Published Jan 25, 2017
Cochise82
8 Posts
Hey everyone! I'm an Army Nurse in the reserves (just transferred from active duty to reserves last year), and I just got approved for the Army's 66-E Perioperative course at Fort Lewis! I'm crazy excited. I was planning on taking a periop course through Bellarmine university in Louisville this spring, but very happy to do this instead.
Anyone been to the course at Fort Lewis? Just had some general questions for fellow Army Nurses as far as what to expect, billeting, the area, etc. It starts in June.
Thank everyone!
Posted this in general before I saw there was a "government/military section"
LessValuableNinja
754 Posts
I haven't been to the course, but was at the hospital hosting it for four years. I'd love to move back there. While you're there, in addition to the obvious places everyone visits, highly recommend Point Defiance park. Keep driving until you find the beach, hidden behind miles of trees. You can see Mount Rainier poking up over the water and treeline (the beach cuts it in half when you view from the beach). Super Zen moments were had there.
Point Defiance Park > Metro Parks Tacoma
If you're outdoorsy, camping on Mt Rainier is great too.
Say hi to my old office on the 8th floor.
TheCommuter, BSN, RN
102 Articles; 27,612 Posts
I have been to the area before. I went to LDAC there, was almost ten years ago when I was there. I remember it being very pretty and all of my friends that have been stationed there loved it. I'm excited for the course and to explore when we have our days off. Hoping whatever billeting arrangements there are will allow me to have my kids up there for a few weeks.
jeckrn, BSN, RN
1,868 Posts
When I went we were put up on post at the Rainer lodging; these were efficacy units. Class started around 0630 and ended around 1600. In the first couple of weeks you will spend more time in the classroom vs. the OR but as the course progresses you ended up only in the classroom for 1 day a week.
When did you go? I have some friends that went but none of them went to Lewis. They were either at the Bliss course (before it closed) and Fort Sam. My friends that went to Bliss and Sam said they were put up in furnished apartments.
The Rainier lodge are 1 bedroom efficiency apartments on base.