I am going to OBLC(active duty) in March 2010(my choice). I know it is over g months from now but I like to plan things and I have a few questions. Everyone and anyone who knows the answers please help...:wink2:
1. Does anyone know the March OBLC dates?
2. Exactly how long is OBLC, from the day to arrive to the day you leave? I though 10 weeks but then I read 9.
3. When does the graduation take place? Is it after the whole course or is it after the first 7 weeks before going into your specific track?
4. Is the graduation a big event, like something your family(husband and kids) should fly in town to see?
5. As a vegetarian/vegan, is there any advice fro me getting through OBLC and eating the MRE?
6. Finally last but not least as this is a very important question, when you leave San An how long before you have to report to your 1st Duty station,?I am confused about the timing of this but I will have to have time to get back to Missouri, pack up my family, get to Georgia and find a place to live.
Thanks to everyone who takes time out on their Labor Day to respond to my long list of questions, I still have more but will save for another thread.:wink2:
Specializes in Advanced Practice, Home Care, Med-Surg,.
Also the bonus and student loan payment I selected was based on me being a 66H. They did not have the same incentive programs for NPs I guess because the need isn's as big. The Army, from what I can tell, uses PAs much more?
It will be interesting to see how the Army responds in a few years when NP will be a doctorate level entry...I am sure that will decrease the supply of NPs.
Otherwise my hopes/plans are to pursue a PhD in which there are many online programs I am looking into now.
I am hopefull that since I am coming in as CPT, 66H, I will have the opportunity to rank up well in my 20 year career, but I am so new to anything military so I have much to learn!
Not sure the Army will pay for an "online degree" and personally.....an "Online Phd" program is *******' inferior. If you are going to put the time into a real doctorate......go for the real thing.....brick and mortar. (coming from personal experience here)
Specializes in Advanced Practice, Home Care, Med-Surg,.
Not sure the Army will pay for an "online degree" and personally.....an "Online Phd" program is *******' inferior. If you are going to put the time into a real doctorate......go for the real thing.....brick and mortar. (coming from personal experience here)
good luck,
c.
I'm surprised to hear that, there are many accredited universities with online programs for the real life adult learner, I have only really looked into Rush University and Capella(which is recognized by the military). I am here to learn though. I will be sure to post the outcomes when I get to that point in the future.
I went to an AA nursing program. immediately after graduating enrolled I in Drexel online. I graduated while gaining quality experience in critical care. The program was challenging probably more so than so called "brick and morter" schools. It required a tremendous amount of self motivation without the need to fight for a parking spot. From my experience online was the way to go. Instead of sitting in a classroom I worked in the hospital and made money while learning what nursing was truely all about. It offered me the opportunity to work full time with minimal lecture requirements. I would do it again for the MSN if my concentration allowed. I do agree that if I was going to get a PHD that it would at least be from a reputable school.
I wanted to respond to HopefulArmyNP..I am in school currently for WHNP and also thought I would be going in as a 66H as there is no "WHNP" in the army. My recruiter just had me sign papers the other day and he is putting me in as the "FNP" title instead. I still got to request loan repayment ect. I was extremely confused because I didn't expect it and to be honest, I'm not sure how its going to work. Seeing that you're an ANP, now I'm even more nervous as to why they did this for me and not you. He was saying that I will still work as a nurse, but that I can keep up my hours to maintain my WHNP license as well. Any ideas or input??
Specializes in Advanced Practice, Home Care, Med-Surg,.
I wanted to respond to HopefulArmyNP..I am in school currently for WHNP and also thought I would be going in as a 66H as there is no "WHNP" in the army. My recruiter just had me sign papers the other day and he is putting me in as the "FNP" title instead. I still got to request loan repayment ect. I was extremely confused because I didn't expect it and to be honest, I'm not sure how its going to work. Seeing that you're an ANP, now I'm even more nervous as to why they did this for me and not you. He was saying that I will still work as a nurse, but that I can keep up my hours to maintain my WHNP license as well. Any ideas or input??
I'm not sure you recruiter has that right. In order for you to be 66P on your assignment, you would need to take the slot of a 66P, that means the command where you are going would be willing to give up a slot for a FNP and take a WHNP which is a very specific scope of practice. With that said, if they have a need- such as in a OBGYN clinic then possibly they would be willing to do that. But when you put down your 3 choices, and the Officer that will call you to offer your 1st location, they will assume you are a FNP. You in return will need to explain the situation.
