Army Nurse Candidate Program

[lifeafter40]

Well, as some of you may know, I have been lurking around this forum for quite a while now. I have finally decided that The ANCP is the best route of entry for me and am in the process of completing my packet now.

I originally planned to go direct commission, but have since changed my mind, and thought that I would share some of my decision process for those who may find themselves in a similar situation.

After much research and speculation, I think that the present state of the economy was the determining factor for choosing NCP over direct commission...even though I will not be getting as much total financial benefits by going this route.

First off, I have known that I wanted to serve in the Nurse Corps long before I even started school, so that was an advantage for me. Many of the applicants that are flooding the Recruiters now are new grads, or soon to be grads. They seem to be reacting to the shortage of job openings (understandably) and many are considering the military as a "last resort". (This is my observation, and not meant to cast any judgment on an individual's desire to serve in any way).

In talking to my recruiter, she told me on the first of November that she expected to meet her recruitment quota for 2010 within the next week. However, at the same time, she said that there should be no problems with getting into the NCP program, because fewer people applied for it, and the program was not "pushed" by most of the recruiters for the fact that they had all the new grad applicants that they needed..."business is good in the Army."

Second, My wife and I are both in school and as our respective programs become more demanding of our time, we are forced to cut back on our work schedules and the extra $1000/month stipend will be very helpful in keeping the needs of our family met while hopefully allowing us to stay away from private loans for school.

Last, but certainly not least, I felt that the assurance of having a spot in the Nurse Corps while I finished my last two years of school was well worth any reduction in financial gains I might have received by waiting to go direct commission with the Loan Repayment Program.

Honestly... it just feels really good to finally be DOING something toward getting my commission! I completed my physical at MEPS last weekend, and passed with flying colors (I am 38 now, so that was a point of concern for me), so that is one more step behind me. I am waiting on a couple of professor evaluations and my grades for this semester to post, then I should have my packet pretty much completed. My recruiter expects to send it to the April boards...fingers crossed!

I have read so many times how frustrating the entrance process is, with delays and setbacks, so another advantage of going NCP is that I get to deal with that while still in school rather than after I graduate and watching the time slip closer to loan payback time...and waiting for a paycheck.

Good luck to everyone who is in the process, or contemplating the idea of military service. I will keep you posted as to my progress.

LA40

[jeckrn, BSN, RN]

Looks like you have thought this out. I agrre with you that getting a slot now for the future is good, no one knows what the future holds. The recruitment numbers could be even worse then they are now. I believe you are right about some nurses joining the military because of the decreased oppuritinues in the civilian world. Could be a long 3-4 years for some of them. Good luck with your NCP board