Beanseye RN

Make no mistakes, Pyxis, and I assume Omni-Cell, track everything you do. 7 years ago I was tasked with reviewing med recs of patients of nurses who statistically gave more narcs than average. There are always variables, but understanding what is done vs what is right can help prevent issues. I know some nurses are more likely to give meds than others. I've seen nurses lose everything for diverting. There is a road back to practicing again. But it is tough and humiliating and VERY EXPENSIVE emotionally, financially, and professionally. Trust broken may never be regained. Work options become very different. Best wishes.

Tracy, Clogging the post is what it's all about. People asking questions ... questions others are wondering about and those that we didn't think of yet... getting answers. As a service to everyone, unless it is actually too private or too personal OR too far off topic for the thread, you are cordially invited to ask away. Brian

Hey thanks for getting my hopes up!... No, not really. I have been staring at the minimums for 2 years. But thanks for thinking about setting me straight. :) Brian

I didn't say I run well. I said I run faster if someone faster than me is running and I push to keep up. Sometimes it works better than others... I only need a time of 18:42 to make 60 points. Age has a very few but pleasant perks. :deadhorse :usarm:

Just cause and 68Wife-RN, Yes, you explained it just fine. Thanks. Like I mentioned, I run much faster if I have a faster pacer to push me along. Thanks. Brian

Just wondering about how the run is conducted. Do you run with others on a track or course? I know from experience, I run faster when I run with faster runners. Thanks for the insight. Brian

Yes, this was very helpful. Thank you both for both your help and your service! Brian

"make sure that you get the generic course guarantee" care&joy, what is the generic course guarantee you referred to ? i hope to have my packet ready for selection boards soon and oblc in january. i've done ms/tele and charge for the last 5 years. i hope to enter as icu to ultimately train as crna and serve until i can retire. thanks, brian

Thanks WTB. I will have to hammer that one out. CRNA is not a deal breaker at this point. However, I'm almost ready to submit packet to RN Board (was supposed to be this month, but next is more likely). But entry a year later is a thought (if that's what you are suggesting) vs. at least 2 yrs before being able to apply to the program which would prob = 3 yrs. My HC Recruiter is checking on the audiometrics, I'm just looking for additional input. ... Please clarify, are you advising deferring entry into the Army to get the ICU experience or entering as an ICU nurse and applying when I meet the criteria? Thanks for your assistance and your service.

My direct commission packet is almost complete. I was looking at options for the CRNA program. I meet criteria for CRNA selection except the 1 year of critical care experience and GRE in last 5 years. GRE should not be an issue. My question is if I commission and train in ICU, might I be able to get the CRNA program written into my contract or must I wait for the 2 years on station and just apply later? I would rather not try to delay entry. Or get a Delayed Entry. AND the CRNA application info lists audiometric standards as possible DQ even if you pass MEPS audiometry. The AR that is referenced is not specific to any program. Does anyone have any insight on this issue? Thanks for your assistance and service.

I am not sure how you might transition, but there are many "fast-track" programs that allow individuals with a BS/BA to earn a MSN in about 2 years. But it might be a path to consider. Brain

For what it's worth, I spoke to an AF Medical officer recruiter who abandoned me. I tried calling and emailing but perhaps he got shipped out somewhere OR didn't want to tell me that the SG of the AF declined to give a waiver. Anyway, I got waivers for age and glaucoma and I'm also color blind (R-G) from the Army on short order. Never give up. Brian

OTD2, Just to be sure, you are aware that the link above is for FY (fiscal year) 2008 and most of the classes (1-3) have passed. United States Federal Fiscal Year: 1 October - 30 September Brian

FYI: For simplicity and the above link was not exactly direct. Link to Army OBLC schedule for FY 2009: https://atrrs.army.mil/atrrscc/courseInfo.aspx?fy=2009&sch=081&crs=6-8-C20(AN66)&crstitle=NURSE+CORPS+OFFICER+BASIC+(OBLC)&phase= Brian

Hey Kelly, Age waiver, poor color perception (no waiver needed for RN), glaucoma, Planning on ANC OBLC in October. Never Give Up! Brian

You are still a puppy! I have always wanted to join the military. I was 29 when I realized my family would have starved to death if I joined the USMC. I was 34 when I was divorced and back in school preparing for my Nursing education and the Army was only willing to give me administrative positions because of my color perception. Now I have my BSN and 5 yrs as an RN and will be joining the US ANC this year at 43. If you are lucky enough to grow old and able to reflect on your life, you will not regret what you did. You will regret what you didn't do. Go for it.

Qualified? Certainly sounds like you are. A better question would be why wouldn't you be qualified? I'm 43, a BSN for 5 years in med-surg. I took my MEPS 'over 40 physical' last Fall. Had to get waviered for open-angle glaucoma. Biggest problem I had was trying to remember every medical event I had in my whole life during the medical interview. I will likely be at OBLC in October after I get vested at my current job. The site to find the schedule for OBLC in FSH (and all training for that matter) is: http://www-tradoc.army.mil/ Thanks and good luck. Brian

MayLadyBug, I believe you will need to act quickly if you truly want to make this happen. With your LPN, I think the reserves are possible. But the issue is how close you are to your 46th birthday. You would be enlisted, but as a Reservist you might be able to finish your Nursing school. Are you in an ADN, BSN, or an MSN program? I'm sure there will be more knowledgeable responses, but I have just spent the last 10 months snaking my way through the process of trying to join the Army Nursing Corp. I am 42, have glaucoma (well controlled, no deficits), color perception deficiency, but the big hold up was that I had elective middle ear surgery 10 years ago. It almost ended my chances of getting into the Army. Get focused and meet with a recruiter (I would try a healthcare recruiter first) they are NOT regular enlisted or officer recruiters. Good luck and Thanks to you and all for helping keep this country free. Brian

Hey... update time. Went to MEPS in June. Glaucoma was waviered. I had middle ear surgery '98 to improve hearing (too many ear infections as a child - was elective surgery) Awaiting MEPS referral to ENT to reclear my hearing (passed audiogram at MEPS). My ENT doc retired shortly after my surgery so no records from pre-op exam. Stalled in a holding pattern... Brian

gen, this is how i understood it> " brian, here are the next two dates for obc: ....report ........start .........finish #1 5-aug-07 ...6-aug-07 ...23-sep-07 #2 8-oct-07 ...9-oct-07 ...24-nov-07 " i checked the atrrs site and as of today the 08 oct class still shows as the last class. i don't think it has been updated though. time will tell. i still can't go to the 05 aug oblc. brian

gen, i'm not sure what you were told, but i read they hold oblc 5x/yr. to quote my recruiter: " brian, here are the next two dates for obc: report start finish 5-aug-07 6-aug-07 23-sep-07 8-oct-07 9-oct-07 24-nov-07 " i look forward to meeting you if we end up training together. beanseye rn

Thanks Military Girl for both your insight and your service. I just got wavier for glaucoma to green light a trip to MEPS. Will get answers soon. Any suggestions for these final stages? If all goes well, I expect to do OBLC in October.

Thanks Gen, I'm glad things have finally worked out for you... I read about your trials trying to commission. Good luck. Beanseye RN

Thanks and good luck. Beanseye RN

Thanks. Do you directly know nurses pulling the long or short deployments? As I mentioned above, I would like to separate the rhetoric from the facts... to make my choice based on the truth. "As with all recruiters be careful...they try to give you only the positives." I am aware... they have a job to do and though dishonesty is not acceptable, spinning a bit should be expected. Thanks for your service and good luck as a gas-passer. BeanseyeRN