very confused about joining reserves as ICU RN

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Hello everyone!

I have read many of the forums and found them extremely interesting. But the more I read the more I get confused.

1 I thought obc (?) officer training class was only two weeks as per my

recruiter.

2

Specializes in MSICU.

I am glad you asked this question. I am applying to be a navy reserve nurse. I too am an icu nurse with a BSN, but a new one with only 9 months experience. I was told that the ODC in Rhode Island was only two weeks from the medical officer recruiter. Now I heard from someone in the same recruiting office that it is definitely NOT two weeks but five weeks. I am very confused about this and concerned because I am trying to keep my Staff Nurse position at the hospital that trained me while I serve as a reservist.

I think that five weeks might overextend my employer's kindness.

Can anyone offer some clarity on this?

For what branch of the military are you applying?

thanks everyone!

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Specializes in MSICU.

https://www.netc.navy.mil/nstc/otcn/Schoolhouses/DCO/index.htm

To answer my own question, DCO for a RESERVE BSN nurse already working is 12 days or two weeks. I also spoke to the medical recruiter again and she definitely said for Navy RESERVE nurses DCO is two weeks long. For ACTIVE navy nurses it is FOUR or FIVE weeks.

The link above should help out.

Hopefully this information helps other people as well.

Have a good weekend everyone!

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Specializes in ICU and Dialysis.
John,

How do you get past MEPS if you are overweight?

You don't. That's what MEPS is for - to weed out medical problems. You're recruiter shouldn't be sending you there if you have a weight problem anyway.

He's setting you up for failure in Basic Training. I've said it before and I'll say it till the day I die. NEVER believe ANYTHING a recruiter tels you unless you see it on paper. He can get his quota by getting you to BMT, after that you're on your own and it's not his problem if you fail.

Do yourself a favor, get in shape and lose the weight FIRST and then think about enlisting.

JS

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2 notes:

Direct commission officers do not go to basic training and being over weight is not always a concern.... providing the actual body composition. I am now just overweight but that generalized index is for the general population. If you pass the tape test and are a physical stud on the PT test and such - then there is no problem. If you are overweight and this is do to having a high fat level - then yes exercise and diet over long period to reduce weight - during this time you can try to work in your nursing area of desire - ie ICU so that when you enter the army you are making weight standards, fit and have specialty experience to immediately get that MOS additional skill identifier....

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Specializes in ICU and Dialysis.

You are correct about BMT (for the Air Force). I thought thats what the poster was refering too.

However, I just conformed with one of my troops who went through BMT in 2002 that there is no taping at MEPs for BMT. You have to make weight at MEPs and you have to make weight AND pass the PT test at BMT or your recycled or out.

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John,

I agree in the Army it was the case when I went through basic training -- however a few years ago, to aid in recruiting, the army created the weight control program and some 'alternative' PT testing at the time of recruitment that basically pushed a Soldier forward with a flag saying he/she was on the weight control program... citizen to soldier ends up at gaining unit, after training, and is on a special track / timeline to meet PT and weight guidelines.....key point was it did not prevent accession. I'm exercise and diet old school - reduce consumption of total calories and increase energy output - sustain for extended duration and you will lose weight... ;)

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Specializes in MED/SURG ICU, CT ICU.

Hello OTD,

You are such a wealth of information!! I was wondering if you Knew of web site that contained all the Army abbreviations and what they mean. Still getting confused with some of them.

Thanks so much!!

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Specializes in ER/Critical Care.

Got changed to 3.5 weeks. (26 days)

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Specializes in ER, NICU.
You are correct about BMT (for the Air Force). I thought thats what the poster was refering too.

However, I just conformed with one of my troops who went through BMT in 2002 that there is no taping at MEPs for BMT. You have to make weight at MEPs and you have to make weight AND pass the PT test at BMT or your recycled or out.

All the branches have taping, I just went through meps for the Army and was taped.

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Specializes in ICU- adults, Flight RN peds/neo.
All the branches have taping, I just went through meps for the Army and was taped.

Hi,

I just went through my Army Reserve Unit's APFT last weekend. The only people "taped" were "over the weight limit" on their Height for weight. (The unit is pretty forgiving, and weight you a 2nd time after the 2 mile run, for people on the borderline---for weight. Those who don't pass the 2nd time are then taped...).

cindy

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Specializes in MED/SURG ICU, CT ICU.

Congrats Older than Dirt!!!

Are you at OBLC now or did you just get your physical done?

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Specializes in ICU- adults, Flight RN peds/neo.
Congrats Older than Dirt!!!

Are you at OBLC now or did you just get your physical done?

Hi 2S44,

I leave for OBLC at the end of the month. I had my unit (CSH 396th)" twice a year APFT", this last drill weekend. It was not nearly as bad as I imagined it. Group pressure does "improve" your numbers! :)....now I know what is coming for OBLC apft's...

cindy

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