FY2020 Army Nurse Corps

Specialties Government

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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.

Specializes in Acute Dialysis; CVOR.
On 5/23/2020 at 1:43 AM, murse66s said:

Hello everyone,

- Applied for 66S Army Reserve

- Got selected in May 2020 board with pending physicals (I had some surgery prior, but my medical waivers were approved/cleared. I still need to go to MEPS. It was closed due to COVID crisis)

1. From this point, what should I expect to happen?

2. I also signed up for bonus (25K per year for 4 years) & HPLRP. How will this be provided? Will I get a yearly 25K while getting my HPLRP throughout 3 years?

3. I live in New York City and do not have a car. Does anyone stationed in NY know where the reserve units are? If I get my unit far enough that I have to rent a car or fly, would the Army reimburse you for it?

I would appreciate any help! Thank you!!

I was commissioned in Feb for the reserves...still haven’t drilled and pretty much not getting any help moving forward. That being said I can tell you 2 things:

1. The next step is MEPS. You won’t get any movement till that’s done. If you’re 40 or older, fast that morning for labs....no recruiter seems to know this. Also make sure you get an EKG before you leave ( 2 things needed for 40 and older) you will not move any further without these.

2. You do not get the special pay and loan repayment at the same time. Each has their own time commitment. Special pay or the bonus is paid out after orders are issued ( this took a while for me...may be due to COVID) but I didn’t get orders till March-ish.....and my bonus just paid out maybe last week. You will then get the bonus every year on or around your anniversary.

Loan repayment is paid out AFTER each year of service. This is not the same as the bonus. Think of the bonus as paying you to work a year while the loan repayment is paying you because you put in a year.

You are supposed to pick how many years you are willing to sign up for both. I did 4 for special pay and 3 for loan repayment I think. You also choose which you want first, I chose special pay. For me, I will receive my bonus yearly on my anniversary for 4 years. THEN at the end of the 4th year I should receive my first loan repayment (because I put in a year of work) and then at the end of every year of service after that till my commitment is met.

Specializes in ICU, Neuro ICU.

Just got the worst news.. my waiver was disapproved. It made all the way “up to the top” as my recruiter said but in the end it wasn’t approved. Good luck to you the rest of you, I hope to be in your shoes one day. Guess I am going back to school next year for sure now ?.

Specializes in Acute Dialysis; CVOR.
On 6/17/2019 at 1:12 AM, Nursey Jola said:

Are Letter of Recommendations required along with statement of motivation? My recruiter hasn't even asked me for those yet. I've so far only turned in my CV and filled out the questionnaire for background check. Is there a particular format to those? Maybe I should start working on them while I wait for a response from my recruiter.

They have to submit your CV first to see if you even get approved to apply. Your job description and experience has to meet the minimum requirements for the role. Example, I had been a nurse 5 years but I was going in as periop so my CV couldn't be submitted till I had my 1 year Perioperative experience. nothing happens till you get that approval. some recruiters gather all the stuff during that time, some wait to make sure time isn't wasted.

Specializes in Cardiothoracic and Transplant ICU.
4 minutes ago, HamRN_13 said:

Just got the worst news.. my waiver was disapproved. It made all the way “up to the top” as my recruiter said but in the end it wasn’t approved. Good luck to you the rest of you, I hope to be in your shoes one day. Guess I am going back to school next year for sure now ?.

I’m so sorry to hear that... what was your waiver for? Have you looked into the Air Force and Navy? If you start now, you’ll be able to send a packet to the September Air Force boards.

Specializes in ICU, Neuro ICU.

I had originally tried the the Air Force back in 2018 and as soon they knew I would need waivers, they literally were like “our batallion commander is not approving any waivers right now”. The Army was more understanding and worked with me and got me the waivers I needed but here we are. Basically, before nursing school I got in trouble and got a DUI and two drug charges (the drug charges were expunged but of course still need to be reported). So I needed a moral waiver for that. I was selected by the board back in February and was just awaiting for this waiver approval but yeah...

