Army Nurse Corps Reserves...

just_cause, BSN, RN · Jan 7, 2009

"Thanks all for the info, i would like to know if joining the ANC does one further their education and also as a reservist would you get veterans benefits after your 2 years are up"

Joining the ANC as a reservist you have 28 days a month where you can further your education and you may have opportunities to attend Army nurse training.

Bottom line that if a deployment is required of a unit they probably can't let everyone in school / or really wanting to work in their civilian job / or really wanting to homes chool their child the option to choose not to deploy and still maintain their ability to function as a unit.

So yes you can further your education but you serve with the knowledge that deployment may occur.

I recommend you talk to a local reserve unit (either on your own or through a recruiter.... they can schedule an informal meeting) or shadowing a reserve nurse (best to talk with a new LT or CPT to gain their perspective as they likely have encountered and understand the types of questions you'll ask and will be specific to the unit you are looking into) Not every unit is likely to deploy... those that are have life cycles.. etc etc.

I recently had shadowed a nurse (as I'm looking at active duty) and that provided the best way for me to gain input that helped make my decision - I think a reserve nurse 1 on 1 would possibly be a great chance for you.

v/r

sassysoldier · Jan 7, 2009

"I know its hard for some to believe, but many people join the service out of respect for this country and its service members needs with money being a secondary feature. Those who join simply for money may or may not like it at first but time will tell. They'll do their time, then get out. Nurses in the army have to be a caring, strong willed bunch willing to put their own needs behind those of the country and its other service members at times"
Some of you know that I have a Significant Other who is a MAJ-P (I will get to "pin" him (it's more like put the velcro on him now") now when he officially gets promoted to LTC). Since I commissioned, last month we have talked about different subjects r/t the Army, the commissioning and what it has meant. My first exposure to the "Army World" (if you will) was through him. The people surrounding him, in his unit are like a family... they look out for each other and their families. My first exposure to the world of "Army style nursing" (again if you will) was in the ER. I worked w/ two excellent nurses who are military at present 1 a CPT in the National Guard, the other a CPT in the Reserves. I liked their style to put it simply-- they were patient focused-- family focused, they put the needs of the patient/family first. As it should be, which I often think in the corporate world especially is being forgotten. It was after having the pleasure of getting to learn through them that I decided to commission w/ the Army Reserves. Did I do it for the money, the bonus was not a significant factor. The loans not a significant factor (I worked in a area where it is considered economically depressed so I would have rec'd assistance w/ getting them paid off anyway). What did I do it for then? I did if for the opportunity to give back to the most unselfish people that I could possibly get to extend my nursing care and knowledge to--- the very person/persons that would give their lives for me/ for us to protect what I/ we/ they hold dear in our very core. --- our soldiers defending our freedom, our way of life.
And as for those that join just for the bonus or whatever money they can get out of the deal--- good luck to them....... they're the one's who will get the poorer OER's that'll lead to them not getting promoted and after two passover's they'll be invited to leave. Because not only is it clearly evident to their peers working around them that their not members of the "Army family" but it also is very evident to their superior officers.

You know what I have realized in my long application process is that maybe you have to go through so much to join and commission that you really get lots of time to decide why am I really joining. I wanted to join for more than the money but through the process I have learned more reasons why I want to join and that it means more to me. If I could have done like a civilian application in which it may take 2-4 weeks from application , interview, to orientation I would not appreciate it like I do after working my butt off, gathering every document on my life, interviewing with some of the best officers, etc. I know that once I go to ODS that I will really appreciate my job, my role and my career much more than I ever had before. :twocents:

Staczse7 · Jan 7, 2009

Thanks all for the info, i would like to know if joining the ANC does one further their education and also as a reservist would you get veterans benefits after your 2 years are up.

Not sure if this answers your question but I know that back in 2006, there was a Bill passed that granted the same rights to Reservists as National Guardsmans/ womans that after deployment they can attend any State college university tuition free.

just_cause, BSN, RN · Jan 7, 2009

Active duty don't get to attend schools tuition free. - unsure what this refers to.

States give their guard benefits on a state by state basis.

Perhaps you are referring to the GI Bill Chp33 revision from Chp30..but this starts Aug09 and still doesn't provide 'free' with no strings or restrictions applied.

v/r

Staczse7 · Jan 7, 2009

army reserve tuition assistance

the army reserve offers an array of voluntary educational programs so you can further your goals and have a smoother transition to the civilian sector when your time in the military is complete.

you must complete your voluntary education on personal time. you are strongly encouraged to become familiar with and use all the education benefits and programs available to you.

tuition assistance for army reservists

apply for army reserve tuition assistance now! log in using your ako username and password. or, if necessary, you can print and fill out da form 2171-e, request for tuition assistance - army continuing education system (.pdf).
the downloadable form should only be used in cases where you are unable to access the online application. completing the form online will speed your tuition assistance processing by both generating the form for your signature and automatically submitting your tuition assistance request to your education specialist.

your tuition assistance benefits overview:

branch
army
maximum assistance

100% tuition and fees, not to exceed:
$250 @ semester credit hour
$166 @ quarter credit hour
$4500 @ fiscal year
ta covers...
tuition
lab fees
enrollment fees
special fees
computer fees
status
active duty
arng on active duty
army reserves in ad status
enroll
go to army reserve webs web site

a couple of other helpful links...

army continuing education system (aces)
montgomery gi bill view montgomery gi bill information and eligibility requirements.
defense activity for non-traditional education support (dantes)
national guard tuition assistance if you're in the national guard and are curious about tuition assistance, please click to learn more.

this wasn't what i was referring to. i had seen it posted somewhere where the reserves was matching state national guard programs. i figured i would post this anyway for public knowledge because i know there are quite a few posters out there interested in getting their bsn's/ etc. hopefully this would help.

i will keep looking for what i saw and will post it when i find it. :>d

p.s. i hope this was legal to post. i don't mean to get anyone upset. :>d

just_cause, BSN, RN · Jan 7, 2009

Ok - I'm sorry I thought you were referring to educational benefits that were given to the individual rather then a benefit of being on duty - which does incur and ADSO if I'm not mistaken.

