New Running Plan, etc.

Published

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

In preparation for the Army Nurse Corps and knowing I need to be able to run, I started and finished the couch-to-5K plan, which was fabulous. Then I just sorta ... floundered. Ha ha. I need structure to my training regimen, so now I'm doing this:

RunSource - Welcome to Gateway to 8k

I've done Week 1, Days 1 and 2. I'll probably do Day 3 tomorrow, as today I'm recovering from my four 12's and a nasty headache. But finally, after all this running, the scale is moving in the right direction! Yay!! But alas, I will still probably be facing the tape measure next month at my physical exam at Walter Reed -- I just don't think I'll get down to 125 lbs before then. Oh well! I feel great, and not almost-38! :D I graduate with my BSN in four weeks. SO EXCITED.

The husband and I are still mulling over what we should choose for our top three first assignment locations (with the knowledge that we may end up at none of them!). Does anyone have any experience with Ft. Huachuca or Ft. Irwin? We may still choose Ft. Carson as #1 -- we love Colorado Springs, and my husband has a standing job offer there, which is nice. But we're also thinking that maybe a totally new-to-both-of-us place would be awesome. With my luck, I'll end up in the DC area. HA! That would solve the house-selling issue ...

Also, are there any Army ER nurses in the house? Just wanting to make connections for later brain-picking. :D

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.

Congrats on your BSN! And you'll get back on track with your running.

Cross Fort Huachuca OFF your list. Ugly, yucky place in the middle of nowhere. Seriously!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Is it worse than Ft. Bliss?? LOL

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My understanding is you will likely get one of 7 MEDCENTER locations... carson and hauchuca are not medcenter locations.. perhaps I'm incorrect but that means the number of nursing billets at those locations is much likely lower then a standard medcenter located post and they probably want to get new nurses into a medcenter in order to train you up.

If those were my choices CARSON x100000 compared to the alternative choice u have ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.

I would think Huachuca would be worse than Fort Bliss. Both ugly desert places (and I'm from the desert which I do love!). But there is at least somewhat of a city by Bliss. No such luck at Huachuca.

I'm with Just... Carson!!!

Do you have a complete list of possibilities? You sound too limited.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

...I'd really look into this because my understanding is your first duty station as a nurse will be at a medcenter... which you haven't listed any. If this isn't the case they might have a general rule to pick x stations but have at least one medcenter... if there aren't slots at non-medcenters for 2LT 66's then you wouldn't have a preference and who knows where you'd go ;)

v/r

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Don't want to play with us down on the Riverwalk and at BAMC? I'll admit I'm a bit disappointed. :)

BTW, your running is both impressing me and inspiring me! Way to go!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

just_cause, I'm going in with the M5/ER nurse identifier, so I think I have some different choices available beyond medcenters. I have a big list I was given by my AMEDD recruiter.

Carolinapooh, we're not ruling Texas out at some point. :) Just hopefully not Ft. Bliss!! LOL

I can't believe I didn't discover that I love running until the age of 37. Oh well ... better late than never!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.

Research Brooks Army Med Center in San Antonio. That part of Tx is NOT like El Paso. What is going on at that facility in the next year will be really awsome to be a part of. Don't rule it out. ( I had crossed Tx off my list first thing too. Researched it and put it as #2. I am thrilled with it now. :) )

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Do you have a complete list of possibilities? You sound too limited.

I do have a big list ... just trying to narrow down my top three choices. :) We're very familiar with the Ft. Carson area already.

Anyone know anything about Ft. Irwin? I think Barstow looks to be the closest city.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I can't say much about Ft. Irwin as a duty station, but it gives me shudders when I remember time spent there at the National Training Center...of course that was all field training. Sorry I can't be more help.

LA40

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Hey, no worries! I appreciate any input.

I was at the AACN/NTI critical care convention yesterday, and my recruiter was there. We hung out for a little bit, and she gave me some more Army swag -- a couple of nice pens and a camo scrub top! :D Unfortunately the only scrub tops they had left were XL -- it's hilariously enormous on me! But who knows, maybe it'll shrink in the wash!

Okay, so we're putting Ft. Carson on the top of the list for sure. Although I'm itchin' to put Landstuhl on there .... I miss Germany so much!! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion