FY2020 Army Nurse Corps

[ReconMedic]

Hello!

My name is Dustin and I thought it would be a good idea to create a topic for those who are applying for the FY2020 Army Nurse board! A little about me; I am prior service Army enlisted with four years on active duty as a 19D (Cavalry Scout) and four years in the reserve as a 68W (Combat Medic). Recently, in December of last year I graduated with my BSN from a highly reputable school in Texas. In January of this year I started my new job in a Cardiothoracic and Transplant ICU, but in the process of applying to the 66H (Med-Surge Nurse) position with the Army. Per my recruiter, this is essentially the standard for nurses who have less than two years of RN experience and who will attend the Army’s Nurse Residency Program.

I’m hoping that my year of ICU experience and my CCRN certification at the time right before leaving for training will be an advantage to changing over to the Critical Care Nurse AOC (66S) as soon as I can. ? If it wasn’t for my yearning to return to the Army and wear the uniform again, I would just wait until I have over two years of civilian experience and apply to the 66S position. My desire to continue to serve is stronger than my AOC, 200%!

Please, use this to connect with others and share your experience! I look forward in embarking on this journey and hearing from others.

[ReconMedic, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Just an update for everyone…. Still awaiting commissioning orders ?? Selected in the April board of 2020 for 66S and still sitting on my hands (there has been a lot of back and forth between my recruiters and the Office of the Surgeon General regarding a medical waiver).

I have heard that some people take up to two years to finally get orders and start training. Just had no idea it would happen with me LOL. 

[RobdRN]

On 9/10/2021 at 2:00 PM, ReconMedic said:

Just an update for everyone…. Still awaiting commissioning orders ?? Selected in the April board of 2020 for 66S and still sitting on my hands (there has been a lot of back and forth between my recruiters and the Office of the Surgeon General regarding a medical waiver).

I have heard that some people take up to two years to finally get orders and start training. Just had no idea it would happen with me LOL. 

How's your packet coming along? My process took just a lil over 6 months to join Army Reserve as 66E.  Started the process  April 2019, and got my order Nov 2019.  Its really taking you a long time to get commission.  Are you going Active or Reserve?  Which unit?  Good luck to you. 

[ReconMedic, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

2 minutes ago, RobdRN said:

How's your packet coming along? My process took just a lil over 6 months to join Army Reserve as 66E.  Started the process  April 2019, and got my order Nov 2019.  Its really taking you a long time to get commission.  Are you going Active or Reserve?  Which unit?  Good luck to you. 

I am going active. I won’t know my unit until I get my orders. My medical waiver is causing a lot of delay in my process. 

[Ope Lola, ADN, BSN]

On 9/10/2021 at 5:00 PM, ReconMedic said:

Just an update for everyone…. Still awaiting commissioning orders ?? Selected in the April board of 2020 for 66S and still sitting on my hands (there has been a lot of back and forth between my recruiters and the Office of the Surgeon General regarding a medical waiver).

I have heard that some people take up to two years to finally get orders and start training. Just had no idea it would happen with me LOL. 

Still awaiting commissioning too. I do not know why it is taking such a long period of time. However, what exercises are you guys doing to keep in shape? Did you join a gym or hire a trainer? Wouldn't want to be kicked out due to non optimal physical exercise, would we? Share our thoughts please

[jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA]

If you can do the PT test you'll be fine.  If not, you'll be eventually kicked out. You can Google the requirements.

[ReconMedic, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Hello everyone. I started this thread over 2 years ago and wanted to provide an update to anyone who is still in the process, or to those reading this thread who are contemplating direct commissioning.
Last week I finally was able to sign my contract and take the OPAT (selected April 2020 board). Apparently the recruiting stations no longer have you sign a DA71 (oath of office form) and commission active duty officers. This will be done at DCC or BOLC…

My scroll was completed prior to the April 2020 board and only reflects my civilian experience from that time, so I will be entering Active Duty as a 2LT (I technically have enough civilian experience to enter as a 1LT, but don’t want to make this process any longer by submitting another scroll) I hope that when they backdate my date of rank that I’ll be pushed to pin 1LT relatively quickly. However, I am a flight nurse now and not sure if that will count towards my critical care experience….

