NP considering Army Reserves

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Hi

I'm considering the Army Reserves, entering as a Psych NP. It's been a dream of mine for a long time (very long...I'm 53!...they're waiving my age and the board told my recruiter to sign me up at all cost - they'll let me do my one weekend a month in my hometown and base me locally, even let me use the time at my job in a Vets Home as time served on weekends, if need be). I'm a little concerned as I hear some recruiters glaze over the hard facts. I was told there's no basic training but now I'm reading here that you go to an Officer's Training? Is that for Nurse Practitioners/Clinical Nurse Specialists as well? There's NO way I'll make it through any physical training at this point.

I'm also concerned about finances. My recruiter told me that my sign up would be 50,000 towards my student loans and 30,000 sign on bonus, then $1,589 a month for one weekend a month. OK, that's wonderful, but I'm confused as to what I'll get if/when I'm deployed (also, do you get paid for the two weeks per Summer?). I can't go below the 83,000 I make now as a civilian.

Lots of newbie questions, I know, but I'm not sure where to go to get all the answers and would really appreciate some guidance.

Any Psych NPs out there serving in the Reserves? What kind of experiences are you having? Did anyone enter as new graduate NPs? Were you thrown right into writing scripts or did someone take you under their wing?

Thanks :nurse:

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Specializes in mostly in the basement.

Hello,

Congrats on your interest in serving!

I am not Army but AF Reserve so unfortunately can't offer you too much specific info but I see you are waiting for a response. Hopefully, one of our Army folks will come along soon.

That said, I do think you are wise to keep a critical ear to what your recruiter is saying.

While there is indeed no 'basic training' there is most always a required officer leadership and familiarization course(regardless of what each branch calls it--OBLC for army side) for all newly commissioned professionals. If ANY physical trainging is out then I think you may need to ask some more questions. It's certainly not hard core but fitness is taken much more seriously these days, even on the med side of things. You seemed adamant that ANY physical stuff is out. Ask questions.

Secondly, I reviewed the reserve military pay charts and I just don't see how exactly you would possibly earn $1589 per drill weekend, even if you came in at full bird Colonel particularly w/ no prior service. Also, it sounds like you might also be a new grad NP so I'm not sure how you would be utilized upon accession.

I don't know, perhaps there are special recruitment deals that I am not aware of, but simply based on the ##'s and OBLC info I would look to speak to another recruiter or perhaps request more clarification from your current one.

Wish I could offer more help,

Good luck!

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Specializes in ICU- adults, Flight RN peds/neo.

Hi,

I am new to this forum, but I am also newly "commissioned" in the Army Reserves as a 1Lt.

1. "I was told there's no basic training but now I'm reading here that you go to an Officer's Training? Is that for Nurse Practitioners/Clinical Nurse Specialists as well? There's NO way I'll make it through any physical training at this point. I'm also concerned about finances".

Well, I was informed that OBLC is a requirement for all medical personel. Now I am not sure of the length, although it sounds like 3-4weeks. Check out the website:http://www.cs.amedd.army.mil/obc/

And you will be expect to run 2 miles, do sit ups and push-ups. Check out this website to see how many of each you will be expected to do--- http://www.hooah4health.com/4You/apft.htm

2. "My recruiter told me that my sign up would be 50,000 towards my student loans and 30,000 sign on bonus, then $1,589 a month for one weekend a month. OK, that's wonderful, but I'm confused as to what I'll get if/when I'm deployed (also, do you get paid for the two weeks per Summer?). I can't go below the 83,000 I make now as a civilian".

Well, I don't know what your payscale would be--but those numbers seem a bit ambitious, --Here is the D.O.D. website for payscales--click on "reserve". You may be an "O-2 or O-3" Depending on your degrees and years of experience. http://www.defenselink.mil/militarypay/pay/bp/index.html

Yeah, you might needs some clarification from your "health care recruiter"

Good luck

cindy

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It looks like the recruiters are using the bonus cash to calculate your estimated monthly pay for your years of commitment in the service.

Consider this wisely, many of the services will depoly you for up to 12 months. I think it is ONLY in the Air Force, you deployment is limited to 3 months. The Air Force made this 3 month limit policy in 2001, knowing long ago that they did not want to burn-out their people.

Second, your pay is based on your rank and years of credited service in the military. Look at the current pay charts. You also get some housing allowances, but the amount depends on your location of your home resident.

I'm in the Air Force Reserves as a newly commissioned Flight Nurse with 8 years of prior service in the Army Reserves from 87 -97. 3 nurses just transfered over from the Army. They were tired of being deployed 16 months at a time while watching Air Force nurses come and go every 3 months.

Good luck

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
Hi,

I am new to this forum, but I am also newly "commissioned" in the Army Reserves as a 1Lt.

