Medical Waiver - Military Nurse

[ADM_RustyShackleford, MSN, RN]

Hello All --

I have been interested in the idea of joining a US branch of military for some time now (either Navy or Air Force) and was hoping to get some help regarding possible medical waiver. I know each branch is different and has their own requirements and nurses here might not have the exact advice I'm looking for, but I figure it's worth a shot.

I'm a 29 year old male with 4 years experience as an ER nurse at a Level 1 Trauma center in a large city. Now that I've got a bit of experience and knowledge under my belt I have been looking to branch out and see what else is out there. Always had an interest in military and the idea of joining a branch either active duty or reserve has me intrigued at this stage of my life.

I was just wondering - what is the typical medical waiver process like? Is it something that might be applicable to me and my situation?

A bit more background - I am a physically healthy pup. Decent shape. Not concerned about the physical aspects that come with serving. But I have a very (in my opinion) mild generalized anxiety disorder for which I have been on medication now for ~6 years. I've never been hospitalized, suicidal, homicidal, etc. Or had my condition impair my ability to care for myself or impede any part of my career. Basically at the time I started medication I noticed I was having some issues, addressed them, and have just kept chugging along. I understand fully that with any sort of behavior/mental health issue there would be cause for concern in the military. Is this a black and white issue in the eyes of Uncle Sam?

While I'm willing to make sacrifices for the opportunity to serve, I am just in the mindset if "it's not broke don't fix it" if it meant coming down to stopping medications. Would that not be an option if I tried to enlist? I don't want to lie during the recruitment process, and have been quite vague with the resources I've already reached out to.

Is this something that one could be granted a waiver for?

Any help/advice is greatly appreciated

[jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA]

The rules for waivers do change from time to time, but I don't think you would be able to qualify for a waiver while still on anti-anxiety medication.

I'm far from a mental health expert, but is a mental health condition really 'mild' if you need medication to control it? Wouldn't mild anxiety be treatable with cognitive behavioral therapy and the like?

No offense meant here, but have you considered that someone with anxiety might not be a good fit for a deployed setting with the high likely-hood for loud noises (guns, planes, explosions, etc)? It might not be in your best interest health-wise to be a part of that environment.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

I agree with jfratian. You will also not be granted a waiver on anxiety meds. I believe you have to be off of them for a significant amount of time before they will even consider you.

Officers don't enlist, by the way - we commission. :) But please, don't lie about it to get in. If you continue on meds they will know. Not sure what you take, but there are a plethora of drug tests that you cannot fake as they literally watch the urine exit your body. Lol.