Staczse7 · Jan 8, 2009

I can't find what I was looking for, I'll keep digging around to see if I can find it. It was a posting, on a military website (I thought) that basically stated and it may have been Connecticut only because I am serving in a unit based in CT and a fellow RN/friend/unit member keeps saying she wants to deploy because when she comes back she wants to get her BSN because "it'll be tuition-free". Anyhow, to further follow up what I posted, my MAJ-P bf, who is in school presently for his Masters' is using the above program (TA) and it works out great for him. However, the program he was in was significantly more expensive than the $250/ per credit, but he recently, very much so just completed transferring all his credits to (I think) American Military University which is very military friendly and is much less expensive.

Now for us nursing folks.... and for those seeking BSN's....... I learned of this program....... Indiana State University all distance learning and within the $250/per credit hours. and for those of us wanting MSN's there are 3 tracks (FNP's one of them) and it's $50 per credit hour more than the $250 per credit hour. Oh and there's no GRE required HOOAH!!!! that GRE is a P.I.T.A.

Anyway, "Just" you know more about all this military stuff than I do.... I'm a newbie at all this. You can interject at anytime.... It's all appreciated!!!! :>D

Staczse7 · Jan 8, 2009

You know... I don't know why I didn't think of this before.... all this talk about deferring.... and I added the TA piece........ you can defer while you are actively studying for another degree. So scenario can be...... (feel free to interject)..... you enroll.... in distance learning program... say for BSN/MSN ok'd by TA people........ you get TA.... loans get deferred anyway cuz you are actively pursuing degree and you are not adding any further debt.......especially if you can find a degree program within the $250/credit hour that TA allows. HMMMMM............am I on the right track w/ this?

sassysoldier · Jan 9, 2009

that is great!!! I wish I would have known about that while I was in school.

captncourageous98 · Jan 9, 2009

I am really at witts end here! I live in Indiana coincidentally and checked out the ISU program. I am an LPN working on my ASN and my goal is to get atleast BSN if not MSN. I was really not that impressed with the campus nor the program. Went for the tour and met with advisor. They were not at all prepared for my arrival after scheduling one month ahead of time. The program is only a year old. It is legitimate however, I would do the distance learning over going through the publishing company route (College Network). I am still trying to sort out what I am going to do.

My thoughts:

1. Work for VA Hospital 10K per year loan reimbursment max 60K lifetime. (Hiring Process is long)

2. Join Army reserve as 2nd LT with ASN then either take the bonus of 15K

plus HPLRP up to 50K

3. AR with much needed bonus 15K (car is crapping out) plus STRAP

program for ASN to BSN.

4. Navy Nurse Canidate Program (Junior Year)

5. Navy practicing nurse after obtaining BSN 20K sign on + 38K loan

repayment.

If I can get on at VA Hospital I would let them pay for my ASN to BSN while working for them (1-3 yr. commitment). Ultimatley I want to retire early and not work until age 68.

Am I alone in this matter??!!!! Uggghhhh!!!

TNX,

Dave

Staczse7 · Jan 9, 2009

Dave

I can understand your frustration as I myself am trying to figure out what to do about obtaining my MSN/FNP. I was attending classes, but the school was over 50 miles away and very expensive and I was not overly impressed w/ the instructors there.

The thing with ISU and other distance learning programs is you need to be disciplined to sit down and do the actual work and get the assignments in on time. I worked w/ a RN, who was in the Navy who recommended the program and that was over a year ago, so that is what piqued my interest in ISU.

As for retiring early, I got my annual letter from SSA last week.... If I work to the age of 70, as it stands now I will get $2100 a month. I'm 45 now. whoo-whoo.

I have student loans up to my eyeballs.... a result of my RN, BSN and a year of MSN classes. You can always look for that program that aids student loan repayment by agreeing to work for a few years in a area that is economically disadvantaged. I don't recall the name of the program but perhaps that can supplement whatever the military can/will do.

and maybe there's tuition reinbursement where you work now?

Staczse7 · Jan 10, 2009

Hello

while I was poking around on another thread I came across this list of grad schools that offer distance learning programs.

Here ya go:

Originally Posted by Tammy79, RN

Here are a few more to check out which offer all or part via distance:

Albany State University

Ball State University

California State University--Dominguez Hills

Case Western Reserve University

Duke University

Duquesne University

East Carolina University

Felician College

Frontier Nursing

Florida State University

George Washington University

Graceland College

Hampton University

Indiana State University

Indiana University-Purdue University

Montana State University--Bozeman ??Online component

Northern Arizona University

Northern Kentucky University

Old Dominion University

SUNY--Stony Brook

South Dakota State University

St. Louis University

Thomas Jefferson University

University of Alabama--Birmingham

University of Colorado--Colorado Springs

University of South Florida

University of Texas--Arlington

Western University of Health Sciences

Wheeling Jesuit University

Wright State University