scmatt83

GET IN LINE EVERYONE!!.. They need to revamp the system. Everyone who wants to go should go to the head of the line!! This "volunteering system" isn't that impressive to me. We try, they say no!

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: Just a heads up on the residency program. I just finished it, or at least our medcens version of it. The whole concept is great, sure, but it doesn't make sense from a logistics point of view. We spent one month improcessing, then 3 months going from place to place in the hospital. Places like ER, ICU, Cardiology, PACU, OR, Same day Surgery, Med/Surg, 10 different care clinics. Trust me, on the second day you are going to think you are back in nursing school. You just observe everything, I and the people I was with wanted to get in and start nursing/patient care. Every floor has a different computer system, different ways things are run. They can't teach you that in the days you are there, usually two, so you just observe. The next day somewhere else. The LT's already on the floor can't go to there course till you get there to the floor and are oriented. So that sets them and you back a whole year. And as far as the course guarantee, it is a bit misleading. First of all, everyone who joins gets one, whether it says it in your contract or not. The length of the contract decides when you go. They like for you to go to a course with one year left on your contract. So if you have a 3 year contract, then at year #2 you would go. If you have a 6 year contract, then at year #5. So that means someone who has just been in the Army for two years would go, even if you have twice as much time in the Army. Not to fair. I have a three year contract and want to go to Anesthesia School so not really effecting me. But I see it happens. However, the patient load and work time is so much better as well as the training and benefits. GO ARMY!! Any questions at all, let me know.

SUNURSALA: You sound a little nervous about the whole OBLC thing! You will have a blast. Fort Sam is the best place to be, especially in March. You are going to want to wish you would have stayed after you get to your first post. Relax, meet lots of new people, and most importantly, HAVE FUN!!

FannieMae: I did my undergrad at WCU! I want to return there for CRNA school. What are some of your stats and what is the interview process like? I am currently in the Army Nursing Corps, when I apply I will have two years of ICU experience and a deployment to IRAQ in an ICU. However, I only have a 3.3 GPA, and take the GRE in May after some months of intense study. Should I take graduate level courses to prove I can handle CRNA school. Any tips from anyone, would be very helpful. Thanks in advance for your assistance!!

Help!!! Is it true that nurse deployments are only 180 days now? If so, how many should I expect in a 3 year service commitment. Also, can they guarantee critical care after being in for a year??? Just would like some assistance, I am going through the process now and don't know which branch to choose. It seems to me like the Army offers the best in regards to critical care experience but who the heck wants to be in IRAQ for 15 months!! Also the loan repayment program, that seems too good to be true, is it?? Thanks to whoever can offer some assistance!!!!