PsychNPCNS

Hi Ptjones.. Can you elaborate on this? I'm considering joining the reserves and am over 50. What is it about the Navy and Air Force that is an improvement on quality of life vs. the Army? Thanks so much

Hi Rholman, I'm 53 and the Army is waiving my age for the Reserves. I think it depends on your specialty and their need, though. I'm a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner/Clinical Nurse Specialist and they're in dire need d/t PTSD. Good Luck!

Hi I'm considering the Army Reserves, entering as a Psych NP. It's been a dream of mine for a long time (very long...I'm 53!...they're waiving my age and the board told my recruiter to sign me up at all cost - they'll let me do my one weekend a month in my hometown and base me locally, even let me use the time at my job in a Vets Home as time served on weekends, if need be). I'm a little concerned as I hear some recruiters glaze over the hard facts. I was told there's no basic training but now I'm reading here that you go to an Officer's Training? Is that for Nurse Practitioners/Clinical Nurse Specialists as well? There's NO way I'll make it through any physical training at this point. I'm also concerned about finances. My recruiter told me that my sign up would be 50,000 towards my student loans and 30,000 sign on bonus, then $1,589 a month for one weekend a month. OK, that's wonderful, but I'm confused as to what I'll get if/when I'm deployed (also, do you get paid for the two weeks per Summer?). I can't go below the 83,000 I make now as a civilian. Lots of newbie questions, I know, but I'm not sure where to go to get all the answers and would really appreciate some guidance. Any Psych NPs out there serving in the Reserves? What kind of experiences are you having? Did anyone enter as new graduate NPs? Were you thrown right into writing scripts or did someone take you under their wing? Thanks