Nurse Corps Exclusionary Criteria?

[NightOwlPsyRN]

I applied for the Nurse Corps for the Army Reserves about 2 years ago. Did the whole process...but my recruiter stopped contacting me in terms of my status or proceeding further. So here are some things that potentially led up to this.

First, during my physical they sent me out to get my spine x-rayed for suspected lordosis. Turns out, I do have lordosis, 2 degrees higher then what the military accepts. However, my recruiter told me this wouldn't be a big deal and they would work on a waiver for that.

Second, I had a minor rash on my left leg that looks like psoriasis. Again, recruiter told me it wasn't an issue and would schedule an appointment for me to have a dermatologist look at it to rule it out. Again, something a waiver could fix.

Third, I have some superficial scars on my forearm, back of my right hand (mind you, I'm right handed), and on my stomach that all came from my cat. I'm also very fair skinned, and discolorations from any kind of trauma to my skin is significant. However, during my MEPS physical, I saw the nurse practitioner write down self-harm on her notes. Talked to my recruiter about this, she didn't think it was a big deal either...and even said she was a little shocked they wrote that, considering the scars very well could've been due to my field from assaultive patients.

So my question is, what could the reason(s) be that they didn't decide to proceed? I understand if I did self-harm that they would be hesitant in accepting me in the program considering the extensive nature of the field I was applying that I would have to be mentally/emotionally stable...but that isn't the case. Were they erring on the side of caution with this and think I was being dishonest? I was just left really confused, because my recruiter wouldn't return my emails or calls when I tried to follow-up...

I'm considering applying again, but if this is pretty standard for the military, I would like to know to save me from wasting my time.

Any info is greatly appreciated!

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

If you weren't formally disqualified, then you weren't formally disqualified. You should attempt to contact your recruiter again, and if you can't contact yours, go above them. Just be aware that any disqualifiers might take you out of the running in terms of being able to obtain waivers - the military does not just hand them out any longer in a time of drawdown and decreasing positions.