Army Reserve Nursing

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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 Stepdown.
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.

Thank you JeckRN! Let me ask you something. What do you think is the best, easiest route to take to obtain my ADN? Should I just continue on with my plan which is to start pre-reqs for RN school enroll which might take me about 2 1/2 more years (takes me to about 40-41) :eek:then enlist in the reserves as an officer then apply for strap to get my BSN? I've read alot of post since regarding STRAP and how people are comparing active vs reserves in regards to tying to attend school while serving active duty. They say it's taking them longer with that route. They recommend getting the RN first then coming in as like I said above and officer. I don't know. I just wanna serve my country by being in the reserves and be a nurse.:redbeathe

Thanks in advanced!

Stephanie:nurse:

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

It would be easier to obtain your RN while in the reserves then active. I earned by ADN while I was enlisted in the Navy Reserves then my BSN as a officer in the Army Reserves. If you are using STRAP to fund your education you are non-deployable but if using other sources you can be activited/deployed.

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Specializes in L+D, ambulatory surgery, Womens Health.

Athena, I'm also a 52 year old nurse, just joined the US army reserves as a 66H. I'm a womens health care NP and have my MSN, and hope to make CPT before too long. I'm awaiting my orders. I have prior military (USMC 30 years ago) and was told my training is 4 weeks at Sam Houston. I'd love to chat or email with you if possible.

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Trying to correspond with Athena or any of you that are reserve Army nurses. I can't email on this program. I received my commission and would love to talk to some of you. My email is [email protected]

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Specializes in Psychiatric.
Hi!

I have been in the army reserves for almost 2 years.. I'm a Dental Specialist... in the process of reclassing to combat medic/LPN... *crosses fingers*

It's alot of fun. We drill once a month usually the 3rd weekend in the month.. We go to the range, teach classes, and other training stuff... It's easy money.. I'm currently in a non deployable unit.. :D

and Lcraig.. it's never too late to join.. We have a 60 year old guy in my unit.. maybe older... it's a medical suport unit..

If anyone wants more information let me know.. I'm an Army reserves recruiting assistant!! :D

-Heather

Hello, I'm currently a student in an Accelerated BSN program in Massachusetts, due to graduate in May 2011. I'm beginning to consider my professional options and make plans for the future and one thought is the Reserves. I volunteered overseas with the Peace Corps and appreciated the lessons learned. I have an interest in international relief work, and possibly working with DMAT. Anyway, I was wondering what your thoughts were on a new grad joining up? Also, I plan to go for my MSN as an NP, so may that will have an effect.

Thanks. Feel free to email me at (no spaces) rae dochartaigh at g mail dot com. (I can't PM here, yet)

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Neuro/Trauma ICU.

Hey everybody,

I am a 30 year old female nurse with 3 years of ICU experience thinking of joining the army reserves. I have read a lot of forums here about the reserves and am so excited! Can anybody please tell me how long it takes to be sworn in to going to officer training? Thanks!

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

Depends on your unit. They are to send you within 1 year from the time you get orders to them. It can take 2 months to get orders for the unit. Once you get your orders you can start drilling with them before you go to OBLC.

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Neuro/Trauma ICU.

Thanks Jeckrn! Hopefully it won't take a year though :) Am excited on taking this journey and can't wait to submitt my application. Wish me luck :)

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Specializes in CVICU.

I started drilling in may and took the oath in April. We finally got my med profile all green and good to go. It takes forever for the paperwork to go through. My first request for OBC was denied cause the computer hadnt updated my physical profile. So we put in for OBC again on Friday. Then it has to go up 3 levels or something before it gets to HRC for approval/dissaproval. So last time it took 2 or 3 months just to go up the levels to get denied cause my PHA wasnt updated in computer. So then I had to scamble to get all physical docs together so I could get my green light. So it can take along time but you can shorten it and you must be proactive. I would say maybe a year from getting sworn in to going to OBC simply cause paper moves so slow. Ive heard of people taking up to the 3 years that they are allowed to go to OBC...

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Specializes in ICU and CRNA.

I am an army reserve CRNA and I took oath in March. I also am trying to get a green on my PHA even though I had the initial medical eval. I am looking at April for OBLC but half of the slots were already filled when i went to APMC orientation last week. I don't want to go to Fort Sam in the middle of summer. It will take a good year once your oath is taken due to large amount of healthcare providers joining. Yes you have up to three years to complete OBLC and are nondeployable until you complete it. And you will be deployed for a year as an RN unless you are a 90 day rotator(CRNA/MD).

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hey guys,

i was thinking of joining the army reserve. i am a male rn (2 yr degree) and in bsn for biochemistry. what can i accept in reserve? will i be an officer? will i be able to cont my school? the pay and everything else. i m not getting good answers from the army's website. i would welcome any info. thanks.

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Is it possible to be non deployable in the army reserves and just do stuff in your home city?? Or given we have 2 active wars, is everyone potentially deployable? What exactly does the reserve entail and how long does the commitment tend to be? Thank you so much in advance for your help!!

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