Making weight and RN,BSN

caliotter3 · Dec 14, 2009

Many years ago I knew a nursing student who was not commissioned upon completion of her program until she made weight. Since she was in a program that was paying her to attend school as an E-3, I don't know what they did to get her to meet the standards but I do know that it involved putting her in the hospital. Maybe she had supervised weight loss at E3 pay until her commissioning. Not the norm. As far as I know, today, people have to make the standards on their own, on their own time, at their own expense.

freefalle · Dec 14, 2009

I believe up until now the Army is the only one who would accept a ADN nurse, and only if they are currently accepted and attending classes towards the BSN. I recently spoke to my recruiter and he stated that the army was no longer going to accept ADN nurses. I don't know if that pertains to both active duty and reserves or just active duty. You can always check. As far as your weight issue, you are on your own. I don't think any branch will even process your application until you meet weight standards. My suggestion would be to join a gym and work closely with a trainer who can help you reach your goal. You can do it if you want it bad enough!!! Good luck.

caliotter3 · Dec 14, 2009

In a similar vein, an acquaintance's son wanted to join the Marine Corps. His recruiter gave him a diagnostic physical fitness exam which he failed. The young man had to engage in a physical fitness program to build himself up until he was ready. He did this on his own time and enlisted with no problem.

just_cause, BSN, RN · Dec 14, 2009

You have a bunch of options overall.

Army and Navy bot have 'student nurse' programs where you essentially do all the paperwork and obligation at 2 years out (ie your a junior / senior in BSN program) and they provide a monthly stipend, most have a small bonus at time of signing and then again at graduation - and upon graduation and completion of NCLEX you immediately begin your work/obligation for that branch. These are the Army Nurse Candidate Program and Army Nurse Candidate Program.

Then you have the option of being in your BSN program and being affiliated with ROTC - and either having scholarships or other type of benefits.

Then you have the option of actually submitting your RN Commission packet 1 year out from NCLEX date, summer of junior year, and gaining acceptance which is either loan repayment or lump sum... this goes for Navy and Army - not sure how far out AF goes - not in my interest range..

Then you have the option of using your ADN and joining the Army Reserve or Army Reserve Active Duty as they are the only branch to accept a given number of ADNs as commissioned officers.. they also have a program to put you through a BSN calle the STRAP program.

My recommendation (given the very general details that I know of your situation) is get in your BSN program, while doing so continue to lose weight with a goal of meeting body fat standards late spring / early summer of your junior year, submitting application package summer of junior year so you can commission immediately upon graduation and either gain lump sum or loan repayment depending on your needs. Oh and I'm partial to the Army based on their mission and my Army affiliation :)

zombie · Dec 14, 2009

1. You "make" weight on your own....

2. Why "hopefully" doing the BSN program?

3. Come in as a BSN. If you have to run up those school loans and stuff. And when you commission have the gov't pay them off.

4. Lots of us having babies so chances are pretty good I think that you can go into labor and delivery. I know lots of people here that are working it and don't want to be in it lol. But, needs of the army...Your not going to work in the ER unless you pretty much are certified and have exp there. The program in the army is competitive due to the slot limitation etc. And of course there is always med surg... the bread and butter. Don't dis med surg though because as a generalist you pretty much can take on lots of different roles... when you get pigeon holed into icu, er nursing... you can limit yourself.

good luck in your future.. sounds like you need to buckle down and follow through with your goals... your priority should be 1. Get your BSN you can lose weight slowly while in nursing school.... although with the stress and stuff you may have a hard time staying away from burger king and so forth..

peace.

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Dec 14, 2009

The Army Reserves is the only service that accepts ADN's. Your recruiter could be right about no ADN's being recruiter since there is only a limited number which can be recruited each year and with the quotas down to about 25% of last years all of this FY's might have already been filled.

untamable07 · Dec 16, 2009

Thank you so much for all your responses. I was planning on doing my BSN starting in January. So sounds like I need to go ahead with this plan and be losing weight at the same time. I'm 24, married with 2 kids. Any insight from the women who are married with children and in the forces ie. how do you handle it when you're away from you family and what determines if your family can move with you.

athena55, BSN, RN · Dec 16, 2009

Thank you so much for all your responses. I was planning on doing my BSN starting in January. So sounds like I need to go ahead with this plan and be losing weight at the same time. I'm 24, married with 2 kids. Any insight from the women who are married with children and in the forces ie. how do you handle it when you're away from you family and what determines if your family can move with you.

Speaking only from the Army side-of-the-house (smile) you can bring your family with you on most PCS moves. The "most" part comes in when you are given a OCONUS assignment that is less than 12 months (like Korea but it seems that most assignments there are now changing in that your tour will be "accompanied") OR you deploy. If you PCS CONUS you will be able to bring your family along from post to post.

How does anyone handle being away from their family? I am deployed now and some of the most HOOAH Army types are really missing their families, especially since this is the Holiday season.

Start preparing by working yourself up to a 2 mile run and doing some serious push-ups and sit-ups NOW. You can only do one push-up? GREAT, do one push-up several times a day and by next week you should be up to 2 push-ups in a row....

Have a great Holiday and good luck in your BSN program!

athena