Hey everyone. I'm talking with a recruiter right now about joining the Army Reserves. He is a Captain that specializes only with medical people.
Basically, they are offering me a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant. I will be going to school for my BSN, be non-deployable for two years while I'm doing this, not have to do the "one weekend a month" drill (unless I want to for extra money) and I'll be getting $1,600 a month. The program this falls under is called the STRAP program. After I get my BSN, then I will have to drill and I will be eligible for deployment.
Has anyone else done something similar to this? What are your experiences with recruiters and the military? What questions should I ask him?
Specializes in critical care: trauma/oncology/burns.
congratulations on passing your nursing boards!
i get that i may be deployed during that time. i'm curious what the 1 weekend a month and two weeks a year include? what goes on during that time? where do you get sent and what do you do?
it all depends upon which troop program unit (tpu) you will be assigned to. you might - if you are an 8a (critical care nurse), be assigned to a csh (combat support hospital). if you are assigned to a tpu like a medical support unit or msu, you would as a 66h 9rn) teach the other soldiers stuff like treatment for heat casualty, how to insert an iv etc.
once you attend and graduate from oblc you would be able to go on medret's (medical reserves exercise training) missions or perform srp's (soldier readiness process)
once a year you will attend your annual training - at, perhaps at fort mccoy, wi. there you will learn how to set up and dismantle tempos (csh) for example, or learn how to communicate using a radio/dustoff, weapons qualification etc
i was also curious about the rest of the time in the year...is there work as a reservist beside the time required? i don't have a job as a civilian rn and would be interested in working for the army as a rn if they have jobs avalible..anyone want to shed light on that? whats the pay like and the pay schedule (besides the bouses)? is there pay for the reserves or is it only the bonues?
you will, once your packet is accepted via the board, and you commission on as an army nurse in the reserves, will get a monthly paycheck (as long as you drill). of course, if you do stuff outside your drills or battle assemblies, and you have orders, you will be paid for them as well. check out www.goarmy.com for more information. make sure you contact a healthcare recruiter
I JUST joined the Army Reserves and I have to tell U that everything my recruiter told me so far has been true. Also everything is spelled out for you in the contract that you sign on the day of your "Oath Of Office". Just make sure you read what you sign (as always :)). I did also just receive my bonus exactly as promised. My recruiter never told me I will not be deployed - on the contrary, he made sure I was aware of the possibility. Personally, I think of that in terms of when and not if. It took me a long time to finally decide to actually do this. Think of the worst thing that could possibly happen and if you think you can deal with that then go ahead and sign up. I've talked to quite a few RN's and CRNA's who are or were in the Army Reserves and the ones whose opinion matters to me have positive things to say about it. Take your time with this decision!
I'm also a veteran and would advise you to a) explore all your service options b) talk to some active duty nurses and c) GET IT IN WRITING (whatever your recruiter is promising you). You have to keep in mind that the military's needs will ALWAYS come first...I'm always wary of the promises not to deploy. If you're joining the military, get it in your head that you'll be gone 4-18 months at a time about every 2 years. If you can take that, then you'll be fine. Another thing to consider is the type of nursing experience your likely to get in each service. Last time I checked, the AF only had 5 medical centers left...I think they try to station new nurses at them. But if you don't, you could get stuck in a clinic...not so great for a new nurse.
I'm pretty sure the AF Still offers a program similar to the one the Army recruiter is offering you. The AF was also recently offering $20,000 cash (before taxes) or $30,000 toward college loans for new grads. But you don't get both...if you take assistance during school, you don't get the bonus as well.
FYI, there's an entire area of allnurses dedicated to military/VA nursing. Look under the specialty tab at the top. You might find some good info there.
Good luck!
Actually - you can get both in the USAF - the sign-on bonus and the loan repayment, you just have to sign for six years. I know this because that's what I've gotten.
And this wasn't in this post, but it sort of gets to me so I feel compelled to say something: anyone who decides to enter the military - any branch, any level (active or reserve) - and doesn't once consider the fact that you will most certainly be deployed at some point needs to rethink their decision - BEFORE you even start listening to the lines recruiters will tell you. It's part of the deal - you swear to support and defend the Constitution, obey the lawful orders of those over you (and to only give lawful orders to those below you, should you be an officer), and this all includes the military's ultimate purpose: defense of the US and her allies, which can and right now does mean war.
