Army Reservist, Nursing School and a deployment

[Fenixrisen]

Just wondering is anyone has any advice for me.

I did four years enlisted Active Duty, and now I am a drilling Reservist. Since I now am legally a Florida resident again, I'm starting school in the spring to knock out a few pre-reqs, then I'll be in the ADN program at the local Community College. Of course, this is depends on me getting accepted, but I have high hopes. :)

Anyhow, the problem with this is a possible deployment that would just happen to be about midway through the nursing program. While I understand most schools will do their best to accomodate military service, how do I, as a student, handle taking a year+ break in the middle of something that, by all accounts I've read here, is quite all-consuming?

The other rub is the fact that I don't have to deploy. If I do not re-enlist, my term would expire shortly before the deployment, and that'd be it. Except I like what I do. I like being involved with the Army, even if I only get to do it for a few days a month now. And the opportunities in the Reserves after I get my ADN are more than enough motivation for me to want to re-enlist.

So, how do I stay in the Reserves, become a nurse, and deploy, without screwing any of them up?

Some possibly relevant details on preview: I'm in a ARMEDCOM unit, but not patient care-related; I left Active Duty because of family health issues that mean I'm going to be where I am in Florida for the next few years, at least. If anyone has any other questions, I'll answer.

Thanks for any advice you all have. Hopefully I'll be able to count myself among the members of the Military Nurses in a few years. :)

[hopeful_army_NP]

I'm not sure but wouldn't the ECS program work for you, the program is for reservist pursing an associates or bachelors degree, it states no deployment while in school. Here is the link http://www.goarmy.com/reserve/nps/ecs.jsp

Best wishes, I hope it all works out for you.

[Wisconsinbee]

One option I am aware of, besides having a unit that supports your educational efforts, is being accepted for a direct commission before the deployment occurs. According to the Army PPG , 2-8g(1) "An RC Soldier who has been notified of acceptance for a direct appointment before mobilization will not be mobilized with his or her unit." Depending on the timing and if you are planning to stay with the military this could help you.

The full 200+ page regulation can be found at the Army G-1 website.

[SoldierMedicNurse]

I know that this is an old post but hopefullythis helps.

Let me start by saying that reading your story is like reliving my own story. I was an active duty medic that elected to go reserve because of family issues. Afterward, I decided to return to school to get my RN license. During my last semester of nursing school, I was deployed. While the school needing a little educating on my rights to readmission, I was allowed to immediately pick up where I left off once I returned stateside.

The biggest challenges that I faced were 1) a year without being in a classroom 2) spending a yer operating as a medic and not a nurse 3) major lack of re-bonding time with my family when I returned.

Fortunately, I passed the last semester of nursing school, passed the NCLEX-RN and accepted a commission very shortly thereafter. It was so worth it. Do know that you can do all of these things at once. Stay motivated and work hard.