Army Nurse Corp Reserves advice/input on experience 2016

[RayRN87]

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

[BermudaTriangle, DNP, APRN]

Thank you!

I knew I wanted to do reserves from the get-go. I am in my late 20's and I didn't want to make a serious commitment just yet. I'm actually terrified of being deployed. It may be a possibility in the future..I am currently childless and unmarried.

My recruiter is processing 2 individuals in that same category you wrote.

Do you know how long we can delay officer training? I want to start mine after I graduate.

I this your first time applying?

[RayRN87]

Skiggers,

I'm in the same boat, after high school I really wanted to go active duty but my parents convinced me to finish nursing school. Im 29 now and with a stable civ job I figured the reserves would be a good way for me to get military experience and serve my country like I have always wanted when I was younger.

I'm afraid to deploy as well, my recruiter told me nurses will only deploy for 6 months now, but who knows how true that is. As for BOLC/officer training it can be months or even a year after you commission to get it finished. I think it's all unit dependent and also how fast u can finish the first online portion and second one is the 2 week course that my recruiter said is more like camping on steroids.. we shall see

[BermudaTriangle, DNP, APRN]

Thanks for that little piece of information!

Has your packet been sent off already?! I had to add a Memorandum to 2 of my LOR's. And I've heard that will be sent for a look over and then off to the boards.

I keeping fingers crossed that I will be based in Chatanooga, TN. I currently live in GA and my recruiter told me it was that location or Jacksonville, FL.

Did you look any other military branches? I did- The Airforce was only looking for flight nurses and Navy had a "probable" bonus but it was not guaranteed for FNPs.

[RayRN87]

My recruiter said my packet was board ready for Nov. 15 and yes, I looked into navy reserve ($30k sign on bonus) because my co-worker said she loved it. Her unit is a 30-minute drive in ellington base in Houston (my current location). But I've always wanted to do Army and the 75k ISP bonus with an O-2 commission is hard to turn down, even if I have to drive to San Antonio one weekend per month (6hr-roundtrip).

How far is your drive to the unit you will be assigned too? You can do a google search of the base you are interested in, find out the contact number and connect to their unit administrator or retention officer to see if they have a vacancy for your MOS

[BermudaTriangle, DNP, APRN]

Morning RayRN87,

My recruiter did tell me my potential site will be 2 hours from me... I did a search but I didn't find any Forts located there (sigh). My application got pushed back due to a date on resume. I feel like this is my recruiter's first time getting an application ready for the board. You said Nov 15....my recruiter told me after Thanksgiving the will convene. Is that date only for RNs?

[RayRN87]

So 4hr round trip? That won't be bad once a month, I'm not exactly sure what the exact date is. My recruiter told me something similar, he said I should have an answer by thanksgiving so I will definitely keep you updated and best of luck!

[PG2018]

Well, I submitted my motivational statement. I only lack reference letters, and I ABHOR asking people for references so if I don't suck it up I'm done with this.

[Marine7]

Hey guys! The board started today. Good luck to you all. Now we just sit and wait.....

[Daitch]

My packet missed the November board 2016 due to not processed fast enough even though I had everything well completed by Nov 1. I got approved as a nurse practitioner. I have 2 years as an np in the emergency room. I also have 6 years prior service in the infantry from 99-05

The process sucks. It's flawed and long. But welcome to the suck. Hurry up and wait is the life in the army. What can and will, will go wrong.

I can only hope the board didn't fill up and close for this fiscal year. That would leave 2 options, non select or select with order of merit list. And if not selected by 1 year from now, you'll have to up date your packet and go back to the board next fiscal year.

[mikoox]

Anyone heard anything from their recruiter. My recruiter said results for reserve will be ready this week....

[BermudaTriangle, DNP, APRN]

Anyone heard anything from their recruiter. My recruiter said results for reserve will be ready this week....

I have not heard back from my recruiter. I assumed decisions would be out by next week, due to the holiday.

[Marine7]

Have not heard results. I got a call Monday saying they would not release mine until they received my ANCC cert. It was uploaded Monday. My recruiters hate me. I call and text every single day!!!