Flame away if you must - I assure you I can take it.
Agree with carolinapooh, when the 1st gulf war kicked off there was all kind of reservist from all services who could not believe that they where being activated. They went on the news etc. crying about having to leave their families etc. and said that the reserves was only to be 1 weekend a month, 2 weeks a year. Anytime that you are in the military, any branch, any status, you can execpt to deploy sometime during your career. It is best to plan for it. Deploying is easier on the service member then it is on the families since we know what we are doing and the families do not. Good luck on your choice. Like I tell everyone speak with all the services before you make up your mind to assure yourself that you choose the service that fits you the best.
Specializes in Med Surg, Family Medicine, Urgent Care.
I am a STRAP officer, 1st LT, in the Army Reserve. It's a pretty sweet deal. I commissioned May 26th. My orders just came through this week so I should be getting my stipend checks pretty soon. They will be retroactive as of my commisioning date. As someone else said, it is 1900.00 or so monthly. My job is to finish my BSN, which I am doing online full time while I also work full time. I am pretty busy, but it is certainly doable to do both. As far as recruiters, some are better than others, but either way, always be on top of your own situation and don't wait for stuff to happen on its own. This is my second time in the Army, first being in the infantry, and I had one good recruiter, and one not so good. Also, if you start the process, be patient. It can be a slow road to get everything in line. I applied in Jan 09 and commissioned May 09. The main thing to ask yourself is "Is my primary goal to serve?" If the answer is yes, then you will put up with whatever is necessary to get here.
Specializes in ER/Trauma Administration Geriatrics.
Flame away if you must - I assure you I can take it.
No flames here!!!!!!!!!!!! Too many potential military nurses -- looking at either the AD or the Reserves -- look only at the $$$$ and not the reality. If they sign their contract -- and then cash the checks -- they panic when the call comes. So many complain that their recruiters told them differently -- but if you are so naive to believe everything your recruiter tells you -- wellllllllllllllllllllllllllll -- I have a bridge in Brooklyn I want to sell..............
My packet for the Reserves was at board this week. I too will be starting my BSN program this Fall through McKendree University in Lebanon, IL. It is accredited by the NLN. However, I finished my ADN this past Spring in May, took my boards June 18th, and passed. I have been working as an RN now for about a month. My ADN school (Rend Lake College) was a great school, with excellent staff. But, it was not accredited by the NLN. The board now says i'm not able to do the Reserves because of this. My recruiter, who is great, is working this but it is just frustrating, as it is one thing after the other. I don't see why this should matter one bit as my BSN school is accredited and I will not be activated until I hold my BSN degree, which will be August of 2010. Anyone ran into this issue before? Thanks!
Specializes in Med Surg, Family Medicine, Urgent Care.
I agree with your logic and hope it works out for you. Don't give up, even if you have to wait for the BSN to be complete. By the way, I grew up in Benton and am quite familiar with RLC. It is a good school.
Thank you for the kind remarks. My sister and her husband and children live in Benton. You are correct, RLC is a great school, with an excellent ADN program. Like you said, I will just wait it out and join after my BSN degree. Thanks again!
I JUST joined the Army Reserves and I have to tell U that everything my recruiter told me so far has been true. Also everything is spelled out for you in the contract that you sign on the day of your "Oath Of Office". Just make sure you read what you sign (as always :)). I did also just receive my bonus exactly as promised. My recruiter never told me I will not be deployed - on the contrary, he made sure I was aware of the possibility. Personally, I think of that in terms of when and not if. It took me a long time to finally decide to actually do this. Think of the worst thing that could possibly happen and if you think you can deal with that then go ahead and sign up. I've talked to quite a few RN's and CRNA's who are or were in the Army Reserves and the ones whose opinion matters to me have positive things to say about it. Take your time with this decision!
NotNursy can you tell me some of the experiences your CRNA army reserves colleagues have told you about. Good and bad. Were they previoously in the military?
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athena55, BSN, RN
987 Posts