Becoming an Army nurse? Or any Military for that matter?

NewNavyRN · Jul 26, 2011

hey josh

the army isn't the only branch with nurse candidate program. the navy also currently offers it. OCS is for navy officer candidates. you will not be a candidate when you are in officer school, rather you have already received a direct commission so for all intensive purposes you are already an officer (rather than a candidate). The Navy isn't a bad deal man, damn good chance of being stationed near water send me a pvt message i can tell you how my experience has been. I'm currently submitted and awaiting approval from the board.

joshdwarhawks · Jul 29, 2011

UPDATE

I spoke with an AMEDD recruiter yesterday (over the phone). We exchanged information (they requested my resume, medical history, transcript, etc.), and I will be seeing them in person in just a couple of weeks! I have to take a pulmonary function test (?) and a few other tests to prove that I'm medically sound (lol). Just thought I'd give an update though. Much thanks to everyone who's replied and given advice/thoughts.

SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN · Jul 30, 2011

That's great--glad to hear you're making progress. As far as the pulmonary function test, do you have a history of asthma or other respiratory illness?

joshdwarhawks · Jul 31, 2011

That's great--glad to hear you're making progress. As far as the pulmonary function test, do you have a history of asthma or other respiratory illness?

No history of asthma. Have had two lung surgeries to correct spontaneous pneumothorax. But I haven't had any trouble since.

NewNavyRN · Aug 1, 2011

that may be difficult to get a waiver for...

SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN · Aug 1, 2011

How many spontaneous pneumothorax episodes have you had? How long ago was it? While it could dq you, if you can show that it was over 3 years prior and that you haven't had any recurrent episodes, you may not need a waiver.

joshdwarhawks · Aug 1, 2011

How many spontaneous pneumothorax episodes have you had? How long ago was it? While it could dq you, if you can show that it was over 3 years prior and that you haven't had any recurrent episodes, you may not need a waiver.

Just once in each lung. Had a pleurodesis after each time (1 for each lung). Left lung was Oct 2009; right lung was Nov 2010. Apparently, there's a waiver for after one year; just as long as it doesn't happen again. The left lung held up through-and-after a half marathon, so I'm not worried much about it. I still run and all, and it doesn't give me problems. I was told that, assuming everything goes well with the medical evaluation, I could "enroll" in November of this year - that way I'd be able to start with the program right when the two-year window hits. I will most likely still pay for everything through federal students loans. That way, in the unfortunate event that something DOES happen to DQ me, I'll just be able to pay everything back because I've saved it all up.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Aug 1, 2011

The left lung held up through-and-after a half marathon, so I'm not worried much about it.

Dang ... I'd call that a good road test! Awesome.

joshdwarhawks · Aug 12, 2011

Just an update (and a bump ). I'm headed to the AMEDD recruiting office tomorrow with my medical records. I spoke with the sgt who's over the ANCP and set up an appointment. They're going to send out my records for review, and (IF and only IF my records don't show any significant problem - but I haven't had any complications, so I'm supposed to be good on that end) I'll fly to MEPS in Texas in a few weeks I believe. SO EXCITED! (Also, summer sessions are finally over... I passed everything. Made A's in labs and B's and a C elsewhere. We'll see what kind of effect that has on my GPA)

joshdwarhawks · Aug 27, 2011

Another update (and a good one at that). Turns out I'll be headed to Fort Sam Houston in a month! Now, I do have a question that I didn't think to ask the sgt. I was told that, instead of going to MEPS, I'll just be going straight to the hospital for my physical. How does this coincide with enlistment...?

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Aug 27, 2011

It covers the physical that you would get done at MEPS. If there is anything that you need to get taken care of to pass your physical they will do it during the time you are there. Hopefully you will tour the Center for the Interpid (CFI). We did when I went thru BAMC for my physical around 3 years ago. Just toured the last week and after being deployed I appericate what they do there even more.

One more thing you do not enlist but you are commissioned.

SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN · Aug 27, 2011

Actually, if he's going ANCP, he will enlist first. He'll commission only after he's passed the NCLEX. Congrats on the grades and the progress toward ANCP, joshdwarhawks! You're another step closer!