Army Nurse Corps - Airborne school?

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To all the Army nurses out there,

Can Nurse Corps officers go to airborne school? If they can... how difficult is it for a nurse to get a spot? Is it possible to go directly after OBLC?

Thanks all

Specializes in Emergency RN, CEN.
Well here is my situation. 23 years old, about to graduate BSN, have had my EMT-IV for the past 4 years, love ER/ Trauma, commissioned about 3 weeks ago... that is the very short of it! I want to really be on a dustoff crew, but as of now those are medics. I have thought about putting in my 4 years, resigning my commission and then working towards a flight medic on a dustoff, bassackwards i know!

That is bassackwards. If you really want to fly.... do your time with the Army... then move to the Air Force. They are the only service with dedicated flight nurses. Either that or fly on a civilian crew as an RN and continue to serve in the Reserves.

The Army does have the Joint Enroute Care Course (JECC) for M5's or 8A's. That course is geared toward "dust off" operations but for RN's it applies more toward inter-facility flights. From what I understand it is a two week course that deals with safety issues and how to operate within the confined rear space of a bird. I plan on attending myself in the near future.

You can fly as an RN in the Army but not as a dedicated "flight nurse". I have heard rumors that the Army is trying to put together a program but that may be years in the making. The wheels of bureaucracy turn VERY slowly in the Army... hurry up and wait... learn it now.... it will become your motto.

You have an edge that many of us RN's in the military do not have. You are young and the windows of opportunity are just beginning to open for you. You can make a great career in the military if you so choose. You have nearly 40 years until you mandatory ETS based on age. Make the most of it. Remember this: the Army will give you opportunity, its up to you to make the most of it. You will make your own career. Be dedicated, be tenacious and you will get where you want to be.

Who knows, perhaps I could be addressing the future CNO of the Army.... Major General.

Good luck and congratulations on your commission Lt.

Welcome to the cool club.

66HM5

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HAHA! thanks, I am so excited about my commission and I dont take any of it for granted. Honestly, those new army commercials, the "there is strong, then there's army strong" with the music and all gets me excited. And yes I have heard about the flight RN thing as well, and its like you said I hear of rumors. I currently work at a Level 1 facility that has a prestigious flight program, but its not dustoff. lol. I like the idea of picking up a wounded soldier off of the battle field at 3 am more than I like the idea of spooning up the pieces of a drunk driver at 3 am. I guess if it wasnt completely backwards and complicated I wouldnt be as interested. HA!

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Hello, I'm a 66E and have been in the reserves 1 year and have not been to OBC.

Discouraging...I'm also in only for 3 years and wanted to deploy-anywhere-at the risk of sounding corny, I really did join to serve my country by serving those serving! I'm trying to transfer now, hoping for a unit or UA that can help get my

reservation for OBC. Any Advice? Is this normal? thanks

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Specializes in OR, OB, EM, Flight, ICU, PACU.......

Anyone interested in Jump School or assignment to an Airborne unit should visit my buddies @ ArmyParatrooper.org. There is a wealth of experienced Troopers there that can answer any and all of your questions.

AATW!

Ski

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Specializes in CNA.

Forwaters, Anyone can to go Army Airborne school, it is not MOS dependent. That is the extent of my knowledge regarding nursing and airborne :/ .

I am also going to be an Army nurse and looking to attend the Army Airborne school. Does anyone know if many nurses choose this route, and what happens after airborne school?

Thanks!,

Keegs

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.
forwaters, anyone can to go army airborne school, it is not mos dependent. that is the extent of my knowledge regarding nursing and airborne :/ .

i am also going to be an army nurse and looking to attend the army airborne school. does anyone know if many nurses choose this route, and what happens after airborne school?

thanks!,

keegs

most commands will not send you to airborne school. there are limited slots for nurses in airborne billets. most of these are assigned to fst's. to be in one of these slots you need to be a er, or, or a icu nurse.

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jeck has hit the nail on the head... slots are limited... given to specific cmds they send soldiers in specific billets to meet mission requirements. There is no reason to send a nurse in a non-jump billet as all that could happen is that ... well that nurse is injured.

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Specializes in CNA.

Jeckrn,

I am seriously considering ICU, possibly ER... you are saying that there are spots open for these nursing spceialties? What does it do for a nurse to become airborne, what doors does it open for the career?

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

In a 20 person FST there are 3 nurse slots. A 66HM5- ER nurse, 66H8A- ICU nurse, & a 66E- Perioperative nurse. As far as your career from what I understand it does not mean much difference then not being airborne qualified.

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I think its also note worthy that a lot of these types of slots are something you can't influence at this time until you are in the system and have initial experience.

If I were interested in that route I'd probably look at the med centers closest to Bragg... and pick one of these nursing specialties that would have the future options that jeck was talking about... then at first duty station start looking to see what options are available during progression and working with cdr for advice and trying to network from there. I think the FST is an awesome option - but then again, are you interested in being an OR nurse?

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Specializes in CNA.

I am looking into Bragg and Jackson, and also ER or ICU nursing, so i think it would be a good idea?

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Are you a new nurse ie no experience as RN? If so just remember the generic course guarantee does not have ER as an option.. only psch, ob, or, and ccu. That being said you can just not have a course selected and upon arrival at first duty station work with cdr and such and try to move towards gaining acceptance to an ER schooling date down the road.

If you are a new nurse you are generally put at a med center... not so much jackson.. Bragg makes sense yes ;) for med center and airborne reasons.

best of luck~ I think its worth noting that a lot of options and details are not available to move towards into you get into the military.... and you have to accept you can't always plan out your path as much as a civilian might.. but those who do stay aware of options and opportunities can definitely shape their military career.

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