I will try the Navy, but I was really hoping the Army would take me. I’m super bummed, but I’m not giving up! Someone will want this Master’s prepared critical care murse right?! ?

Specializes in Cardiothoracic and Transplant ICU.
19 minutes ago, HamRN_13 said:

I had originally tried the the Air Force back in 2018 and as soon they knew I would need waivers, they literally were like “our batallion commander is not approving any waivers right now”. The Army was more understanding and worked with me and got me the waivers I needed but here we are. Basically, before nursing school I got in trouble and got a DUI and two drug charges (the drug charges were expunged but of course still need to be reported). So I needed a moral waiver for that. I was selected by the board back in February and was just awaiting for this waiver approval but yeah...

I will try the Navy, but I was really hoping the Army would take me. I’m super bummed, but I’m not giving up! Someone will want this Master’s prepared critical care murse right?! ?

Hey man, good people mess up sometimes. I had to get a moral waiver myself for an arrest back when I was 17 (I had to get the same waiver when I enlisted in 2011).

Don’t give up! My goal is to serve again, but if I can’t, I want to at least try every avenue so I won’t live in regret when I am older. Maybe go back to school for CRNA, ACNP, or PA and let some time pass and reapply. It sounds like you’ve got great experience and education. Stay healthy and away from the wrong side of the law and I am sure you’ll be able to get in at a later time.

Specializes in ICU, Neuro ICU.
4 hours ago, ReconMedic said:

Hey man, good people mess up sometimes. I had to get a moral waiver myself for an arrest back when I was 17 (I had to get the same waiver when I enlisted in 2011).

Don’t give up! My goal is to serve again, but if I can’t, I want to at least try every avenue so I won’t live in regret when I am older. Maybe go back to school for CRNA, ACNP, or PA and let some time pass and reapply. It sounds like you’ve got great experience and education. Stay healthy and away from the wrong side of the law and I am sure you’ll be able to get in at a later time.

Thanks man I needed that! Just called my Navy recruiter (had started a packet as a back up plan, which I’m glad I did!) and we are aiming for next fiscal year 2021 in October for Navy Reserve. In the meantime applying for CRNA school. Thanks all for the advice and encouragement!

Specializes in Cardiothoracic and Transplant ICU.

Found out yesterday that my medical waiver has been approved and everything is a go! Recruiter said now that everything has been approved, they’re just waiting for my packet to drop down in their system and for my scroll to be released so they can commission me!!

Specializes in ICU, Neuro ICU.

CONGRATS dude!! Got denied by the Navy as well, but still applying for CRNA school and going to try to get into STRAP. Fingers crossed!

On 8/26/2020 at 7:45 AM, ReconMedic said:

Found out yesterday that my medical waiver has been approved and everything is a go! Recruiter said now that everything has been approved, they’re just waiting for my packet to drop down in their system and for my scroll to be released so they can commission me!!

Awesome! CONGRATS! I’m still waiting on orders! Commissioned in May. Word just went up to HRC to finally get me orders. We will see how much longer it takes, but I’m super nervous LOL 

Specializes in Cardiothoracic and Transplant ICU.

 

9 minutes ago, vnj2004 said:

Awesome! CONGRATS! I’m still waiting on orders! Commissioned in May. Word just went up to HRC to finally get me orders. We will see how much longer it takes, but I’m super nervous LOL 

Thank you! Since you're further in the process than I am, what does "scroll release" mean exactly? I was told that my scroll was already approved awhile back when I was waiting for this waiver to clear, and now I have to wait for it's release? haha.

Specializes in Med Surg.

OK, so I just finished my BSN. I have 9 Years prior service in Marine Corps. I have been an RN since 2017, LPN in 2015. I have worked Med Surg since an LPN and currently in Med Surg. The Air Force and Navy have basically told me to start working ICU because there are no Med Surg slots for FY 21. Anyone have any information on this. Navy is my first choice, as ill care for Marines, but Army would be my go to if they have Med Surg slots. I am currently waiting for a Medical Recruiter to call me today.

 

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