Army Reserve Question

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Hey all.

BSN, RN working full-time in the state of Ohio. Currently working on my FNP. Looking to maybe join Army Reserve.

Briefly talked to AMEDD recruiter and he said the only training I had to go through was 28 days of BOLC. I saw there is a long course BOLC as well that is 7 weeks long. Am I definitely only going to need the short course? I have no prior military service.

Also any other general input on the subject of being an RN/NP in the Reserves would be appreciated.

Thanks

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

The longer course is for active duty. I believe Reservists do part of it online, which shortens BOLC for them.

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Reserves does modules for no compensation except retirement points. I literally sat down for 2 weeks straight every day for 6-8 hours and finally got them done. I would have much preferred the longer course but for reserve nurses that isn't an option.

As a reservist you are only there for the field portion which is a little over 3 weeks.

If you do get selected I foresee you being brought in as a med-surg nurse 66H or 66M5/8A if you are ED/ICU respectively.OB/psych/OR/Public health have their own AOC.

NPs billets aren't that common in the Army but they are around. If you are set on being an NP in the Army I would wait till you graduate then apply. There are PLENTY of NPs in the reserves but most act as RNs because that is the AOC they fill. Transitioning from an RN slot to NP is a ton of paperwork and not always possible.

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Thanks for the answers!

Dranger, that is a bummer that transitioning is difficult. Recruiter didn't mention it being an issue but then again he may just be sugar coating things. Was hoping to get started soon to build up benefits time and tuition assistance. Is there any way for a civilian to see numbers, like how many of a specific AOC they are trying to get at any given time?

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I mean you could call the local AMEDD recruiter and ask but I don't think they will give you exact numbers.

Also tuition assistance is terrible for officers as they expect the Army already paid for one degree (ROTC etc). It's 4500 for 4 years of service, so unless you do some active duty orders time and get your GI Bill the education benefits are poor.

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

The AF only requires 2 years from the date that you finished your last class for tuition assistance. I'm not 100% sure if reservists qualify for it. Like the previous posters have stated, it only covers $250 per credit hour (up to $4500 per year) of classes that you are currently taking. I'm taking MSN classes at my local state school, and it covers about 2/3 of my tuition.

The exact numbers are hard to come by. The best that you'll get is a ballpark for any branch. That stuff is always in flux as people separate or retire. They don't make the final decision until the board meets from my understanding. Direct commissioning is a last-resort tool to fill-in the remaining manning gaps.

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