPN=68W thing. I am not positive and tell me if I am wrong, but you probably heard that a 68W in a hospital setting is kinda like what an LPN would do. It is really apples and oranges, and that comparison is just made because there arent alot to equate it to. You will definitely not learn the exact same things as you did in your LPN training. You will learn alot of different things while in AIT, that you never had the chance to in your LPN training. You will go in depth into emergency care. If I am not mistaken the entire first 6 weeks of your AIT will be EMT stuff.After completion of Basic Combat Training, soldiers training for 68W10 ship to Fort Sam Houston, Texas for Advanced Individual Training (AIT). The AIT or job training may last for 16 to 68 weeks, depending what additional skill training is completed. Training includes a combination of lecture, hands-on, and practical field exercises with many skills--including starting intravenous lines--practiced on each other. The first part of the course focuses on CPR and EMT-Basic training and concludes with certification tests for both skills. Further training is on Army specific tasks. -WikipediaAlso keep in mind AIT will have other classes not exactly pertaining to the health care profession. There are also multiple types of medics. F3 is an Army Flight MedicM6 is the Army's Licensed Practical NurseP1 is an orthopedics specialist (clinical)Y8 is an immunization-allergy specialist (clinical, lab)N3 is the Army's Occupational Therapy Assistant (clinical)N9 is a physical therapy technician (clinical)Y2 is the code used to identify those who have not finished the upgrade classesW1 is a special operations combat medic (SOCM)W2 is a Civil Affairs medical specialistP3 is an optometry specialist (clinical)Y6 is a cardiovascular specialist (Cardiac Catheterization Technologist and Echocardiographer)P2 is an Ear Nose and Throat specialist (ENT)So all in all I would say you are making a good decision to go in as a 68W. And there are paths from there to get your BSN and become an officer if that is something you are interested in.
Wow, thank you so much for your detailed reply. This has put 68W in a whole different perspective for me, compared to what I previously heard. I will definitely go that route. And I would like to continue on for my BSN so that I can become a officer :-)
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I hope the best for you. Work hard, take every class you can, and get every certificate you can, and it will come.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

The Army is changing the MOS for a LPN back to its own. From what my 68WM6's have told me it was to happen the first of this month. The new MOS for LPN's will be a 68C. Speak with your recruiter about this, one reason they might want to bring you in as a straight 68W is they could be overmanned with LPN's at this time and there are no openings for one.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion