hello all, longtime listener first time caller here. i am an active duty critical care nurse (66s) for the past 6 years and will be separating this summer 2016. im interested in transitioning to reserves.
here is what ive been told by both retention and reserves recruiters (confirmed by multiple recruiters):
Incentive pay for ICU RN 66S = $25k per year for 3 year commitment.
Everything else depends on the unit.
an additional factor in my consideration of joining reserves is the fact that i can transfer my gi bill to my wife who will start her junior year fall 2016 - in order to transfer this benefit, i will owe 4 years reserve time for this, but this "adso" does not affect the special pay.
obviously i will get everything in writing before i sign anything. can anybody confirm the special pay amounts? i was admittedly skeptical since thats more than the active duty bonus.
my questions are more related to active duty versus reserves:
what is most important factor in choosing a unit?
what are the different types of units i could be assigned to?
is the special pay bonus given at the beginning or end of each year?
what do drills typically entail? day in the life?
what is the likelihood of deployment for critical nurses at this point? the special pay makes me think there is a very high likelihood.
are deployments/mobilizations more backfilling positions or actually going downrange?
how long are current icu nursing reservist deployments/mobilizations?
i was told reserve nurses get extra "vacation" days from their regular jobs for reserve duties, can someone advise or clarify?
should i state that i will be joining or have already joined the reserves on my resume?
how does rank advancement compare to active?
regarding retirement, what would be better: 6 years active duty and either 14 years reserve time OR 14 years at the VA?
thank you in advance for the help and please feel free to add anything i may be neglecting to ask... thank you!
