Did anyone ever get this letter and still become a military nurse?

[pixie0413]

I received a letter from the Army stating that I was selected as an alternate for army nursing. This has been my dream since entering nursing school to work as a nurse in the military. My recruiter tells me it is simply a matter of time and waiting for a position to open up and that would get me in. My friend, a Captain told me to try calling Fort Houston to locate a recruiter and see if they could recommend anything to help get me a position.

I graduated this past December and earned my nursing license in March.

The only good news is that some OR positions opened and my recruiter said she's putting me in for that position. I confused if that is another board... or if I have to keep reapplying each time a position comes available.

Anyway, I guess I'm simply looking for encouraging words. I would hate to give up prematurely but perhaps it would be better if I had experience on my packet.

Thanks.

[caliotter3]

If you get a job offer by all means take it. The sooner you start your career, the better off you will be. Best wishes on getting started somewhere. There are lots of people who would like to be as close to a job as you seem to be at this point.

[pixie0413]

Well, I did sorta get an answer to my question. I spoke with a navy recruiter yesterday and she told me that without experience it is very difficult to get accepted into any military branch right now. My only hope is to keep trying as well as look locally for jobs because getting experience on my application would help me out more than anything else at this point.

The annoying part is that everyone wants experience in today's economy because they can get it with so many nurses returning to work.

I'll just cross my fingers and hope as well as try to write better cover letters. Maybe I can convince someone to give me a chance. I'm a nurse. Now I just need the chance to work.

[jeckrn, BSN, RN]

Sounds like you where put on a order of merit list. If so it will only be a matter of time, more then likely the next fiscal year which starts in October. Does the letter have a time frame on it for how long it is good for? As far as the OR opening generally you have to have 1 year of experience before you can attend this and the other schools the Army offers like ER, ICU etc. You need to get with your recruiter and find out about what your status will be for the next FY.