Critical Care RN - Army Reserve or Air Guard?

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Hi All,

I am going through the initial process now of applying to the military, specifically Army Reserve. I recently completed medical clearance etc and now my packet is going in front of the board some time in July I was told. I have been dealing with a medical recruiter & I feel most of what I have been told correlates with this awesome amount of info you guys have provided within this section.

I am a critical care RN with 6 going on 7 years of ICU/trauma experience. I have CCRN, trauma qualifications, etc and I am working on my ACNP, about half way through. I said to my recruiter I don't want to get stuck at a hospital, I really want to be a part of a FSU, really close to the action or something similar. That being said, I realize that the Army will use me how they see fit. This is the question that really hasn't been answered by the recruiter, all she said was you have to apply? The unit that the recruiter said that has an open, 66H8A slot is located in Hobart, IN and this is a bit of a distance from me. I also asked if there were places in Indianapolis and she said she didn't know, she'll "look into it" as of yet haven't heard. I've tried to look the Hobart unit up and really don't get much info at all and also any Indy units. Do you guys have an input/comments etc on this.

Another question. A bit of a compounding one. The local ANG base where I live contacted me recently about a RN position, long story short, I went in to meet the Maj I would work for. Super nice guy, he introduced me to a bunch of people who were all very nice as well. But the RN position is more of a clinic setup. It's focus is to keep the pilots/crews flying and working etc but the base has the A-10's, I love the A-10's! They are very interested and pretty much indicated that if I perform well in the next interview I pretty much have the position.

The time to get to the ANG base from my house is about 10min, the time to get to Hobart, IN is about 2.5hrs. I don't know all of the opportunities etc between the two.

Anyway, I want to serve our country and the troops, I'm dedicated to that. Any input I welcome. Thanks in advance.

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Have you thought about going active duty at all? Sorry, that's my only contribution, I'm not sure it's helpful. :) The Army has reduced its recruiting needs for active duty, but I believe 66H8As are still desired! I'm a 66HM5, and I can tell you that while deployments are decreasing, they still send us. I'm deployed with a couple of fabulous 8As right now as part of an FST. We also have a Reservist CRNA and reservist orthopod here, so Reservists still go as well. Good luck, whatever you decide to do!

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. I have actually, but certain family commitments keep me where I am. I really would like to though. How did you get placed in the current FST you are in? Is this FST a part of your main unit in the US? Just curious on how it all works etc. I have no military experience at all. How long are you gone for?

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

I am not usually part of this FST; I work full-time in an Army ER in Georgia. The Army uses something called PROFIS -- the professional filler system -- to place nurses, CRNAs, and physicians with deployed medical units that are missing some of those elements. I was selected to be the PROFIS ER nurse for this FST. My branch manager knew I wanted to deploy when I had talked to him last year, so apparently my name was put in for this assignment when it came up. I will be in Afghanistan until March 2014; it's a nine-month deployment, which is pretty standard for nurses right now.

Specializes in ER, ICU.

Not trying to poach you but the AF has CCAT (Critical care air transport) teams which are used to transport the more critically injured patients from downrange to destinations in CONUS. I don't know where they are all located but Air Guard deployments are 4 months, much easier to fit into your life. A CCAT team is a RN, RT, MD and they care for 1-3 patients, usually intubated. They transport them from hospital to hospital via Air Evac and ground ambulance. If you message me I can give you a contact with our local (WY) CCAT team.

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

It's not poaching since there is "Air Guard" in the initial subject line! Lol

Great info LunahRN, really appreciate it. Most importantly thank you and be safe. As I said, it's a whole new world and I have no idea, lol.

I guess I do not have the ability to PM yet based on their rules, so if you can, PM me. Appreciate it

Not trying to poach you but the AF has CCAT (Critical care air transport) teams which are used to transport the more critically injured patients from downrange to destinations in CONUS. I don't know where they are all located but Air Guard deployments are 4 months, much easier to fit into your life. A CCAT team is a RN, RT, MD and they care for 1-3 patients, usually intubated. They transport them from hospital to hospital via Air Evac and ground ambulance. If you message me I can give you a contact with our local (WY) CCAT team.

I guess I do not have the ability to PM yet based on their rules, so if you can, PM me. Appreciate it

Specializes in Trauma.

You stated you do not want to be in a clinic setting. Afghanistan is winding down now, fewer deployments. Depending on how long it takes to get your paperwork through, when your attached unit was last deployed, and your initial training over you may never be forward deployed. When the deployments stop you will be in a clinic setting every drill weekend. Giving immunizations, blood draws, medical record checks, physicals, etc.

You stated you do not want to be in a clinic setting. Afghanistan is winding down now, fewer deployments. Depending on how long it takes to get your paperwork through, when your attached unit was last deployed, and your initial training over you may never be forward deployed. When the deployments stop you will be in a clinic setting every drill weekend. Giving immunizations, blood draws, medical record checks, physicals, etc.

Thanks for the info, what I mean is will I have options. But I understand and it makes complete sense, especially with things winding down. In your experience is training offered if you ask for it or is it more on an as needed basis. Again, the answer I got from the recruiter was, you have to apply. I'm also guessing it depends on your base commander??

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