Wisconsinbee

Rio Salado offers both online, with a microbiology lab. Pricey if you're not from Arizona but classes start frequently, take about 8 or 9 weeks, and are completely online.

Combination of all of it. There are four deployments, about to be a fifth; couldn't PCS together because my job required me to stay at a particular unit (not nursing), multiple training events at training centers, electing to go to IPAP and nursing school. To us it's all become normal. Often times we knew the separation would occur based on choices we made.

Yes. My husband is a PA and I am RN both active duty. So far AMEDD has been supportive, but we aren't in the situation you are talking about. He's with a battalion and I'm at a hospital. You most likely won't be in the same chain of command or be in the situation that one would rate the other as you will both be starting out at the same junior level and rise up together. If the same person rates both of you it's usually not that huge of a deal, it happens more than you may imagine. The one really nice thing is the branch managers actually know each other, they told me their office is next to each other, when we were working on our assingments. Really right now the biggest concern for both of you is getting into and through the programs not "what if's" many years down the line. Getting into IPAP is not easy and finishing IPAP is even more difficult (about 50% failed out of my husband's class), accelerated BSN's aren't a walk in the park either -- I did one myself. If you are both in school it will likely be the most stressful time for both of you and for your marriage. After that happens you need to deal with the responsiblities of two careers and what the means for your family and the always present, "needs of the Army". Right now he is subject to needs of the Army, not you. If you're dual military you are both subject to needs of the Army and rarely will either command care how that fits into your life. Many dual military stop being dual military when babies arrive because, unless you have an amazing support system, it becomes too difficult dealing with both careers and the family responsiblities. I know that was an answer to your actual question and then some unsolicited advice but we've been dual military our entire marriage and have spend less than half of it together due to needs of the army -- and we've been married for nearly a decade. So I always warn people! Good luck to both of you getting into and finishing the programs. The Army can be great, but it can also be very sucky.

I'm at one of those larger Army MEDCENs and we do have a cardiac cath lab however, to the best of my knowledge, it's staffed completely by civilian nurses.

I would suggest a dog walker to let the pooch out during the day. Your dog will likely be home alone a lot if you start on a med/surg floor which most all new grad nurses do. Many of the hospitals do 12 hours shifts. It's unlikely you'll be able to go home for lunch as then someone else needs to cover your patients and running home likely won't be a 20 to 30 minute (including actually eating) affair. Asking someone to cover for longer than that on a daily basis will not be welcomed, and you may be seen as "getting over" and will quickly gain a negative reputation. The previous poster is right about up to two pets in gov't housing. However, as a single officer you will likely have to get an apartment off base as there are very few bachelor officer quarters on any base.

Officer and enlisted cannot have a personal relationships such as RN 1980 described under regulation AR 600-20 and the UCMJ, Article 134. However, the enforcement of either the regualtion or UCMJ is up to local commanders and they may be turning a blind eye due to the current OPTEMPO. Not to say they may not get more interested in enforcement in the future. It's definitely a no go if they are in the same command.

I paid for it out of pocket but it seems they work with military often.

SGT B I did not do the ECP but I did all my courses for nursing school while with the Army in Germany. I went through Rio Salado Community College in Phoenix, AZ and did everything -- A&P I & II, Chemistry, Micro etc -- online. It also should be very reasonable in price since you are on active duty. If I recall correctly they give active duty the instate rate of around $60 and hour. The website is www.riosalado.edu. If you are okay with online learning it might work for you. WIBee

One option I am aware of, besides having a unit that supports your educational efforts, is being accepted for a direct commission before the deployment occurs. According to the Army PPG , 2-8g(1) "An RC Soldier who has been notified of acceptance for a direct appointment before mobilization will not be mobilized with his or her unit." Depending on the timing and if you are planning to stay with the military this could help you. The full 200+ page regulation can be found at the Army G-1 website.

I could be incorrect. It wouldn't be the first time the Army has surprised me, especially when interpreting regulations! I was going off AR 601-141 which states the loan must be made concurrently with the attainment of the health care degree. Hopefully I'm reading wrong because that is a very sweet deal for you!

Carolina It's only nursing loans. You're on the hook for the rest.

You may also want to look into the ADHPLRP if the waiver becomes an impossibility. It pays for school and reasonable living expenses while in school on the back end for 3 years of service, but no salary, benefits, BAH/BAS while in school. Essentially you have to separate as enlisted and then rejoin as an direct commission officer. Just another option that is out there.

My husband and I are Army dual military, so I know of what I speak. If you are married when you join, you can enroll in the Army Married Couples Program. The medical recruiter should be able to help you with it. You each have to do one form, it's real easy. Those I know in the program, especially when in the same branch (ie both nurses, lawyers etc), have not had problems getting assignments together. But, as always, it's needs of the Army first and foremost. In my experiences, both personal and friends, the branch managers do try to keep spouses together because that makes people happy and they are more likely to stay in the Army. As for being separated for long periods, it's possible, so make sure you can deal with it. The good news for you guys as nurses is that the regulation has recently been changed so that nurses deploy for 6 month rotations. Of course there are exceptions, like if you're a brigade nurse, but if you're with a combat support hospital it's only 6 months. Hope that helps!