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 $$!

Anyone on this board in the Navy Reserves? I am interested in the Navy Reserves as well! In the process of applying now.

I agree, I am a civilian RN (hopefully that will change this year, looking into reserves). Coworkers and patients have crossed the line w/ me and other women in my facility. My friend who is a L&D RN said that is one reason she went into that specialty!

I am just now starting to feel things are clicking, but every week, still have "DUH" moments here and there or I will give a med I've never given and will have to look it up. I work with an awesome RN wh's been in the field for over 10 years (she's done it all, ICU, Peds, ER) & she just got her NP. I asked when shefinally felt comfortable, she said she still feels "somewhat scared & kept on her toes" each day only because we never know what trauma, or critical pt will come in. Even after all these years, she never wants to get to the point that she loses the state of mind where she doesn't think twice about meds/procedures.

I graduated Dec 08 and got my license in March 09, and still feel like a "new grad" on nights that I administer medications that I've never given (drips) or have orders for procedures I've never done (back then, it was access a port for a sickle cell pt, irrigate a Foley, apply plaster splint). I've started thousands of IVs and still miss sometimes. Don't beat yourself up, you are still in learning mode! Always ask for help if needed! It seems like the nurse educator was helping. Many Charge RNs still look after us "new grads" every now & then, and will bring to our attention if they see an error or suggest an alternative if we are making things harder for ourselves, I am thankful for it because I feel like it helps me learn and grow in this crucial 1st year. If she is with you again, take the opportunity to ask for feedback, suggestions, and ask for clarification if you need help with any policy/procedure. I started on nights and I think it helped me b/c it is a slightly slower shift which helped with my time management and when it got really slow, I had time to review meds, learn procedures, etc. This helped my confidence a lot. A few months ago, when I was struggling mentally & HATED nursing, there were a few mind tricks I played on myself that helped: 1. Have a goal for each week. (1 week, I reviewed cardiac meds; 2nd week was stocking my rooms before the shift, etc.) 2. Keep a positive outlook. (at 1st, it was reminding myself I had a job as a nurse & I can pay the bills. Now I asm glad I have this job due to meeting awesome staff) 3. I think of each shift as an opportunity to gain as much knowledge and skill as I possibly can. If I look for a new job next year, I will have experience and feel confident to take on a new job. 4. I drilled into my brain "ALWAYS remain calm & collected" for the entire shift, even if I have to fake it! Maybe there are some techniques you can develop for yourself! Best of luck to you. Hang in there, it gets better.

My 1st degree was a BS Exercise & Sports Sciences. I was in the fitness/health industry full time for about 3 yrs before I decided to get my BSN (chose BSN in case I wanted to get a MSN). I always wanted to work in healthcare & I thought nursing was a prestigious career. I don't regret getting my BSN but now I see "the big picture." I do enjoy it most days & I love that I learn something every shift. I regret it on the tough days when crazy pt's threaten me, or Dr's REALLY tick me off, or days I feel like I can never get caught up, etc. I'd love to get a Masters in the next few years, not sure if it will be in nursing or not. I still work part time in fitness & love/miss it but it definitely did not pay the bills; however, back then, I didn't have to work weekends/holiday, nor did I have spider veins LOL-I do miss that!

When I was in the process of going active duty for AF, I had a face to face interview with a chief nurse. She was very nice and asked great questions but she kept in mind I was a new grad so my experiences were different. I went in blind not knowing what she would ask. I suggest treating it like any other interview, put your best foot forward and practice interview questions and come prepared with any questions you would have. I was told the interview had a LOT of weight. I have since decided to pursue AF reserves because I realllly wanted ER experience and a great opportunity opened up and I want to be an AF flight nurse and this was the best route for me. Best of luck!! Let us know how it goes!

I just saw a recruiter and filled out medical paperwork while there and one of the questions included asthma. From my understanding, you would need a medical waiver from your physician.

Thanks for the advice guys! I am in GA, I filled out the online forms for all branches awhile ago. I also called those 1800 #s but the online help seemed to know only about enlisted opportunities. I am going to continue to call this week!! I didn't know Navy did tours of Navy hospitals! I have always wanted to see a Naval hospital. Is there an interview with a "Chief Nurse" like the AF?

Hi all! I graduated in Dec 08 and I'm currently an ER RN in a level II trauma center, I love it. I'm an AF brat and love the military lifestyle. I decided last year I want to join after earning my BSN, but I wanted the ER identifier & experience before joining. I'm still deciding between reserves vs active duty but ultimately I would love to be active duty. I owe the hospital 1 year, which is why I would want to do reserves now. I've contacted ALL 3 branches (health care recruiters) for more info, I feel like I've been stalking the AF and Navy, both active and reserve depts. I've called, left messages, called again, even emailed a recruiter, with no luck. I only got a hold of Army, who was nice enough to answer my 100 questions over the phone, I'm going to meet with them Thursday. Every active duty/retired in my family is AF, it would be nice to carry the torch with the AF but I have my sights on Navy. Is it normally this tough to get a call back from AF and Navy health care recruiters?!! Do you think they've made their quota for the year? I understand they're super busy, I just didn't think it would be this tough to get someone to call me back. I love reading through these posts, you military RNs give great advice. Hopefully I will be able to get in touch with SOMEONE soon and make a move towards the military!

Atlanta Medical is Level II Trauma center, I love it there! As of now, Grady (level I) is not closing its doors.