If you have VA Nurse Practitioner or Army AMEDD Reserve Questions...

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Specializes in Plastic Surgery / ENT / Head & Neck Surgery.

Haven't logged on here in a while, but figured I could help answer some questions out there. I am two things: 

1: Army Reserve FRST Commander (been in the military too damn long)

    **FRST = Forward Resuscitative Surgical Team (The newer FST)

2: Veteran Affairs Nurse Practitioner - Plastic Surgery/ENT; working inpatient, outpatient, and all aspects of O.R. (pre, intra, post op)

 

I see a lot of question about the Army AMEDD and also about navigating the VA system. I have done both so I might be of help or at least have enough pull to get you the contacts you need to answer your questions. Feel free to DM me or post on this thread any questions you have. 

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

What’s the additional duties look like for the O3 66S’s on your team? I imagine most O’s are dual-hating as an S3, XO, ect. I’m currently AD and often hear that the commitment extends far beyond “one weekend a month, 2-weeks a year” thanks for your input! 

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Specializes in Plastic Surgery / ENT / Head & Neck Surgery.
6 hours ago, Rhody16x said:

What’s the additional duties look like for the O3 66S’s on your team? I imagine most O’s are dual-hating as an S3, XO, ect. I’m currently AD and often hear that the commitment extends far beyond “one weekend a month, 2-weeks a year” thanks for your input! 

So, we are sourced for MOB right now so yes, we are more than the typical obligation.  Because we are a detachment, we have support from BN and the S shops, and I have a 70B as an XO.  My 66S’s do have some additional duties, but it’s usually stuff like HAZMAT, UPL, Sling Load, SHARP, EO, UMO, etc.  We are slightly different being that we are small and our mission is always forward, usually supporting SOF or other elements.  Not to sound elite, but we are basically the most capable medical asset the Reserves have and definitely do the hardest missions.  My S’s and T’s are usually put through a trial period before coming on the team.  We only take the smartest, most physically capable soldiers with the highest education and experience.  Because of who we support, it’s the standard to Max the standard and be better than everyone else.  As a commander it makes it easy since everyone is a go getter.  Also, as commander, I put in about 15-20hrs a week (unpaid).

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Thanks for the detailed answer! I’ve heard some rumors that an additional S will be added to the team primarily used for JECC, any news on that? I imagine most FRSTs on the reserve side share you scrutiny of potential members. Is deployment experience a must to get on a team? Some of my peers ran into that roadblock when they tried to hop on a team. 

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Specializes in Plastic Surgery / ENT / Head & Neck Surgery.

No, we still have (2) 66T and (2) 66S.  We lost the 66E, but I’m not upset about that, they brought little value to the team (sorry OR nurses).  I have a mix of those who have deployed and those who have not.  Not a requirement per se, but helps.  There is no amount of stateside training that prepares you for what you face on a real world deployment, it’s not even a comparison.  The seasoned vets know this and either avoid it like crazy or are drawn to it like a drug.  I’ve been deploying since 2001 to combat zones so you can see where my brain is.

Side note, what’s with the “Rhody” name?  From RI?  My team is based out of RI.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I’ve heard about the 66E, makes sense. That’s good to know in regards to deployment experiece. Thanks for letting me pick your brain!

I’m from CT but went to URI! 

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I am a reserve 66S but want to use my ACNP credentials (I work IP IM). Any branches uses ACNPs as of now?

66S in a FST would be nice but I can't find a slot...any open slots you know of?

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I'm currently a nurse at the VA but, I am in school to be a Family NP. I see they require NPs to have atleast 2 years of NP experience to be hired. How do you think I should obtain the experience? Should I leave and come back? My VA does not have a NP residency.

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Specializes in Plastic Surgery / ENT / Head & Neck Surgery.
On 3/5/2021 at 3:17 PM, FinePrint15 said:

I'm currently a nurse at the VA but, I am in school to be a Family NP. I see they require NPs to have atleast 2 years of NP experience to be hired. How do you think I should obtain the experience? Should I leave and come back? My VA does not have a NP residency.

I wouldn’t leave if you plan to stay in the VA system.  We have hired many NPs who were recently transitioned from RNs.  If you know there is an NP job opening up, I would speak to someone in that department and see if you can get a foot in the door.  The good’ole boy system is still in play, even in the federal system.

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Specializes in Plastic Surgery / ENT / Head & Neck Surgery.
On 2/20/2021 at 2:23 PM, Numenor said:

I am a reserve 66S but want to use my ACNP credentials (I work IP IM). Any branches uses ACNPs as of now?

66S in a FST would be nice but I can't find a slot...any open slots you know of?

You’ll need Family NP to be a 66P in the Army books, the Air Force is the only branch who recognizes ACNP.  I have two 66Ss who are both ACNPs in the civilian world, but stay on as 66S in the Army so they can play a little.  You need to seek out an FST/FRST for decent 66S slots, otherwise you’ll be stuck in a field hospital wasting away.  All of my 66Ss contacted me, I don’t contact them.  We look for those who want to be on the team, not those who happen to be slotted.  Every single person on my team contacted me personally and expressed interest, I have never sought anyone out.  The smartest, fittest, hardest working, and most dedicated eventually find their way onto an FRST specifically to deploy to austere environments and do weird things with bearded folk.  If that’s what you want, I’d suggest you start shooting out emails.  CNN might let you believe all is OK, but I assure you that real world missions are actively going on.  I know the next couple of units heading out, I know some need 66Ss, might want to start asking around and jumping into roster slots if you want to get in the fight.

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Specializes in Plastic Surgery / ENT / Head & Neck Surgery.
1 minute ago, NickG said:

You’ll need Family NP to be a 66P in the Army books, the Air Force is the only branch who recognizes ACNP.  I have two 66Ss who are both ACNPs in the civilian world, but stay on as 66S in the Army so they can play a little.  You need to seek out an FST/FRST for decent 66S slots, otherwise you’ll be stuck in a field hospital wasting away.  All of my 66Ss contacted me, I don’t contact them.  We look for those who want to be on the team, not those who happen to be slotted.  Every single person on my team contacted me personally and expressed interest, I have never sought anyone out.  The smartest, fittest, hardest working, and most dedicated eventually find their way onto an FRST specifically to deploy to austere environments and do weird things with bearded folk.  If that’s what you want, I’d suggest you start shooting out emails.  CNN might let you believe all is OK, but I assure you that real world missions are actively going on.  I know the next couple of units heading out, I know some need 66Ss, might want to start asking around and jumping into roster slots if you want to get in the fight.

Also, sourced units can carry more folks than the DMD will allow.  You can double and triple slot into a 66S slot and make a good case for yourself to be on a team.  A little competition never hurts.

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2 hours ago, NickG said:

I wouldn’t leave if you plan to stay in the VA system.  We have hired many NPs who were recently transitioned from RNs.  If you know there is an NP job opening up, I would speak to someone in that department and see if you can get a foot in the door.  The good’ole boy system is still in play, even in the federal system.

Thank you so much!

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