Army Nurse Corp Reserves advice/input on experience 2016

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Finally after clearing MEPs, completing 50+page application, finding references and signing my DA61 sheet my packet will go before Army Nurse Board Nov.15 2016, hopefully if I get selected I will comission as a 1stLT - just wanted any advice or 2 cents for those who have had military experience as a nurse.

I have 2 boys and I chose the reservist route vs active to prevent them from having to move around too much and being able to live close at home to them. I've been an ICU nurse for almost 8 years and have always wanted to serve my country and this website has given me so much information so for the military nurses out there how is it? Why did you choose reserve vs active or vice versa

I live in Houston according to my recruiter I will probably drill in Fort Sam in SA one weekend a month I was hoping there would be someone out there who can tell me about the experience, as far as drill weekends, scheduling, juggling civilian job and life etc. my recruiter has done well filling me in but reading personal stories on here is always great input as well.

Thanks again and if someone can reach out to me personally please PM me with your email address I'd love to hear about your experience

Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

Typically, you rank is determined by a function of your RN full-time experience (often 50% of it). Your previous enlisted time doesn't get you a higher rank. It only gets you the O1-E designator (which means more pay) if you have the equivalent of 4 years plus 1 day of active duty prior enlisted experience; I suspect you don't have enough points in your guard time to equal that.

In summary, you'll need at least 4 years of full-time RN experience to come in as an O-2. You generally need at least 1 year of full-time ICU RN experience to qualify for any incentives.

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Thanks for your response. I will have RN experience working with ADN in ICU , while doing online school RN- BSN . Is this experience will count towards special pay?

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Jvontress sorry for the late reply, I don't get on here as often as I was during boards.

Yes, we're in the same boat. My recruiter spoke with me today and said my packet was in it's last stage and scroll release is expected by next week.

Anyone else in the same boat?

Any of the folks that boarded and already received orders have advice or input?

I'm curious about the ins and outs of getting started

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I have 5 years prior service as an active duty Marine. I received an honorable discharge and have 0 disability. I have been an RN for 4+ years (ICU, ICU/Swat, House Supervisor, and a Flight Nurse) and have my BSN. I am very interested in joining the reserves and am eager to get the process started. Also, I'm married have 2 children and am 32. I'm wondering what job options are out there for 2017. This thread has given much needed insight, thanks!

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

I don't know the Army rules. The AF absolutely counts ADN RN time towards your rank. I know that because I went to a training course with someone who got ADN time counted. If the experience counts towards rank, then it absolutely counts towards any special pays.

FYI: In addition to having the requisite experience, you also need your CCRN. Further, there are probably other hoops to jump through. I don't know the Army, but the AF makes you ineligible for special pays until you have been to certain training courses. Completing ECCO is one way to meet this requirement. Also, you generally can't take a sign-on bonus or loan repayment and still receive incentive pay. Again, I'm not familiar with Army rules.

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

The Army does count your ADN time; I know this because they counted mine. The Navy does not; when I was going back on active duty I looked into the Navy. They wanted me to go from an Captain (O-3) in the Army reserves to an Ensign (O-1) for them.

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The Army does count your ADN time; I know this because they counted mine. The Navy does not; when I was going back on active duty I looked into the Navy. They wanted me to go from an Captain (O-3) in the Army reserves to an Ensign (O-1) for them.

Could you tell me, please how many years of the experience as ADN did you have thaf to go straightto O3?

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Could you tell me, please how many years of the experience as ADN did you have thaf to go straightto O3?

When I made O-3 it was required to have 48 months of service (4 years). I think it's still about the same now, and the Army grants six months of constructive credit for each civilian year as an RN. You would need 8 years as an RN to come in as an O-3. Doesn't matter if it's ADN or BSN time, but you do need a BSN to commission.

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When I made O-3 it was required to have 48 months of service (4 years). I think it's still about the same now, and the Army grants six months of constructive credit for each civilian year as an RN. You would need 8 years as an RN to come in as an O-3. Doesn't matter if it's ADN or BSN time, but you do need a BSN to commission.

I am serving now as E4 in Reserves. By the time of commission I will have 4 years in service on 1 year as civilian nurse. Do I have chance to get commission as O3?

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
I am serving now as E4 in Reserves. By the time of commission I will have 4 years in service on 1 year as civilian nurse. Do I have chance to get commission as O3?

No. You would need 8 years of civilian RN time to come in as an O-3. Also, anything less than 3 years of civilian RN time would make you a 2LT/O-1.

Just to be clear: 4 years of active duty time or constructive credit as a NURSE is required for O-3.

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I am curious what a RN with 12 years experience would go in as. I have 12 years OR experience. Would I go in as a Captain? I read that to be a Major you had to have your BSN.

I am currently doing my RN-BSN and sounds like by the time I board I would have that completed. I know the Army would take me but could the AF give a waiver since I am almost done with my BSN?

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Definitely not. Hitting major is a pretty big deal in the army. Also, the army nurse corps is extremely strict about having a BSN and 3.0 gpa. The first thing they asked me for was my transcripts to prove that I had both. I've never heard anything about a waiver of any kind for that. The army has tons of qualified applicants applying for nurse positions so they can be as picky as they want with all of the requirements. Also, it is pretty much a standard for an officer to have a Bachelor's degree (even a 2LT), especially one that would directly be commissioning and not doing rotc/service academy/ocs.

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