My 5 year cert period will be renewed for 2010-2015, during that time I will need to work some hours as an ANP to cert for 2015-2020. I have heard of other NPs doing that by working in a clininc at there hospital when needed- but enough to get the hours over the 5 year cert period. That may be more difficult for you since your scope of practice is so specific. Since your still in your program have you thought of changing to FNP?
Yes the NP did have student loan repayment, but the amounts of the bonus+student loans was higher for 66H, unless things have changed since the time I started getting my packet together.
Thanks for responding! I feel like i'm in a weird situation. I totally undertsand what you're saying, as that was what I thought anyways. I was surprised when he just told me this (as he told me before I would be a 66H). I feel like somehow this is going to get everything all messed up. I'm not sure what to do since I really do want the RN experience anyways. I would like to keep my WHNP certification, but I'm not sure how that will work either. I am still in school, but graduating in May and I do really like the WHNP specialty area. I kind of figured that I would figure it out in the future, concentrating more on the RN piece over the next few years. Not sure if I should contact him about this, he was reassuring me that I would be fine!
Specializes in Advanced Practice, Home Care, Med-Surg,.
Thanks for responding! I feel like i'm in a weird situation. I totally undertsand what you're saying, as that was what I thought anyways. I was surprised when he just told me this (as he told me before I would be a 66H). I feel like somehow this is going to get everything all messed up. I'm not sure what to do since I really do want the RN experience anyways. I would like to keep my WHNP certification, but I'm not sure how that will work either. I am still in school, but graduating in May and I do really like the WHNP specialty area. I kind of figured that I would figure it out in the future, concentrating more on the RN piece over the next few years. Not sure if I should contact him about this, he was reassuring me that I would be fine!
I don't think it would hurt to check again with your recruiter or someone else in the HR/assignment department. The LTC that called me with my 1st duty assignment basically told me what I posted to you, so that's where most of that information comes from. They did have an assignment I could take where I could work in the ANP role but that was in Ft Stewart, Kansas and that was not a choice of mine and I did NOT want to go to Kansas, so I excepted the 66H at my 2nd choice location. I just hope putting you down as 66P doesn't do more harm than good for you in the long run. I agree with you, I too am looking foward to the RN role again, but since I have been an ANP for 4.5 years I will need to "relearn" how to function as an RN. I can't wait to find out exactly what floor/dept I will be in. I will embrace all opportunities that come my way. The 66H has many options.
Yeah, I will definately be in contact with my recruiter. I'm thinking that I def. want to go in as a 66H. It's even more important for me because I am coming from a master's entry program, so unlike you, I don't have those years of experience! I appreciate your help, it reaffirmed what I was already thinking!! THanks!
I went to an AA nursing program. immediately after graduating enrolled I in Drexel online. I graduated while gaining quality experience in critical care. The program was challenging probably more so than so called "brick and morter" schools. It required a tremendous amount of self motivation without the need to fight for a parking spot. From my experience online was the way to go. Instead of sitting in a classroom I worked in the hospital and made money while learning what nursing was truely all about. It offered me the opportunity to work full time with minimal lecture requirements. I would do it again for the MSN if my concentration allowed. I do agree that if I was going to get a PHD that it would at least be from a reputable school.
I completely agree that online learning takes a ton of self motivation. Whether you choose to complete degrees "online or in-class settings" is a personal choice. I respect that aspect, personally for me I feel PhDs are very different from Masters, requiring co-hort and advisor input (in person). Research and dissertation development is best completed in person. My husband just completed his PhD.....I watched this process. Yes, you can do a Nursing PhD long distance, but you are really shortcutting the graduate experience.
I have one Masters -brick/mortar and another Masters 1/2 online, 1/2 brick/mortar....and currently in the Army CRNA program (brick/mortar)--I stopped my PhD course to attend USAGPAN.
For me, there is a huge difference in online degrees and in-class settings, therefore I would not choose a program with any online component,now. But, I did utilize online classes for some degrees.....whatever fits at the time :) !
hopeful army np, when did you go before the board for selection? how long did you wait before you received orders for your first duty station and to find out what oblc you're going to?!
i hope you've mostly got things figured out!! i know waiting is the hardest part! I think alot of people have lots of questions about oblc! :)
hopeful_army_NP
253 Posts
Also the bonus and student loan payment I selected was based on me being a 66H. They did not have the same incentive programs for NPs I guess because the need isn's as big. The Army, from what I can tell, uses PAs much more?