This has been a long long process with doubts of this ever happening. If this is a goal of yours and you find yourself in my shoes, be persistent and it will happen for you. Not sure how much longer I will need to wait for actual orders, but at least I have signed my contract and secure a sweet sign on bonus. Being an officer in the military (regardless of AOC) is a great honor. You must be vigilant and persistent in achieving goals for yourself and your team. I hope I have shown this during my direct commissioning process… it’s not over yet though! If anyone can shed some light on what I can expect next, I would greatly appreciate it! My recruiters are not the best recourses and I feel, at this stage, it is out of their hands and wouldn’t know much anyway. 

[HamRN_13, MSN, RN]

ReconMedic said:

Hello everyone. I started this thread over 2 years ago and wanted to provide an update to anyone who is still in the process, or to those reading this thread who are contemplating direct commissioning.
Last week I finally was able to sign my contract and take the OPAT (selected April 2020 board). Apparently the recruiting stations no longer have you sign a DA71 (oath of office form) and commission active duty officers. This will be done at DCC or BOLC...

My scroll was completed prior to the April 2020 board and only reflects my civilian experience from that time, so I will be entering Active Duty as a 2LT (I technically have enough civilian experience to enter as a 1LT, but don't want to make this process any longer by submitting another scroll) I hope that when they backdate my date of rank that I'll be pushed to pin 1LT relatively quickly. However, I am a flight nurse now and not sure if that will count towards my critical care experience....

This has been a long long process with doubts of this ever happening. If this is a goal of yours and you find yourself in my shoes, be persistent and it will happen for you. Not sure how much longer I will need to wait for actual orders, but at least I have signed my contract and secure a sweet sign on bonus. Being an officer in the military (regardless of AOC) is a great honor. You must be vigilant and persistent in achieving goals for yourself and your team. I hope I have shown this during my direct commissioning process... it's not over yet though! If anyone can shed some light on what I can expect next, I would greatly appreciate it! My recruiters are not the best recourses and I feel, at this stage, it is out of their hands and wouldn't know much anyway. 

Congrats man! I know this thread it old but I am happy to announce I was finally selected and waivers have been approved after applying for the past 4 years for a 66S position. As you mention above, it's been a long process with many doubts and many emotions. I just need to wait for my scroll to be released and for security clearance. I know that's another couple months of waiting but I feel like I'm close to the finish line aka signing that contract and taking my oath. I wish everyone the best and don't give up if this is really what you want to do!! 

[Nurse_Boo, ASN, BSN, RN]

ReconMedic said:

Hello everyone. I started this thread over 2 years ago and wanted to provide an update to anyone who is still in the process, or to those reading this thread who are contemplating direct commissioning.
Last week I finally was able to sign my contract and take the OPAT (selected April 2020 board). Apparently the recruiting stations no longer have you sign a DA71 (oath of office form) and commission active duty officers. This will be done at DCC or BOLC...

My scroll was completed prior to the April 2020 board and only reflects my civilian experience from that time, so I will be entering Active Duty as a 2LT (I technically have enough civilian experience to enter as a 1LT, but don't want to make this process any longer by submitting another scroll) I hope that when they backdate my date of rank that I'll be pushed to pin 1LT relatively quickly. However, I am a flight nurse now and not sure if that will count towards my critical care experience....

This has been a long long process with doubts of this ever happening. If this is a goal of yours and you find yourself in my shoes, be persistent and it will happen for you. Not sure how much longer I will need to wait for actual orders, but at least I have signed my contract and secure a sweet sign on bonus. Being an officer in the military (regardless of AOC) is a great honor. You must be vigilant and persistent in achieving goals for yourself and your team. I hope I have shown this during my direct commissioning process... it's not over yet though! If anyone can shed some light on what I can expect next, I would greatly appreciate it! My recruiters are not the best recourses and I feel, at this stage, it is out of their hands and wouldn't know much anyway. 

