From RC -> AC Army Nurse Corps, Report date 3 APR 06 Madigan Army Medical Center...

Corvette Guy · Dec 24, 2005

If you care to PM me I may be able to help you more about housing, other questions, if you like. I know Tacoma fairly well.

Thanks! I may just do that in a couple of days.

:Santa1:

live4today, RN · Dec 24, 2005

LOL, roaches are never a problem & seldom seen. Yet, the ants can be a PIA. I do agree the humidity is miserable. Plus, the seasonal allergies down here is something my system can never get acclimated. Heck, I grew in Austin.

Oh, the allergies are a whole nuther story. :sniff: The constant sneezing, itching and watery eyes, the sorethroats, the earaches, the sinus headaches, the not-wanting-to-breath days for fear I'd inhale a whole new allergy. :chuckle The couple of years we lived in San Antonio were the worst two seasonal years in my whole allergic life. If it weren't for my taking Flonase and Allegra 180 EVERY SINGLE DAY that I lived there, I couldn't have stayed as long as I did. Couldn't wait to leave..........and here I am now...back in the lonestar state, but further down near the gulfcoast. And you better believe that I'm loaded up with Flonase and Allegra, too. :lol2:

SmilingBluEyes · Dec 28, 2005

allergies are a HUGE problem in WA too, BEWARE.

we don't have the most bees per capita in WA for NO reason.

stevierae · Jan 7, 2006

Just have a question about Army enlisted people who go through Army LPN training. Are they then part of the Army Nurse Corps? Do they remain enlisted, or are they officers? Are they SPCs, or what?

I was a corpsman in the Navy, in the '70s. I don't think we ever had any special programs to become LPNs (LVNs.) Wish we had. They may have them now. We did have the opportunity to challenge the LPN/LVN test for whatever state we happened to be living in after discharge, (many did so) or take tests to be awarded advanced placement in RN programs (that's what I did) in various community or state colleges.

A few years ago, I was doing some IV PCA pump (Horizon) teaching at Madigan. I was extremely impressed with all the military personnel who worked on the floors, both enlisted and RN, but particularly the enlisted. They were so professional and polished, and extremely knowledgeable and proficient. (I had to keep asking them not to call me "Ma'am," LOL!)

joyflnoyz, LPN · Jan 7, 2006

Well, on a positive note its good to hear about not hot, not humid, and very dry. Central Texas is very hot & humid from May-Oct.

Uh..make that January thru November, will ya?

Sandy

(80 Degrees plus in January is just WRONG!)

pannie · Jan 13, 2006

This Texas gal couldn't believe ROSES THE SIZE OF DINNER PLATES in and around Seattle. Nevermind SAD, I'd move there in a minute.

Corvette Guy · Jan 22, 2006

Uh..make that January thru November, will ya?
Sandy
(80 Degrees plus in January is just WRONG!)

LOL, its kind of chilly this weekend in Central Texas. In fact, history will show FEB can be very cold here in Central Texas, so next month will be more winter like.

Jedi_Iatros · Jan 25, 2006

I will be changing from the USAR to Army Active Duty, effective 03 APR 2006 the day I report to Madigan. On 23 APR, I will start phase II [12 week] of the critical care course, and remain at Madigan as a critical care nurse for the remainder of my 3 year committment.
I would definitely appreciate any info about the Tacoma, WA area in regards to housing. Plus, if any of you are active duty [Army Nurse Corps] at Madigan Army Medical Center, FT Lewis, WA, I'd really like to chat.
TIA :)
1LT, AN USAR [...until 3 Apr 06]

Good luck with the housing thing, sir. I just got back a week ago from Madigan and the base was still trying to topple down old barracks for the stationed soldiers (that's good news I guess). As for housing, Ft.Lewis built some new housing areas, but I forget what location the new houses were built at. Hopefully you'll get lucky and land one of the newer houses. Ft.Lewis isn't too bad. It's not humid or hot as Ft. Sam (Washington...duh), but it rains alot over there (they were about to break the record for most consecutive rainy days this month) and the sun rarely comes out (I personally like seeing the sun everyday). Of course, you'll be there in April and hopefully the weather will be brighter. Madigan's an hour or so away from Seattle, so that's good for some R&R (try Cowgirls :beer:).

All-in-all, I'd give Ft.Lewis a 6.5 out of 10. FORT SAM HOUSTON is the best army medical base in the U.S.

Corvette Guy · Jan 25, 2006

Good luck with the housing thing, sir. I just got back a week ago from Madigan and the base was still trying to topple down old barracks for the stationed soldiers (that's good news I guess). As for housing, Ft.Lewis built some new housing areas, but I forget what location the new houses were built at. Hopefully you'll get lucky and land one of the newer houses. Ft.Lewis isn't too bad. It's not humid or hot as Ft. Sam (Washington...duh), but it rains alot over there (they were about to break the record for most consecutive rainy days this month) and the sun rarely comes out (I personally like seeing the sun everyday). Of course, you'll be there in April and hopefully the weather will be brighter. Madigan's an hour or so away from Seattle, so that's good for some R&R (try Cowgirls :beer:).
All-in-all, I'd give Ft.Lewis a 6.5 out of 10. FORT SAM HOUSTON is the best army medical base in the U.S.

I was at Ft Lewis last summer for 21 days, and never rained a drop. Plus, only about 3 days of overcast sky, otherwise sunny.

Yes, BAMC is an awesome Medical Center. My Reserve Unit [5501st USAH] backfills BAMC. Plus, I grew up in Austin, and very familiar with San Antonio, too. However, I'm looking forward to the PNW.

bwidlits · Sep 9, 2007

Hi, I received accurate information from you before OBC. That was over a year ago! Now I also am off to Madigan for the first time. Can you give me some assistance with the developmental support form.. Is there anything else I should have ready?

Thanks

bwidlits · Sep 9, 2007

Preparing for first visit to Madigan: Should I have Dev. Support form ready? Will it be all ACUS or do I need any scrubs? What shift can I expect, and how much free time will be have. Any thing else that I should know????

Thanks, bobbi

DanznRN, RN · Sep 10, 2007

Not sure if you saw it, but under his name it says "banned." Not sure what happened, he was always a straight shooter as far as info goes, good luck. Wondered what happened to him? Says last activity was Feb, 4 2007.

LCDR Dan