after all that...I amy not be able to maintain my commission!

Trauma Columnist · Feb 14, 2007

Jen - is a waiver possible? Do you have to have the license in hand or is the fact that you passed the NCLEX enough?

Gennaver, MSN · Feb 14, 2007

Jen - is a waiver possible? Do you have to have the license in hand or is the fact that you passed the NCLEX enough?

Hi,

edit to say: thank you TraumaRUs for reading and asking.

License must be in hand.

I registered today to add the FNP program class to my spring schedule.

If the Army allows me to extend my OBLC attendance from January to next Fall then it would mean that I could finance my cost of attendance at DePaul and to continue with a near full time schedule towards FNP completion. This also means that I may seek gainful employment as an RN for the year and also earn RN experience.

I do not think that I would go in to the ANC as an FNP though, because I would merely have the coursework and clinical done, (hopefully would sit for the Licensure test but, I will not need that license to enter the ANC, just need to RN one).

If I could avoid sitting here twiddling my thumbs and going into collection for student loans, rent and bills as well as complete the FNP coursework I would rather.

My other main goal is to not have to relinquesh my commission.

Gen

p.s. hoping

caliotter3 · Feb 14, 2007

I'm sorry to hear about your dilemma. You should immediately contact your recruiter/advisors and explain all, find out about getting a request for waiver in asap. I would think that they would be willing to work with you on this. In the meantime your plan to continue as a student and thus delay your student loan status is a good one. Your statement about not being able to work UAP perplexes me though. In my state, at least, anybody can work beneath their license status. RNs hold CNA jobs all the time (for second income or while they are climbing the ladder (foreign grads going from one test to another)). So unless it is different in Illinois, I wouldn't preclude a UAP job while you are in limbo or semi-limbo. It would not be much of an income, but it would enable you to meet the rent while you wait. Good luck and hope everything works out.

Gennaver, MSN · Feb 14, 2007

I'm sorry to hear about your dilemma. You should immediately contact your recruiter/advisors and explain all, find out about getting a request for waiver in asap. I would think that they would be willing to work with you on this. In the meantime your plan to continue as a student and thus delay your student loan status is a good one.
... Good luck and hope everything works out.

Thank you very much for the reply Caliotter3,

I have indeed sent and email to my recruiter and I am pretty sure that he will try to work with me on this. I requested my OBLC date, (which he told me this Tuesday I would not even know until December) from potential January until June 08.

I have heard about the inability in IL to work as UAP once we take and pass NCLEX. I will look into it further to "see" it in writing.

Thank you very much. I am releived to have a plan and a progressive one at that.

Phew, now here is to hoping it all works out. Ah, the joys of life in flux, eh? :)

Gen

DanznRN, RN · Feb 15, 2007

If you take/ pass the NCLEX work as a nurse. The employer doesn't need to know that it will be for only 6 months, don't waste the license. If you do go to work as a nurse and then have to quit after 6 months and the employer trys to pull something on you, you have the Solddiers and Sailors Act that protects those going on Active Duty. I worked for someone for 4 month when I came back on active duty, she got mad, I showed her the act and that was it. Also based on the act they have to maintain a position in their company for up to 5 years from when you leave. Lastly, come to the Navy, you don't have to have license in hand. Heck, you don't even have to have taken the test when you get commissioned, just have to have a date on when you are taking it. We have Officer Indoctrination classes every month or so. Let me know if I can help.

LCDR(s) Dan

caliotter3 · Feb 15, 2007

Hey DanznRN! Confine your stealin' to getting the football from Army at the Army-Navy game!! Ha ha!

Gennaver, MSN · Feb 15, 2007

If you take/ pass the NCLEX work as a nurse. The employer doesn't need to know that it will be for only 6 months, don't waste the license. If you do go to work as a nurse and then have to quit after 6 months and the employer trys to pull something on you, you have the Solddiers and Sailors Act that protects those going on Active Duty. I worked for someone for 4 month when I came back on active duty, she got mad, I showed her the act and that was it. Also based on the act they have to maintain a position in their company for up to 5 years from when you leave. Lastly, come to the Navy, you don't have to have license in hand. Heck, you don't even have to have taken the test when you get commissioned, just have to have a date on when you are taking it. We have Officer Indoctrination classes every month or so. Let me know if I can help.
LCDR(s) Dan

Hello,

Yes, I will definately pursue work and just in one day have two hospitals in mind to apply for.

Although I did try to go the Navy route, (my father was a Marine) and the Navy has different age restrictions. I am 40 right now and will be 41 this summer. I tried the Navy first. :) At my "advanced" age I was told right off the bat on the phone that age restrictions were cut and dry.

Meanwhile I spoke to the Chair and the Coordinator of my university's Nursing Department and told them both that the Army was holding me out of officer training until next year due to NCLEX to licensure timeline. They were both surpised since both of them had let me and my recruiter know previously that it might be possible.

I told them of my plans to continue working towards the FNP. I said, "it is just fine if the Army wants me to wait a bit, however, since I am going to proceed to the FNP, they will have to wait a bit for me then too."

Waiting an extra year to go Active duty is not a great feeling and I worry that I will somehow "age" out for the Army (will graduate the FNP program at age 42).

Thank you for your response Danz, I will indeed seek RN employment. Even if for only five months!

Gen

Gennaver, MSN · Feb 15, 2007

Hey DanznRN! Confine your stealin' to getting the football from Army at the Army-Navy game!! Ha ha!

Ha, ha Caliotter,

It was an attempt but, the Navy has already said they are not interested.

:)

Gen

DanznRN, RN · Feb 15, 2007

Caliotter/Gennaver-

The Navy's always looking for good people, steal them where we can. I didn't realize you had talked with the Navy already. Good lick.

LCDR(s) Dan

WolfpackRed · Feb 15, 2007

Also, your school loan repayment should not start until ~6 months after you graduate (if these are Stafford loans, or unless you consolidated your loans during school)

Gennaver, MSN · Feb 15, 2007

Also, your school loan repayment should not start until ~6 months after you graduate (if these are Stafford loans, or unless you consolidated your loans during school)

Hi,

I also have alternative loans from my last year undergraduate as well as an alternative/private loan for each of my MS years.

The contracts for them was pretty explicit that payments start upon graduation.

Thank you though, it would be nice if there was the grace period for them too as there is for the stafford loans.

Gen

p.s. registered for the first of the FNP courses added to my final pre-NCLEX quarter!

p.p.s. waiting for news or confirmation that my OBLC date can be changed to six months later than January too.