May 09 BSN Grad Planning to Enlist AD as Army RN--HELP!!!!

Staczse7 · Feb 22, 2009

hi!

first, off you don't want to enlist... you want to obtain a Direct Commission...... the steps for that would be to talk to a AMEDD recruiter. They are recruiters that handle healthcare professionals

2ndly, there is a thread on OBC.... but it is 3-1/2 weeks long..... there are some other posters here on the forum that have gone. I am waiting my turn. but I can tell you that some time is spent at Fort Sam Houston and some time at Camp Bullis.,.... you learn basic skills there such as land nav and how to fire a weapon. You spend time learning how to behave/act as a Commissioned Officer.

as for the bonus/ student loan repayment...... for each there is a three year committment (with the Reserves) not sure about AD. so for example I took both.... so I am signed for 6 years.... then I get placed into IRR status where they can call me back for deployment etc. for the following two years. I am actually, well right now but as always subject to change

the bonuses I am planning to have direct deposited to my account. the student loans I am deferring until they kick in payment.... that'll be $20k, $20k and $10k (minus taxes of course I am told).

I hope this was a little helpful :>D

aanwyn, BSN, RN · Feb 22, 2009

Ok yea thanks that was helpful...

N my mistake on "enlist" bc I have been in contact with AMEDD recruiter for direct commission.

So it seems that you either get loan repayment or bonus per 3 yrs not both perhaps reserves only? Also the loan repayment you say is deferred--U mean your requested loan deferment with the lender until the army initiates a payment to them?

Rme4life · Feb 23, 2009

i can try to answer your questions. i hope this helps.

What should I expect upon acceptance? graduate, take nclex, get a class date for oblc and the go to your first assignment.

If I get my top choice of assignment, what is the likelihood of reassignment later on? you usually spend about 2-3 yrs at each assignment (on average).

Any idea what the likelihood of deployment is? they like for new nurses to have 1 year experience prior to being assigned to a profis slot. once you're in a slot you can deploy.

What is OBC like? this changes all the time, but basically about 2 months of army training that is a lot of power point.

What should I expect my 1st year and the next 2 if I don't sign-on again? they now have the new internship for nursing so you would go to a med center for 1 year and then either stay at that location or be re-assigned to another location.

Has anyone served their term and been called back? everyone signs up for an 8 yr committment, so once done with your active time, yes you can be called back even in the IRR, but they have a lot of reserve units that will guarantee a non-deployed status.

If I do continue what should I expect--will I be assigned elsewhere? if you stay in you will move. you can stay as short as 12 months and ive known people to stay as long as 8 maybe longer. my longest has been 6 yrs. shortest 2 yrs.

I keep hearing that the military makes promises they don't keep??? Any experience w/ this? yes and no. have there been recruiters out there that lie, sure. generally speaking if its not in a contract, then you're taking your chances. things change and so yes a leader might make a promise and then not be able to keep it, but if you have it in writting then you at least have some recourse.

I keep hearing from ppl that have been in the military, allbeit non-nursing, that they were lied to??? yes people lie, even in the army.

Anyone have any experience with student loan repayment? no, i came in ancp so was paid monthly and then a bonus.

How exactly do you receive your bonuses? i received mine direct deposit in my bank account.

Staczse7 · Feb 23, 2009

Ok yea thanks that was helpful...
N my mistake on "enlist" bc I have been in contact with AMEDD recruiter for direct commission.
So it seems that you either get loan repayment or bonus per 3 yrs not both perhaps reserves only? Also the loan repayment you say is deferred--U mean your requested loan deferment with the lender until the army initiates a payment to them?

again, I can speak only for Reserves just so I don't give you wrong info. Each incentive you give 3 years. So if you take both you give a total of 6 years of service. And yes, you choose to defer (and i did because I was in a MSN program but am now going to be doing a MPH degree program instead) and get your bonus first or do loan repayment first.

