RN with history of Asthma/OCD...Will this disqualify me from Navy Nurse Corps?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Nurse Leadership, LTC, Nurse Education.

Hello,

I am an RN with my B.S. It has always been my dream to serve in the Nurse Corps! Unfortunately, I have a history of Asthma. I use an inhaler maybe once a year now. I didn't acquire the Dx of Asthma until I was an adult. It came on after I started smoking and when I quit smoking (3yrs later) it pretty much went away. It's been about 3 years since I quit. Also, after I had my son I developed GAD/OCD. I mainly had fears of losing my mind. They put me on Zoloft and that took away my symptoms.. Then I abruptly quit taking my pills because I felt so much better (stupid idea!). This caused me to get so anxious that I would pretty much black out, so I VOLUNTARILY checked myself in to the hospital. I stayed there 5 days, but I could have gone home sooner. The psychiatrists told me that I wasn't crazy, I just stopped taking me Zoloft to quickly. Anyways, after I went on a Rx again, the doc slowly tapered me off of it. I went through Cognitive Behavioral therapy and I have been off my medicine for 3 years now, with no OCD or Anxiety WHATSOEVER! I know that a history of both of these conditions can automatically disqualify somebody from serving in the Navy. My questions are:

1. What are the chances of having both of these conditions waived if I have been symptom free and medicine free for 3 years?

2. Are my chances of having them waived higher since I would be going into the nurse corps as a DCO? (I was told that they are more likely to waive conditions if entering a demanding field)

3. Is there a rule that says after a certain number of years of being symptom free they can no longer disqualify me? Since I'm 25 now, I could wait another 10 years to join if it's necessary.

4. Is there a difference in qualifications with Active duty vs. Reserve?

I really want to serve my country and the world. I am an excellent nurse with a high GPA. I am willing to do anything and everything to get into the Nurse Corps. I am just afraid that my unfortunate health history is going to prevent me from it. I would appreciate any honest advice or tips that could help me become a Navy nurse :) Thank you! Lisa :nurse:

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

As people in this forum are fond of saying, if you don't at least ask, then the answer will always be no. :) I think if you have documentation that demonstrates that you are symptom-free in both areas, you might be able to get a waiver. You will probably have to undergo extra testing at MEPS, like pulmonary function tests. Have you contacted a healthcare recruiter? Make sure you don't just speak to an enlisted recruiter -- the specialized healthcare recruiters can better answer your questions. Good luck, and welcome to allnurses!

Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

I agree with Lunah but it will be tough which is just a sign of the times with downsizing of the military. The medical requirements are the same for active & reserve.

Specializes in Med/Surg, Nurse Leadership, LTC, Nurse Education.

Thank you both for the advice and answers to my questions! It's nice to know that there are Healthcare Recruiters to answer my questions instead of regular recruiters :) I am hopeful for the future. I will just work on establishing a good paper trail regarding my recovery from Asthma/OCD. Maybe that will help :) Thanks again!

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