Cajun9479

Thanks for the reply. What has made you not to want to be a "lifer"? If I remember correctly, you are at BAMC, right? I recieved orders today and will be there soon! Looking forward to it and can't wait to get started! Cajun

Hey there Gen. Its good to hear from you again. I read your last posting about being put on night shifts early on and being deployed sooner than expected. Do you still feel as though you made the right choice? This maybe kind of a personal subject, I guess. I am sorry for asking and will have no negative answer if you do not answer. However, I am VERY close to swearing in and want to make sure this is the right thing to do for myslef and my family. Thank you for all your time and posts you have put into this site, I have learned a ton from you and others! Cajun

So we get bonuses after officer basic? What if we are reporting early before OLBC? My recruiter told me I should get it upon reporting to duty station, but I have learned thats not always right.

NICURN2B08, There is a Hurst book here in San Antonio in a bookstore that I read through. I know that my nursing class back home in LA went through the 3 day course and the only good thing about it was the explanation on "how" to answer the questions. As far as content, I liked the Saunders and Kaplan reviews better.

Sorry about the last post. I was at work and in a hurry. I meant to ask about PDAs and if they are allowed in military hospitals. Are cell phones allowed if they have a camera? I have a Treo that could be used as a PDA, but I thought I had heard something about not being allowed to bring something like this there.

Hello all! I recently passed the NCLEX-RN this past week. I failed it the first time earlier this year, and I am kicking myself for it. Although I am very blessed for the 3 months I've spent as a CNA, I wish I could have been working as an RN. One thing I wish someone would have told me before taking the exam was about the priority questions. I read something the week before the test that changed the way I took the test. Marlene Hurst (author of Hurst NCLEX review book) says in the first couple chapters, that the writer of the question wants to know that the nurse answering the question is a competent, safe PRO-ACTIVE nurse. By this she meant that when a question asked what would you do FIRST, or what is the PRIORITY, or INITIALLY, it doesn't always mean "assess". I always was tought that "We are nurses, and blah blah we assess and blah blah." Well, that caused me to fail the first go around. Mrs. Hurst says that these questions mean that if there was ONE thing that you could do to keep the patient safe, or, in many cases on NCLEX, alive, what would you DO? If the answer says to assess breath sounds, or assess vitals, make SURE there isn't an option that is giving a life-saving action. I STRONGLY recommend that you read this book (at least the first 9 chapters or about 175 pages.) It took me a few hours to read, and I guarantee that it is the reason I passed. It doesn't have the greatest wealth of nusing knowledge, but as far as test taking skills, this one beats them all. Just a little word I wished someone would have told me. Also, His almighty plan doesn't always agree or coincide with our's! I found this out the hard way. Me and my wife have grown leaps and bounds over the last couple months after failing the first one, but He will always be there with His hand on my shoulder loving me with all His might until we meet again in Heaven. Thank you Lord for showing me humility, humbleness, compassion, and unconditional love over the last couple of months; I sure am lucky to have you in my heart. Good luck all!!! Cajun

Wow, thanks for the great post! I am going in August to OBLC. If I already live in SA, do I still stay with everyone else? My recruiter told me I could stay at my house if I wanted. Is this correct? Do many have their own computers? Laptops? PDAs? Thanks for all the great info! Cajun

Yea, I will be in the March 23 class. Please let me know what your recruiter says, that would be great! Yea, I heard the $600 for clothing part as well, but I planned on using the $600 for ACUs and things. Thanks for your reply, and look forward to your answer from the recruiter. Eric

So I am leaving for OBLC March 7, and I have been told to have enough money to last me 2 months or so. What? Are there any options here? Isn't there advanced pay? If so, how long does it take to get it, and how much can you get? Just trying to be prepared if I need to save... Thanks! Eric

Hey LT Genn! I guess this is mainly for you, or anyone else in the Fort Sam area. I knwo that you are on here frequently and offer some good advice. So here is my situation: I recently recieved "temp" orders to go to OBLC March 7, and will be stationed at Fort Sam after, with a passing score on my NCLEX in Feb. I was wondering about the timing of everything. I am to report for inprocessing march 7, then OBLC starts March 25, I think. So when do I need to get there to set up and find a house? I graduate in about a month and there is a 2-3 month gap between graduation and leaving for San Antonio. I am wondering if I should just head out there after graduation and work in a hospital there until OBLC. Do you know of any good ones? Also, when do you start getting paid? Sign-on payment? I think your situation was similar to mine (new RN and new to the military) I have so many other questions, but I will just put these few up for now. Promise there are many more to follow, praying someone will have time to answer them. Thank you so much for your time, or anyone else's that can help me out! Eric

Anybody know the dates for next year's OBLC? I graduate in December so I was wondering if I get my PASSING NCLEX scores back in January sometime, when will I be looking at leaving. Eric

Wow, great to hear you made it Gen!!! I have been reading your posts and learning so much from them. Thanks for all the effort you have put into this site! I just recieved word that I passed boards, MEPS and everything else; and I am swearing in tomorrow. VERY excited to see that I am clear to go. I graduate in December and then after NCLEX I'll be there as soon as I can! I would love any information on things to stock up on now. I figure I can buy a few things here and there and that way when I get there I won't have to spend a big chunk of money I probably won't have. Uniforms? Shoes? Packs? Computer? Also, when did you find out where you are stationed after OBLC? I picked Fort Sam as my #1, but I'm aware that is up in the air. How long did you have to prepare to make the move? Thanks for all your great words and look forward to hearing back from you or anyone else that can help in this matter. Eric

$100,000??? Where did this come from? I am close to being an Army Nurse, but if this is out there.....

"May take a bonus of $25,000 with no student loan repayment. There is a 5 year commitment." I was told there is a 4 year commitment for the $25k sign on bonus. Also, I was told that is too late as a senior in Nursing School to sign up for the ANCP. That is a LOT of money to just let go if it is avaliable to me. Is this true? So, if you fail the NCLEX twice you go in as a pfc- infantry? ouch! Good luck in your journey! Cajun

I found when picking your specialty you have four choices: CC, L&D, psych, and OR. I was worried between ER nursing and CC nursing. I guess ER nursing is a specialty down the road.