SanDgroovy

US Navy Reserve Officers (Nurse Corp) will have to complete DCO school in Rhode Island, it is 12 days long.

I'm in the Reserves, from what I've heard and experienced, both AD and Reserves nursing are competitive for all branches. I like having the best of both worlds (military life and civilian life) and I do not mind getting deployed, so I had my sights set on the Reserves. It is a long application process, it took me two years from start to commissioning. I was not selected when presented for my first board because they did not have a need for my specialty, but not everyone experiences that.

I also wonder if you were talking to an Enlistment recruiter. I'm in the US Navy Reserves, I was selected as an Officer and as a NURSE, though competitive, I did not have to take an exam to be considered for selection. The only test I recall taking was a UDS and UPT during my physical exam.

Another RN here with BS Exercise & Sports Science! I returned to school to earn a BSN. Currently work in ER but also work a few times a month PRN in fitness/wellness. I find it refreshing to have that fitness job to go to do, keeps me motivated to stay active and healthy. In the future, I'd love to find a way to combine both as well but loving ER. I've heard about RNs with this type of background (health degree + RN) involved in Sports Medicine, cardiac rehab, public health and wellness programs. Good luck in your search!

Congrats!!

I would love to be a FBI agent!

Congrats!!

Hi, I'm an ER RN, I can't offer much advice since I'm waiting on my kit to make it to board selection myself but can try to answer what I can since I had a lot of the same questions! Since 2008, I've talked to AF Reserve, Army Reserve, and really liked Navy Reserve. I come from 100% AF family (even extended family is 100% AF) so they were confused with my decision. Just talking to my recruiter over the months, she said the amount of applicants has significantly increased, thus making the competition tough but I heard this is true for ALL branches, AD & Reserve. She said at one point, they met their quotas for certain specialties, including ER (great for them, not so good news for me)! I've been at it since April. I got my kit complete at the end of Oct because of delays of getting letters, getting transcripts from out of state, etc. It's easier to have all that ready to go, the sooner the better! Between selection board, getting selected, receiving official signed documents, and getting sworn in, I believe that can take a few months if there are no issues with your kit. They may offer a sign on bonus, but that can change. I saw that the site stated $30,000 last year, and a few weeks ago, the site stated $10,000. Depends on what they are offering at that time you sign up, so talk to the recruiter. As for education & benefits, I googled GI Bill & Tricare insurance for reserves. From what I briefly read, one must serve for 6 years to get the education GI Bill?? If I'm wrong, someone can correct me. The Tricare website states how much it'll cost for insurance. You DO NOT have to switch to Active Duty, in fact, I was told it was TOUGH to switch to full time AD; that is what I want to do after a few years in the reserves but I may not even be able to so. Some allnurses members may respond with "do a search on Navy Reserve" but I found it difficult to find threads specifc to my questions regarding Navy Reserves, found quite a few in regards to AD Navy. Either way, you may find some good stuff in the search. Hopefully more Navy Reservist RNs can chime in! Good luck in your quest!

I had a peer interview for the Navy Reserves with Officer Navy Nurses. Although I was a nervous wreck, the interview wasn't bad. They asked questions about me, why the Navy, goals, and nursing. Good luck!!

As a RN who's trying to join the Reserves Nurse Corps, I appreciate the honesty. I often read about the benefits & rewards, but I don't often hear about the insider stuff or the downside. Thank you for sharing your experiences!

Would love to hear more about Navy Reserves myself!! I'm trying to get in, crossing my fingers!!

I'm really into exercise, health, and wellness so I don't let the 12 hour shifts get in the way of my fitness (I also have another part time job)!! Fitness was my 1st career, so I'm passionate about this subject. :heartbeat When I started in my nursing career, I didn't workout or eat right, I gained weight quickly. I found myself drinking a lot of diet soda, eating unhealthy snacks, and not packing my food meant eating in the cafeteria and I didn't make good choices. 1) Food: Eating clean, whole foods is definitely #1, along with water intake. I make my meals the night before and buy easy to make, easy to grab meals and snacks-like trail mix, bars, dried or fresh fruit. I limit myself to 3 diet sodas a week, and drink more tea and water during my shift. If I'm in a time crunch & didn't cook, I will grab my bag of spinach, tofurky deli "meat", apples, yogurt, cheese sticks, luna or larabar, and a pita or two. I have plenty of snacks, and I have plenty of food to make a couple salads, and pita sandwiches while at work. 2) Fitness: I workout in my living room for 20-30 min in the AM before my shift. Even if it's a couple sets of push ups, crunches, jumping jacks, and squats, it gets my blood flowing and helps wake me up. If I can't wake up in time, I'll do it after work while I watch TV. There are days where I've done my cardio in the AM before work, and weights in th PM after work. On my OFF days, I set aside an hour to go to the gym. Definitely a good day to get in weights and cardio. If I have a full day of errands, again I'll workout at home if need be but off days are definitely workout days. I bought an exercise bike off Craigslist for super cheap & I have a couple sets of dumbbells, some DVDs, and On Demand has a huge selection of exercise videos. It doesn't hurt that I work in a BUSY. BUSY ER. I'm running around for 12 hours, so I wear a pedometer to count miles, steps, and calories I burn each shift. I gotta keep my mind and body healthy, and exercise is my stress relief. It can be done.

I have been working with a GA Navy Reserve recruiter. I've been extremely busy but should be done with my packet in the next couple weeks once I gather a few more documents. I've done the physical, interview, etc. I have been interested in joining the military for YEARS but earned my BSN in 2008 and finally moving forward. I wanted AD initially but Reserves seems like a better fit for me right now, it seems AD slots are low anyway. Good luck to everyone!

Congrats!! I grew up in that area-actually born on that base. You'll love the beaches. I'm not in the AF but trying to join Navy Reserves. If you have any specific questions about the area, I will try my best to answer. Enjoy!!

Yes-it's possible!! Kudos to everyone who makes the time for their health and wellbeing. I work with several RNs who are on P90x or starting, and I see the changes in everyone!! I work out several times a week, and look better than I did in my 20's and certainly feel better than ever. It's all about time management, I schedule my workouts and weekly menu in my planner, just like I would an appointment or meeting. It helps to plan ahead with meals. On Sundays, I cook a TON of healthy meals, I also cut lots of veggies and fruits (these can be eaten as snacks, thrown into a salad, or added to meals). I separate my healthy snacks (nuts, rice cakes, dried fruit, trail mix, etc) in snack size sandwich baggies. I always have protein bars, yogurt, oats, etc that can eaten as a snack in the middle of my crazy shift, or quick breakfast if I'm low in time. If I am feeling extra organized, I even label the days (Mon shift, Wed shift, Thurs shift)...so the days I work, I just grab and go. That way, you have no reason to go to the vending machine, planning and cooking ahead leave you with all the food you need, and you save $$!