Join Army Reserves to Gain Nursing Experience?

pattyrn376 · Feb 12, 2009

I just got comissioned in the reserves, I am 43 but have been in nursing for 25 yrs the past 17 as an RN. I'd say go for it, It would give you great experience. I have a great job with the VA and love it but if I didnt I would consider the army full time

athena55, BSN, RN · Feb 12, 2009

Hello trustsupplyguy:

I think that the decision to join the Army Nurse Corps Reserves is a decision that you must mull over and list both the pros and cons very carefully.

It will be, as you state, a two year commitment and the possibility of your being deployed either CONUS or OCONUS is very real.

You will be required to submit a lot of paperwork, go through MEPS (physical examinations) and then, if accepted, go to Officers Basic Leadership Course.

You will be required to maintain your weight and fitness levels and attend drill or battle assemblies monthly with Annual Training for 2-3 weeks every year, usu sally in the summer months and usually out of your home state.

I am not sure about the "joining Army Reserves to gain nursing experience" since you state you have a year of telemetry and medical surgical experience "under your belt" so to speak. Most 66H's in a TPU don't really go to a clinical area to work. Usually a 66H in a TPU will perhaps teach the others in the unit (depending what your TPU is, for example will you be assigned to a Medical Support Unit, MSU?) how to take a BP or how to treat an open abdominal wound etc. All depends upon your units METL (Mission Essential Task List) AND if you "go in" as IRR, IMA, TPU as I mentioned above

Unless you get mobilized or deployed you would be making some $$ for the drills you attend, and the amount you get for your two days of drill - or four days, depending on what you will be doing, will be dependent upon your rank.

IF you have your ADN you will come in as either 2nd or 1st LT. If you have your BSN you would probably come in as a 1st LT and then, depending if you have any TIG (time in grade) you could possibly, maybe, put in your papers for promotion, after about two years or so. But with only 2 years experience I would think you would have to "put in more time" before you come up for promotion.

But please understand that you need to put out some $$ before hand, as well (Army Combat Uniform, ACU - at least one pair, Army boots, Army undershirts, Army socks, depending on where you are located perhaps Army field jacket, Army Dress Uniform...)

The real question you should ask yourself is: "AM I ready and willing to commit to serving my country and caring for our Wounded Warriors? Will I be ready and willing to be deployed or mobilized according to the needs of the Army?"

Reading over this Boy do I sound negative! But my intent was to share with you some of the things you should think about before going to see a Health Care Recruiter

Lastly, No, I don't think you are "crazy for thinking about this". The ANC needs Psych nurses, as you stated. I want to be the first to say THANK YOU for even thinking about Stepping UP. And, I was a "late bloomer" also...Went from the Reserves to the Active side of the house in my 50's, as well.

If I or anyone else on this forum can be of assistance, help, PLEASE let us know

That is the wonderful thing about All Nurses. The support one can receive from here can be overwhelming!

athena

FLmomof5 · Feb 12, 2009

Looking at the Army reserves as well. I just spoke to both Army and AF recruiters. AF would take up to 46 yo. I will be 48 when I graduate. I am prior AF AD and that would land me under the age limit....except they want BSNs only. They said if I had a "science based" degree and an RN, it would be OK. I said that I did! I am an EE! He informed me that this was not science based, but technical. :icon_roll Geez, tell THAT to an Engineer!

The Army Reserves will take the ASN and the recruiter was currently processing a 51 yo for a nursing slot. He said my age was no barrier to Reserves, but I would have needed a BSN with my prior service to get Active Duty. Bummer. Oh well, the reserves are better than nothing and you still get a retirement!

olderthandirt2 · Feb 12, 2009

Looking at the Army reserves as well. I just spoke to both Army and AF recruiters. AF would take up to 46 yo. I will be 48 when I graduate. I am prior AF AD and that would land me under the age limit....except they want BSNs only. They said if I had a "science based" degree and an RN, it would be OK. I said that I did! I am an EE! He informed me that this was not science based, but technical. :icon_roll Geez, tell THAT to an Engineer!
The Army Reserves will take the ASN and the recruiter was currently processing a 51 yo for a nursing slot. He said my age was no barrier to Reserves, but I would have needed a BSN with my prior service to get Active Duty. Bummer. Oh well, the reserves are better than nothing and you still get a retirement!

If you put in 20 years, otherwise......uh, no.

c.

FLmomof5 · Feb 12, 2009

I am prior service AD USAF. Guess I should have mentioned that.

trustsupplyguy · Feb 14, 2009

Thank you all for your excellent feedback -- much appreciated! A few more questions, if I may:

I am not sure about the "joining Army Reserves to gain nursing experience" since you state you have a year of telemetry and medical surgical experience "under your belt" so to speak. Most 66H's in a TPU don't really go to a clinical area to work. Usually a 66H in a TPU will perhaps teach the others in the unit (depending what your TPU is, for example will you be assigned to a Medical Support Unit, MSU?) how to take a BP or how to treat an open abdominal wound etc. All depends upon your units METL (Mission Essential Task List) AND if you "go in" as IRR, IMA, TPU as I mentioned above.

