Have they made quota for Army Reserves?

Waiting_28 · May 19, 2009

Here's my dilema...I was accepted for the ANCP program, but I am afriaid that active duty is not right for me for now because I am afraid I won't get the critical care experience in the Army and be able to apply for the Anesthesia program. I want to serve my country, that's for sure. But, I just don't know if the Reserves or Active Duty is right for me now. I am going to be finishing my BSN this Fall (3 semesters total) and will be done in August of 2010. IF I take the ANCP deal, I will then commission and leave, not knowing what speciality I will get. With the Reserves, I can finish my BSN while serving my country, then if I choose, I can go active duty. I don't know what to do guys/gals. Any advice? Thanks!

Renee4christ · May 20, 2009

Here's my dilema...I was accepted for the ANCP program, but I am afriaid that active duty is not right for me for now because I am afraid I won't get the critical care experience in the Army and be able to apply for the Anesthesia program. I want to serve my country, that's for sure. But, I just don't know if the Reserves or Active Duty is right for me now. I am going to be finishing my BSN this Fall (3 semesters total) and will be done in August of 2010. IF I take the ANCP deal, I will then commission and leave, not knowing what speciality I will get. With the Reserves, I can finish my BSN while serving my country, then if I choose, I can go active duty. I don't know what to do guys/gals. Any advice? Thanks!

Hey there waiting! you sound like you are in the situation I was in early last year. I initially was going for the ANCP, but was not too comfortable with the idea of starting my contract while in nursing school. I thought it would be an added stress for me knowing that I would owe back so much money before I even started with the army. I think it's a great program though. I had forgot about the army until a few months ago when I decided to just get my application in, get accepted, and then go through OBLC and start everything when I actually graduate May 2010. That is what I am in the process of doing right now and I recommend that to you based on your post. You don't have to do any training (besides your physical) and you would be accepted with everything dependent on you passing the NCLEX and then you would be off. I like this option a lot better for myself, and I still have something to look foward to. If active duty is not what you want, you can always get a civilian job in critical care and do that for a couple of years and then come in active duty once you have that experience and you should be able to come over with your identifier of critical care. On the other hand, you can come in active duty right after you graduate, work med-surg for a year, and then take the critical care course in the army and be guaranteed to work in it. You do have options here.. Really just depends on if you want to start off with med-surg first.

Waiting_28 · May 20, 2009

Hey there waiting! you sound like you are in the situation I was in early last year. I initially was going for the ANCP, but was not too comfortable with the idea of starting my contract while in nursing school. I thought it would be an added stress for me knowing that I would owe back so much money before I even started with the army. I think it's a great program though. I had forgot about the army until a few months ago when I decided to just get my application in, get accepted, and then go through OBLC and start everything when I actually graduate May 2010. That is what I am in the process of doing right now and I recommend that to you based on your post. You don't have to do any training (besides your physical) and you would be accepted with everything dependent on you passing the NCLEX and then you would be off. I like this option a lot better for myself, and I still have something to look foward to. If active duty is not what you want, you can always get a civilian job in critical care and do that for a couple of years and then come in active duty once you have that experience and you should be able to come over with your identifier of critical care. On the other hand, you can come in active duty right after you graduate, work med-surg for a year, and then take the critical care course in the army and be guaranteed to work in it. You do have options here.. Really just depends on if you want to start off with med-surg first.

Thanks Renee4christ! I have my ADN now, graduated last week. Was then accepted into the ANCP as I had worked on my packet the entire spring semester. I will be taking my NCLEX next month and starting work as a Med/Surg nurse. I chose the Med/Surg route because I am taking 3 summer classes and then 3 more straight semesters to finish my BSN. I am considering the Reserves because I can get a feel for the Army way of life. I can afford the BSN program because I will be making a little more money as an RN. So, the ANCP money would be money I could put away. However, I'm just not sure about active duty right now, with being so busy the next year and a half. I want to serve, but can't figure out if maybe the reserves would be the best route for now. Confused guys, it's a big decision. Thanks again for everything, this site is a lifesaver.

BSN317 · May 20, 2009

Hello Waiting_28:

I am not sure where you are located, or if that even relates to this issue. But, I was also interested in the Army reserves. I went and spoke with a recruiter and all, but he told me I could go ahead and do all the paperwork, but I couldnt come in until October...Im thinking that this had something to do with te fiscal year or something? I cant remember his exact wording I kinda blocked out everything after that!

olderthandirt2 · May 22, 2009

Talk to a healthcare recruiter. I think the quota is filled for this fiscal year.....october starts anew.

But you need recruitment advice concerning Active or Reserve.

I can tell you from personal experience that switching from reserve to active Army takes MANY months to complete.

good luck,

c.

jeckrn, BSN, RN · May 22, 2009

Takes just as long to switch from Reserves to Active as it does to join the Reserves. You have to go thru the whole process again. That might seem like it is not needed, but can understand why. Out of every 99 good soldiers there might be one bad one. If that one is bad in the reserves why would active want them? This is a way to make sure that they are not accessed to active. Congradulations on graduating, Good luck with your up coming school.