Army nurse recruiting

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Hello, I'm trying to work with a recruiter to join the army as a nurse but it's ridiculously difficult to get ahold of the recruiter or make any progress. The recruiter always has an excuse of why she never returns phone calls or emails. She always says she will do something or call back and never does. I have my packet in for weeks but with no results. Anyone experience this? Anyone one with suggestions on how to resolve? If I knew who the officer of that recruiting station is I would call them. Thanks

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It's because they don't need anyone right now unless you are a CRNA or in some specialty area with tons of of experience.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
I have my packet in for weeks but with no results.

What is the "packet" to which you're referring? Is it a general inquiry type of thing?

Recruiters are generally overwhelmed with inquiries and cover a large region. Unless you have something immediate to offer the Army (any specialty certs, for example?), they're probably going to be spending more time on those who are specialty nurses.

Also, the selection boards are held once a year now, in November, so you'd have to wait for next year's selection board regardless. On the positive side, that gives you plenty of time to get your entire application packet ready for the board, if you pass your commissioning physical. This is probably a very busy time for your recruiter with last minute requirements to get packets board-ready, so hopefully you'll hear from her after the whirlwind, maybe next month or January. Good luck!

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Unless you have something immediate to offer the Army (any specialty certs, for example?), they're probably going to be spending more time on those who are specialty nurses.

Also, the selection boards are held once a year now, in November, so you'd have to wait for next year's selection board regardless. On the positive side, that gives you plenty of time to get your entire application packet ready for the board, if you pass your commissioning physical. This is probably a very busy time for your recruiter with last minute requirements to get packets board-ready, so hopefully you'll hear from her after the whirlwind, maybe next month or January. Good luck!

I am aware that the Army is over strength in a majority of nursing disciplines, to include critical care. You reference certs and experience... Is the experience determined by years or quality? I've been a nurse for almost 9 years, six of which I worked trauma, transplant, and surgical ICU in one of the top 8 hospitals in the country. I don't have 30 yrs in, but I'm certain I can hang with the best. ;-). My concern is my last few yrs. I've transitioned to case management/utilization management. In order to go back to crit care/trauma (which is truly my passion) in the Army, are there stipulations for recent practice? I'm also masters prepared (MSN/Ed), my current clinical consists of teaching new nurses 'how to get it right'. Lol.

I welcome any knowledge/advice you can offer.

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

You have the experience that the Army is looking for but since you have been working in case management the last few years that is what they are going to look at. Right know case management is over strength and no longer able to sign up for a bonus like other areas are. Med/Surg nurses also are not eligible to sign up for the bonus which ranges from 5K to 20K a year depending on how many years you sign up for. Your MSN does help you but you need to be activity working in a area which the Army needs. The competition is extremely tough; this year the goal was only 10 Army wide for direct commission which you would be.

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New to this board. JeckRN- you seem knowledgeable about the current Army climate. I was told by a recruiter that loan repayment AND bonus is no longer available to nurse practitioners in the reserve or guard. Is this the latest information? The ANC website still shows the options open.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
My concern is my last few yrs. I've transitioned to case management/utilization management. In order to go back to crit care/trauma (which is truly my passion) in the Army, are there stipulations for recent practice?

Yes, you have to have worked a certain number of hours in the last two years in the specialty area -- I think it's 1500 or 1750 hours, can't recall (I applied for and received the identifier in 2010, so it's been a little while!). The Army does like using case managers, though.

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.
New to this board. JeckRN- you seem knowledgeable about the current Army climate. I was told by a recruiter that loan repayment AND bonus is no longer available to nurse practitioners in the reserve or guard. Is this the latest information? The ANC website still shows the options open.

The recruiters for the most part have the upto date information. Often the web sites are behind on updating the information.

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Thanks Lunah, this info is great to know. It's amazing that the AMEDD recruiter did not share this.

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This truly breaks my heart. I've started early with letters of recommendations, as per my recruiter. Many of the unit docs I worked with are COLs and one a bit higher up the food chain is a Rear Adm. It appears I'm lacking enough hours in a day to get the hrs presented by Lunah under my belt again. I'll take a significant pay cut by going back to the unit in this facility.

Back to the drawing board I go.

Thanks again!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
This truly breaks my heart. I've started early with letters of recommendations, as per my recruiter. Many of the unit docs I worked with are COLs and one a bit higher up the food chain is a Rear Adm. It appears I'm lacking enough hours in a day to get the hrs presented by Lunah under my belt again. I'll take a significant pay cut by going back to the unit in this facility.

Back to the drawing board I go.

Thanks again!

You might be able to come in as a case manager, though. I think the Army has a need in that area. Don't give up!

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New to this board. JeckRN- you seem knowledgeable about the current Army climate. I was told by a recruiter that loan repayment AND bonus is no longer available to nurse practitioners in the reserve or guard. Is this the latest information? The ANC website still shows the options open.

Army rarely uses NPs, I have seen 1 so far in my career and from what I hear most of the others are civilians. PAs reign supreme as the midlevels in the military with exception to CRNAs. I know many reserve nurses who are 66H (Med surg Army nurses) but NPs in the civvy world. The Army just doesnt use them.

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