Long term care to active duty?

[GFzalez]

Hello

I am a new nurse, graduated last year with my BSN but only have 3 months of experience in a nursing home. (It was the only job I was offered after numerous applications and interviews) I am thankful to have a job but It's not where I see myself for very long. I am 23 years old and really interested in joining the Army active duty. I am excited at the opportunity not only to serve my country but also receive the best training in the world for a nurse, and have some great life experiences.

My questions are would working at a nursing home affect my ability to acclimate into the hospital setting where my first assignment would most likely be. Would I still be considered a "new grad" even if I takes a while to get into the army because my past experience is in LTC.

Right now i just need to work in making weight before I can even be taken seriously by a recruiter, any suggestions for what worked for them? I just started Couch to 5K... I just don't want to be announced overweight in a room full of people when they do the initial test.

My other questions that I am interested in..

How long does it take to complete the packet? What is in the packet? Do I need letters of recommendations from old professors and bosses?

Also some questions about training: How much of the time at OBLC is spent on PT vs class time etc? What kinds of exercises are done? How many miles a day do you have to run? Do you have any choice as to when you go to OBLC? When is the best time to go? What is done during that time if you have time left on your lease and making car payments etc.

Do you get commissioned as an officer before you go to training or after training is completed? How is that like?

Also I have a cat, are people able to bring pets with them once they get their assignment? how difficult does it make things?

-Thank you so much for your input I have learned so much from reading this forum.

[GFzalez, BSN, RN]

Thank you everyone for your responses. If for example that was given in the previous post about Long Term Care doesn't count as "constructive" credit then what would I count for? Would I be eligible for the new grad program if after I year I am still at my current job. I have no problems "paying my dues" I am not looking into any major specialty just yet I really just want acute care experience.

I am in a bit between a rock in a hard place. I really don't want to stay at my current job but if I change jobs and then go into the military I will be afraid to be labeled a job hopper if I am going on my third job within 2 years.

Thanks again for your input

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

What they mean by "constructive credit" is that it won't count towards credit towards advanced rank. The educated guess here seems to be that regardless of your experiences in LTC you'd probably be considered as an RN with no experience and therefore as a new grad. The best source of an answer for this is a health professions recruiter for the Army - this is not the same as an enlisted recruiter, the folks in your friendly local recruiting office at the shopping center.

[HNELLA]

In San Antonio the Health Care recruiter is at the local shopping center.

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

You're right - I know he is - but when most folks think "recruiter" they're thinking you can just walk into any of the military recruiter's offices and find what you're looking for, and with the HP folks, you can't. Most of the time you have to hunt them down because they're few and far between.

Thanks for reminding me of that, though!

[HNELLA]

I was amazed how much territory they cover. However, they are fortunate not to have all the headaches that come from the 17-20 y.o. I sat through MEPS in two different cities and to hear some of the problems they present was a head scratcher.

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

I would imagine that's true enough! While recruiters have a reputation for being a nightmare, I do wonder sometimes if it's not borne out of a need to SURVIVE!