1. "I was told there's no basic training but now I'm reading here that you go to an Officer's Training? Is that for Nurse Practitioners/Clinical Nurse Specialists as well? There's NO way I'll make it through any physical training at this point. I'm also concerned about finances".

Well, I was informed that OBLC is a requirement for all medical personel. Now I am not sure of the length, although it sounds like 3-4weeks. Check out the website:http://www.cs.amedd.army.mil/obc/

And you will be expect to run 2 miles, do sit ups and push-ups. Check out this website to see how many of each you will be expected to do--- http://www.hooah4health.com/4You/apft.htm

2. "My recruiter told me that my sign up would be 50,000 towards my student loans and 30,000 sign on bonus, then $1,589 a month for one weekend a month. OK, that's wonderful, but I'm confused as to what I'll get if/when I'm deployed (also, do you get paid for the two weeks per Summer?). I can't go below the 83,000 I make now as a civilian".

Well, I don't know what your payscale would be--but those numbers seem a bit ambitious, --Here is the D.O.D. website for payscales--click on "reserve". You may be an "O-2 or O-3" Depending on your degrees and years of experience. http://www.defenselink.mil/militarypay/pay/bp/index.html

Yeah, you might needs some clarification from your "health care recruiter"

Good luck

cindy

Hi,

I'd heard recently that even for reservists the training would merge, (may not have happened yet) with the AD. When I went through last fall it was more than 7 weeks total.

When it came time for my own health professions loan repayment time, the check cut was for less than 30K, (yes, I pay taxes on it as if it were income). I am currently trying to "disenroll" from this and return the check or stop payment on it, not worth it at all especially in light of the THREE year long obligation incurred.

I do hear that Psych NPs are in HIGH need.

Lastly, do not worry about the PT, just keep trying and trying and you will get there, if you are not there at first, just keep trying, it should not hold you back! Many folks are not able to right away, some never but, keep trying because it will indeed become a condition of employment. With that said, there are folks I know of that have never passed their AFPT, it may hold you back from certain things but, accessing in may not be one of them. :)

Best,

Gennaver

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Specializes in NICU,Cardiac Progressive Care.

Hello, I am new to enlist as well and am in the process of the paperwork. My recruiter told us that upon signing a 3yr contract they would pay 50,000 towards my student loans and upon signing a 6 yr contract they would pay 50,000 towards my student loans and I believe 15,000 sign on bonus. Now the tuition would be paid in increments over a 3yr period and the taxes would be deferred. The first installment on the student loans would be 20-20-10.The first installment would not be made until after the completion of your first year. The sign on bonus would be paid in increments as well 5-5-5. Please if that is not correct let me know. Thanks littlesiss

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Hello, I am new to enlist as well and am in the process of the paperwork. My recruiter told us that upon signing a 3yr contract they would pay 50,000 towards my student loans and upon signing a 6 yr contract they would pay 50,000 towards my student loans and I believe 15,000 sign on bonus. Now the tuition would be paid in increments over a 3yr period and the taxes would be deferred. The first installment on the student loans would be 20-20-10.The first installment would not be made until after the completion of your first year. The sign on bonus would be paid in increments as well 5-5-5. Please if that is not correct let me know. Thanks littlesiss

Hello:

You do have to pay taxes on the loan repayment (as it were income).. Also you won't be enlisting. You would receive a commision and become a

officer. :nurse::redbeathe:nurse: Good luck, keep us posted!!!!!!!!!

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Specializes in Trauma ICU, WOCN, OB/GYN,.

Hey JamesBee,

so glad to have found you :yeah:! I am from a relatively small town far away from any AF base and I don't know anybody to talk to :no:

I graduated nursing in 1984 and have a whole slew of experience, including Trauma ICU. I am at the point now where I want to join the AFR, but the recruiter is not calling me back... I guess they are busy... but I am persistent, LOL...

The only AFR career I am interested in is as a Flight Nurse. Did they hire you in as a Flight Nurse? What is a Clinical Nurse? It sounds like a step-down for my skills... When they promise you loan repayments and such, is that a guarantee or do you have to apply for that and possibly fall through the cracks?

Thank you so much for you input, James and everybody else that may have an answer :up:, and good luck to you all:)

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I'm confused. with the payscale posted for the 1LT is the $354 your monthly paycheck or weekly?

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At the top of the military pay chart (i get it from Army Times) It says:

The drill pay rates shown are for four drills, a typical weekend for reservists. Drill pay rates effective Jan. 1:

So, under most circumstances that would be your monthly pay, of course you would get active Duty pay during deployments and, I believe, annual traing periods.

LA40

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-LA40 - sounds like she wrapped it up.. also now you can have year round access to military posts/bases and the facilities within... as well as option to buy tricare insurance for you and your dependents.

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Just for the record... LA40 is not a she ;)

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