Hey there! 

I know it has been a super long arduous process, but if you can get another scroll, it might be advantageous. I'm not sure how close you are to cutting orders but a lot of the army is hurry up and wait anyway. I say all that to say, I initially had six years of experience when I had my scroll but by the time I got orders, it was eight. I came in as a first lieutenant (which was fine) and was told I would promote within a year based on my three years of constructive credit. However, what I did not get informed on was that I still need to have a year of "time in service" plus the time in grade in order to qualify for last year's board. So now I'm going out for the board this March. 
 

I had a colleague who had two years of ICU experience and came in as a second lieutenant, but promoted as soon as we arrived to our duty station. Ironically, he is now after being here since September 2021, in his promotion window for Captain so we will be going before the same board. He was only a 1LT for a year and some change. So the pendulum could swing either way. If you were offered a sign on bonus as an ICU nurse, you may be OK but a lot of contractual things will need to be ironed out BEFORE you leave for DCC or you will just be stuck with whatever is on that contract.

[HamRN_13, MSN, RN]

Nurse_Boo said:

Hey there! 

I know it has been a super long arduous process, but if you can get another scroll, it might be advantageous. I'm not sure how close you are to cutting orders but a lot of the army is hurry up and wait anyway. I say all that to say, I initially had six years of experience when I had my scroll but by the time I got orders, it was eight. I came in as a first lieutenant (which was fine) and was told I would promote within a year based on my three years of constructive credit. However, what I did not get informed on was that I still need to have a year of "time in service" plus the time in grade in order to qualify for last year's board. So now I'm going out for the board this March. 
 

I had a colleague who had two years of ICU experience and came in as a second lieutenant, but promoted as soon as we arrived to our duty station. Ironically, he is now after being here since September 2021, in his promotion window for Captain so we will be going before the same board. He was only a 1LT for a year and some change. So the pendulum could swing either way. If you were offered a sign on bonus as an ICU nurse, you may be OK but a lot of contractual things will need to be ironed out BEFORE you leave for DCC or you will just be stuck with whatever is on that contract.

Hello there Nurse_Boo,

I saw that it took about two years to receive your orders? Wow, that really is the epitome of hurry up and wait!! Is that pretty typical or were there other factors that caused it to take that long? I just got selected for February boards and awaiting scroll release and security clearance. How long did it take for those things to go through for you if you don't mind sharing? Thank you! 

[Nurse_Boo, ASN, BSN, RN]

HamRN_13 said:

Hello there Nurse_Boo,

I saw that it took about two years to receive your orders? Wow, that really is the epitome of hurry up and wait!! Is that pretty typical or were there other factors that caused it to take that long? I just got selected for February boards and awaiting scroll release and security clearance. How long did it take for those things to go through for you if you don't mind sharing? Thank you! 

Hey! 
 

The process took about 2 years overall but I commissioned Dec 2020 and got orders April 2021 (I was told January ?). I did have a couple of waivers to get, but just make sure you call and follow up after about 30-45 days bc stuff will definitely sit on a desk in the Army unless follow up is done (respectfully follow up). Ironically my scroll was pretty quick. I got that before my whole packet was even approved. Security clearance shouldn't hold you up as long as it's started. Once you get the phone call from the investigator it will speed things up unless more clarity is needed for something, or a sign off from a commander. That might take an extra week or two, but it will be finalized after you are already in. It takes a bit. 

[ERArmyRNND]

tacoma_jim said:

I've read an article recently about how the military (all branches) are planning on reducing their total healthcare workforce, everyone from MDs, PAs, NPs, RNs, and techs. Has anyone heard or actually witnessed this occurring? I hope this is not the case as I am interested in joining the Reserves in the near future but am now concerned about the availability of healthcare positions or what their current needs are.

It really seems to change constantly so I would apply anyway. I'm an RN in Army Nat Guard.