lionstudent · Feb 23, 2009

i can try to answer your questions. i hope this helps.
What should I expect upon acceptance? graduate, take nclex, get a class date for oblc and the go to your first assignment.
If I get my top choice of assignment, what is the likelihood of reassignment later on? you usually spend about 2-3 yrs at each assignment (on average).
Any idea what the likelihood of deployment is? they like for new nurses to have 1 year experience prior to being assigned to a profis slot. once you're in a slot you can deploy.
What is OBC like? this changes all the time, but basically about 2 months of army training that is a lot of power point.
What should I expect my 1st year and the next 2 if I don't sign-on again? they now have the new internship for nursing so you would go to a med center for 1 year and then either stay at that location or be re-assigned to another location.
Has anyone served their term and been called back? everyone signs up for an 8 yr committment, so once done with your active time, yes you can be called back even in the IRR, but they have a lot of reserve units that will guarantee a non-deployed status.
If I do continue what should I expect--will I be assigned elsewhere? if you stay in you will move. you can stay as short as 12 months and ive known people to stay as long as 8 maybe longer. my longest has been 6 yrs. shortest 2 yrs.
I keep hearing that the military makes promises they don't keep??? Any experience w/ this? yes and no. have there been recruiters out there that lie, sure. generally speaking if its not in a contract, then you're taking your chances. things change and so yes a leader might make a promise and then not be able to keep it, but if you have it in writting then you at least have some recourse.
I keep hearing from ppl that have been in the military, allbeit non-nursing, that they were lied to??? yes people lie, even in the army.
Anyone have any experience with student loan repayment? no, i came in ancp so was paid monthly and then a bonus.
How exactly do you receive your bonuses? i received mine direct deposit in my bank account.

Hey Rme4life,

Great posting of info..thanks...I have questions about the ANCP...How quickly were U required to take the NCLEX once U graduated from school, how much of the $10,000 bonus did U receive AFTER taxes, what is the amount of the monthly stipend, and is it taxed also??? I'm strongly considering doing the ANCP program to finish my last year of my BSN d/t the economic crisis... Also, can U tell me what's the likelihood of becoming an Neonatal NP if I go the L&D route in the Army Nurse Corp? Thanks n advance for your help...

Rme4life · Feb 25, 2009

How quickly were U required to take the NCLEX once U graduated from school i cant remember, seems like 60 or 90 days but i waited less than 30 which is why i cant remember. the recruiter can give you the exact numbers. how much of the $10,000 bonus did U receive AFTER taxes,basically i got it all, but i have 4 kids and we lived on E-5 pay. what is the amount of the monthly stipend, and is it taxed also??? I'm strongly considering doing the ANCP program to finish my last year of my BSN d/t the economic crisis... Also, can U tell me what's the likelihood of becoming an Neonatal NP if I go the L&D route in the Army Nurse Corp? Thanks n advance for your help... the army no longer has pediatric nursing as a specialty (they offer l&d, er, cc, perioperative, psych & public heath). you can be a NP or a Midwife or a CRNA or you can apply to er/trauma cns, critical care cns, maternal child cns.

hope this helps.

olderthandirt2 · Feb 25, 2009

Hey Rme4life,
Great posting of info..thanks...I have questions about the ANCP...How quickly were U required to take the NCLEX once U graduated from school, how much of the $10,000 bonus did U receive AFTER taxes, what is the amount of the monthly stipend, and is it taxed also??? I'm strongly considering doing the ANCP program to finish my last year of my BSN d/t the economic crisis... Also, can U tell me what's the likelihood of becoming an Neonatal NP if I go the L&D route in the Army Nurse Corp? Thanks n advance for your help...

Ask about the possibility of going to graduate school with your recruiter.......If you commission and THEN decide to apply for the CRNA program, you must wait 2 years before you can apply......not sure of other grad programs with the Army. So, basically have your recruiter look into the guidelines BEFORE you commission.

I signed for the 30k/50k sign-on/loan repayment (reserve). They deposited something like $6,800 AFTER taxes (state and fed) on $10,000.

good luck,

c.

Rme4life · Feb 25, 2009

not really true regarding the crna. they were asking people at my oblc class if they were interested to start getting their packet together bc they are waiving requirements bc they need the people. its all needs of the army and the army will waive any requirement if they need you.

just_cause, BSN, RN · Feb 26, 2009

Olderthendirt is correct on the CRNA portion. Perhaps there are atypical cases as Rme4life had experienced.. but an individual should be prepared to serve out his/her time prior to getting that opportunity to apply - after he/she had taken their initial lump sum or loan repayment.

v/r

Rme4life · Feb 26, 2009

i dont disagree. most are capt or even maj when accepted into a masters program thru the army although i have known 1LT. same with specialty course. it says you can go at 1 yr of service and yet its more like 2-3. there is always a norm and then the exceptions. i just learned the hard way that just bc you dont meet a requirment does not mean you cant request a waiver. sometimes i just take someones words like you must wait 2 yrs and see the chance for someone to put a waiver in. i try to be realistic too. sorry for any confusion on my part.