Does the National Guard or Reserves (for any branch) take Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners?

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I live in Texas, and I'm in a Psych NP program. I've always thought about joining the military someday, and I was curious if there were any options in terms of Reserves or National Guard for joining as a Psych NP. Thank you!

Specializes in Psychiatry.
38 minutes ago, Danish said:

My ED and ICU experience has helped quite a bit, but I am learning a lot. I work full time as an NP for the VA still and am only reserve as a flight nurse.

I think that's really cool! I'd probably follow the same path if I could, but honestly my general medical skills have long since atrophied (which I'm perfectly happy with). There's also no air base reasonably close, lol.

I encourage you to blog and share your takes! Happy flying.

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national guard goes by state, and it VARIES on what openings they have. For my state, they have no openings for nurses to begin with. Your best bet is to go reserves and give it a shot.

Reserves is federal government and they have a lot more openings. You can try contact a NG state OSM or reserves you would contact a career counselor/AMEDD recruiter.

Sorry not not too much help but I figure pitch in the knowledge I know from being a guardsmen.

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@Danish do you mind sending me a PM I wanted to ask you about being a NP and being in the Air Force reserves as rN. Thanks! It won’t allow me to Pm you or else I would hve!

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Specializes in Psychiatric mental health DNP.

In my opinion, a job is a job. And a nurse is a nurse. 

Once a nurse, always a nurse.

Nurses of any kind should make their own best decisions about their career paths and be applauded for it! We are all caregivers for the world.

Personally, I think flight nursing is quite a complex position regardless if you have experience or degree at a higher level or a different specialization. The crucial factor is that the nurse needs to be qualified for any position that they're doing and have the requisite experience and education. I might add that if one enjoys their work, they may be better at it.

I am interested in hearing more about military nurse practitioner work reserves active duty or civilian if anyone has anything to share. Thank you!

 

 

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