Army Reserve Nursing

Specialties Government

Published

Has anyone recently joined the Army Reserves? I am considering but am trying to get the most (accurate) information. I graduated in 1993 (BSN) and have been in critical care and trauma since then.

What is OBC like? What do you do during your drill weekends?

Thanks!

Specializes in ER / Med-Surg.

parfum:

check out my previous thread : https://allnurses.com/government-military-nursing/reserves-vs-national-416561.html .

i received some great feedback - hope you find it useful.

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Specializes in HD, Homecare, Med/Surg, Infectious Disease.

Hello Athena,

You seem to be a wealth of information re: army reserve nurse corp. So i was just wondering if you could tell me: have you ever heard of an RN not being chosen by the board for not having a civilian RN job??? My Reserve nursing application is like 99% complete but it seems every week my recruiter has a new problem. I am getting very frustrated because I am sooo excited about the USANC and my recruiter just doesn't seem to know what he is doing! Is it possible to go with a different recruiter?

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Specializes in Nurse Faculty, PMHNP-BC.

aanwyn, you and i are in the same boat my recruiter doesn't seem to know what he is doing either. I was wondering if it is possible to get another recruiter.

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Specializes in HD, Homecare, Med/Surg, Infectious Disease.
aanwyn, you and i are in the same boat my recruiter doesn't seem to know what he is doing either. I was wondering if it is possible to get another recruiter.

I looked online to see what recruiters are designated for specific areas. My area only has the one healthcare recruiting station but you can check to see what is available in yours: http://www.goarmy.com/amedd/find_a_recruiter.jsp. Usually there is more than one recruiter in the office/station so you can check it out I suppose. Good luck!

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Specializes in critical care: trauma/oncology/burns.

Hello aanwyn:

One is given TIG=Time in Grade for the amount of time one has worked as a professional RN. This TIG will reflect if one comes in as a 2LT, 1LT, or CPT

As you know one must have their ADN to become a Commissioned Officer in the ARNC, and a BSN in regular Army (AD)

How long have you been out of school? (Just curious) As long as you have graduated from an accrediated college you would most likely come in as a 2LT.

What about your health care recruiter has you frustrated? Most of the Branches of the Armed Forces have met their quota or continue to fill their monthly slots, so the urgency is gone. Also your Recruiter might be handling many applications. I would keep on her/him. Give a weekly or bi monthly call. I did because I didn't hear anything for like 4 months....The whole process took me, let me think....I want to say 9,10 months from the time I received my age waiver (to apply to the ARNC) to the day I raised my right hand. My only regret is that I didn't go AD sooner!

Don't give up your goal. Hey, keep us posted, okay?

athena Camp Victory, Iraq

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Specializes in ICU/Emergency Room.

AANWYN and Butterfly,

I'm not exactly sure whats going on with the med. recruiters. I've become frustrated with mine as well. I started the application process 5 months ago and I am still waiting to hear back. My application finally got boarded November 24th so I'm still waiting to hear back to see if I got accepted. Dealing with my recruiter has been a series of disappointments every single step of my process this far has had snags and he can NEVER give me a straight answer to a question. His response is always that he's waiting on someone else to do what they are supposed to do. One of the nurses I work with was selected back in July, she had to get a waiver. She was told it would take a week or so,,,, she is still waiting. I don't know if the problem is with the recruiters or somewhere else in the chain but I wish they would fix it. It should not take 9 to 12 months to get into the reserves. I guess it is what it is though. Good luck and keep us posted

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Specializes in ICU/Emergency Room.

so to further exhibit how bad the recruitment system is right now, I got call from my recruiter this afternoon to tell me that QA found errors he made in my application and requested further documentation. My application never got boarded. I had to drive two hours round trip to bring him information he required. Now my application goes back to QA then to the board. When I asked him how much longer it is going to be his answer was "I have no idea"

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Specializes in Stepdown.

:nurse:I'm loking for Mustanggirl....I in need of information regarding the army reserves. I'm currently a student Practial nurse with only 2 1/2 months till grudation then NCLEX. I'm 37yrs old female who's wants to give back to my country yet acquire the military background. What would be my next step after NCLEX? I have 13 yrs Health care background, CNA 13 years.Want to become an LPN-BSN. Located in Virginia--Hampton Roads area.(Norfolk)

Thanks in advanced!

Stephanie:nurse:

:flwrhrts:

PS. You can PM if you like.:p

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Specializes in ICU/Emergency Room.

LPN's can not receive a commission as an officer. You can however enlist as a medic. Contact your local recruiter for details and to get the process started. Good luck, feel free to post if you have any questions.

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.
:nurse:I'm loking for Mustanggirl....I in need of information regarding the army reserves. I'm currently a student Practial nurse with only 2 1/2 months till grudation then NCLEX. I'm 37yrs old female who's wants to give back to my country yet acquire the military background. What would be my next step after NCLEX? I have 13 yrs Health care background, CNA 13 years.Want to become an LPN-BSN. Located in Virginia--Hampton Roads area.(Norfolk)

Thanks in advanced!

Stephanie:nurse:

:flwrhrts:

PS. You can PM if you like.:p

You can go in as a 68WM6 (LPN) once you pass your NCLEX. Do not know if you have to have any experience first thou, will have to talk with a recruiter first. The process for joining the military as a enlisted soldier is not as long as joining as a officer. If everything goes right you can enlist inless then 1 week. Once in you can use the STRAP program or tution assistance to continue your education.

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Specializes in Stepdown.
You can go in as a 68WM6 (LPN) once you pass your NCLEX. Do not know if you have to have any experience first thou, will have to talk with a recruiter first. The process for joining the military as a enlisted soldier is not as long as joining as a officer. If everything goes right you can enlist inless then 1 week. Once in you can use the STRAP program or tution assistance to continue your education.

Okay let me make sure I have this straight. After NCLEX, I can enlist in the reserves as a 68wm6 (MOS). Once I have completed the process and are sworn in, I can apply for the STRAP program to obtain my BSN....is that correct? I thought I could enlist as a reservest with STAP in my contract or something like that. (as you can see I'm clueless about the military process) Anyway I really don't see me enlisting until Jan 2011. I say 2011 only because it looks like I need to lose 30 pounds according to the weight requirement and that gives me 6mths experience on the floor as a new nurse. I'm 5ft-11" and I need to be 182lbs and I'm at 211-212. What exactly needs to be in my contract when I talk with a recruitor? Sorry full of questions and excited at the same time.:p Now...I need to talk with my finace.:D

Goal is to be a direct commission after completing my RN. How long is basic?:o

Thanks in advanced for all your information. It is very much appreciated.

Thanks,

Stephanie,SPN:nurse:

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

As far as having the STRAP in your contract you will need to speak with a recruiter. Also what needs to be in your contract is that you will be a M6 not a straight 68W, terms that you will serve as a drilling reservist. If you can get speak with a enlisted member of the reserves they would be able to give you better answers since that is their lane. Good luck with the weight loss. Finishing schooling should help but be careful if you work nights, easy to gain weight working nights.

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