Would I gain clinical experience that would help me get a job when I got out? Based on the above, it doesn't sound like I would. I'd hate to join up with that in mind, and then be unpleasantly surprised. Any feedback?

What's the nursing training like? I don't know how to treat an open abdominal wound.

How do people that have a normal job make this work?

If I went in for two years, about how much of that time would I be away from home? My wife needs to know that.

Sorry for all the questions. Thanks for your thoughts, and your service!

athena55, BSN, RN · Feb 15, 2009

hello trustsupplyguy:

would i gain clinical experience that would help me get a job when i got out? based on the above, it doesn't sound like i would. i'd hate to join up with that in mind, and then be unpleasantly surprised. any feedback?

i think being in the reserves could be "all that it could be" if you keep an open mind..would your experience being in the reserves help you get a job? dunno. my suggestion, to make yourself more marketable as a nurse: keep up with any continuing education units your state may require, seek certification in your speciality. no speciality? "just a med-surg nurse"? well, seek out certification in medical surgical nursing from the american nurses association. on the soldier side of things: do as much education as you can on the internet via your ako account (when you obtain one that is, after you become a commissioned reserve officer in the nc) examples of some of the course work you can do while in the reserves, all computer-based learning:

workplace security awareness; level 1 anti-terrorism/force protection; emergency response and spill control (hazwoper); wheeled vehicle accident avoidance (wvaa); law of land warfare; alcohol abuse; drivers licensing program; call for medevac; force protection; code of conduct; hot/cold weather injury prevention. just a sample of some of the on-line stuff i did while in the reserves. continuing education is important in every field out there plus it will look good on your oer (officer evaluation report)

once everything falls into place you will, eventually, go to officers basic leadership course at fort sam houston in texas. i think it is 3 weeks long, i could be wrong.

what's the nursing training like? i don't know how to treat an open abdominal wound.

again i can only speak from my experience with a tpu (troop program unit), the unit that i drilled with one weekend a month, two weeks out of the year. i got to know the soldier and officers very well and, thankfully, we mostly got along and worked very well together on our unit's metl. so you don't really have any experience working with trauma, well what experience do you have? [and i know it is kind of limited at this point in your professional nursing career). are you bcls certified? you could volunteer to help teach cpr to the other soldiers in your unit. the warmer weather will soon be here. maybe you could volunteer to teach a lesson about hot weather protection or how to hydrate properly when one is exercising or the different heat category's and what they mean to troop preparedness. if you are assigned to a medical unit and your commander and your 1sgt are on top of their game you could suggest just about anything that you would be willing to teach. i would bet that some of the enlisted/ncos in your future unit have medical experience or background and they would be willing to suggest a topic and you could work together.

again unless you are assigned to a csh (combat support hospital) i don't see any real "nursing training" in your future (i.e., going to a clinical area and working as a nurse), you very well may be assigned a topic and told when to present it.

how do people that have a normal job make this work?

well, when i was a member of the reserves i was also working for the federal government - in the veterans administration hospital system (visn3). you have your drill or battle assembly schedule worked out for the fiscal year and you will know ahead of time when your drills will be, when your at (annual training) will be and where so that you can give a warno to your company/hospital. i was fortunate, working for the va, no problem with my drill dates. also had no problem volunteering to do srp's and other medical missions.

if i went in for two years, about how much of that time would i be away from home? my wife needs to know that.

remember there is always the chance that your unit will be called up for deployment, there is always the possibility that you will be called up to mobilize somewhere for 12 months, there is always the possibility that a select few from your unit will be deployed and/or mobilized. you might be one of the lucky ones that joins a tpu that is still within the 4-5 year dwell-time (meaning, you missed their last deployment and the dwell-time at home is just starting or in the middle of a cycle and you wouldn't expect to be deployed for the two years you think you will serve) again, stuff happens and you just might have a critical mos or asi that makes you more deployable in the eyes of branch. so, sorry i can't help you there. i wouldn't know how much time you would be away from home. you might be "lucky" and never get your "marching orders"

athena

trustsupplyguy · Feb 16, 2009

Athena 55,

I am so grateful for your responses! You have answered my questions superbly -- thank you!

The Army, the VA, and the Nation are very lucky to have you!

Speaking of the VA, I was almost hired there in Oct-2008 when the hiring freeze came on. I called recently and they said I'm near the top of the list, but the freeze is still on. Have you heard anything about the freeze being lifted soon?

Thanks again,

S-guy

athena55, BSN, RN · Feb 16, 2009

Hi S-guy:

Sorry, can't really help you. I "went over to the dark side" and went active duty

Hooah!

I have heard from friends back home that there is a hiring freeze at the VA. Gee I will keep you in my thoughts. Don't know what else I would suggest except if your local VA has a web site, check it out - may give you hints as to when the hiring freeze ends.

So, how far have you come in your decision-making process r/t going Reserves?

athena

sassysoldier · Feb 16, 2009

have you thought about the public health corps???