Army Reserve Nursing

jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA · Oct 19, 2018

Contracts don't get individualized in my experience. You usually get to pick between 2 or 3 'stock' contracts; loan repayment or special pay or both or neither. They don't add or subtract language for one person.

jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA · Oct 21, 2018

The main thing to look for is your experience credit. Your DOR (date of rank) should be back-dated to reflect constructive credit (i.e. 50% of your full time RN experience).

DthurmRn, BSN, RN · Oct 21, 2018

Sweet thanks for the info! I will check on the DOR info to make sure it is correct. What about the delayed deployment condition? I'm finishing up some online classes and was told you could get a temporary delayed deployment condition put in the contract. Do the recruiters put that in or is that something you work out with your unit? I don't mind being deployed but it sure would help if it waited at least one more semester!

jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA · Oct 21, 2018

I'm not as familiar with reserves. My best guess is that it's something you work out with your unit; I can't imagine commissioning with temporary non-deployment language in your contract.

There's many endless places one can deploy, but many medical people go to the hospital in Bagram, Iraq. You will very likely have wifi there.

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Oct 22, 2018

You will not be qualified to deploy until you have completed OBLC which you will not do right away.

DthurmRn, BSN, RN · Oct 22, 2018

Thanks for all the responses, this was very useful information. Also I was thinking of declining the loan repayment for now so that my initial contract is shorter (to ensure) this is something I enjoy). If I decline it now, how likely is it that I can get it on my next contract if I like the position and re-up?

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Oct 22, 2018

Thanks for all the responses, this was very useful information. Also I was thinking of declining the loan repayment for now so that my initial contract is shorter (to ensure) this is something I enjoy). If I decline it now, how likely is it that I can get it on my next contract if I like the position and re-up?

No matter if you take a bonus or not your contract is for 8 years, the only thing that changes is how many years you have to drill for. I you decline it now the chances are you will not get it in the future. As an officer there is no re-up. You will be commissioned & in the reserves until you resign your position. After 8 years and you decided that you want to get out and do not resign your commission you will still be in the reserves and could be activated in the future. From what we just heard the ICU ISP bonus is going up for active duty, you might want to look at this for the reserves. There are some things that can be written in your contract like a school or something but not much.

firemedic12, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Oct 23, 2018

I'm looking at the same. I have 2.5 years ICU and CCRN as well as CFRN. By the time I finish my BSN I will pass my 3 year mark. If I get 50% time credit for my civilian experience would this mean I go in as an O2 instead of an O1?

Editorial Team / Moderator · Oct 23, 2018

If I get 50% time credit for my civilian experience would this mean I go in as an O2 instead of an O1?

Yep, you should. :)

RayRN87 · Oct 23, 2018

possibly, but the 50% (constructive credit) starts at the time you get your BSN - so you might come in as an O-1 but you will qualify for special pay with your CCRN so keep that up and goodluck!

Editorial Team / Moderator · Oct 23, 2018

possibly, but the 50% (constructive credit) starts at the time you get your BSN - so you might come in as an O-1 but you will qualify for special pay with your CCRN so keep that up and goodluck!

No, the Army considers ALL time as an RN for experience, not only the time as a BSN-prepared RN. The Navy is the only one that only counts BSN onward.