Waiting_28

Thank you for the kind remarks. My sister and her husband and children live in Benton. You are correct, RLC is a great school, with an excellent ADN program. Like you said, I will just wait it out and join after my BSN degree. Thanks again!

My packet for the Reserves was at board this week. I too will be starting my BSN program this Fall through McKendree University in Lebanon, IL. It is accredited by the NLN. However, I finished my ADN this past Spring in May, took my boards June 18th, and passed. I have been working as an RN now for about a month. My ADN school (Rend Lake College) was a great school, with excellent staff. But, it was not accredited by the NLN. The board now says i'm not able to do the Reserves because of this. My recruiter, who is great, is working this but it is just frustrating, as it is one thing after the other. I don't see why this should matter one bit as my BSN school is accredited and I will not be activated until I hold my BSN degree, which will be August of 2010. Anyone ran into this issue before? Thanks!

I heard it takes anywhere from 30-60 days. Let me know when you get it, that should give all of us some sort of timetable. Thanks and Good Luck!

Interesting topic here everyone, dug this up. What's everyone's opinion now? Pay, with the tax free benefits, insurance, housing that military nurses receive vs. the overtime civilian nurses can pick up, who really makes more? Interesting discussion.

My goal is to become a CRNA. The Army is paying for me to finish my BSN and I will commission next August, 2010. However, i'm concerned that I won't get the critical care 16-week course that I will need to eventually apply for the Army CRNA program. First question is, how likely is it that the Army gives you your choice of jobs (i.e. Critical Care course after OBC)? Second, how tough is it to get in to the Army CRNA program as an active duty BSN? I'm trying to weigh my options and want to know the best route. I haven't oathed yet and spoke to a reservist CRNA this morning who told me to go ahead and get my BSN as a civilian and then try the STRAP program to pay for CRNA school. What does everyone think? Opinions? Thanks for everything, this site has been a lifesaver.

Yes, Active.

I hope I get the Critical Care course when I go in. I will have a year of Med/Surg experience behind me. Does the Army usually try and give you what you ask for? I know there are no guarntees, but have heard that you can usually get what you put in for because they want you to stay beyond your 4yr. commitment. Can anyone shed more light on this? Thanks!

Thanks Renee4christ! I have my ADN now, graduated last week. Was then accepted into the ANCP as I had worked on my packet the entire spring semester. I will be taking my NCLEX next month and starting work as a Med/Surg nurse. I chose the Med/Surg route because I am taking 3 summer classes and then 3 more straight semesters to finish my BSN. I am considering the Reserves because I can get a feel for the Army way of life. I can afford the BSN program because I will be making a little more money as an RN. So, the ANCP money would be money I could put away. However, I'm just not sure about active duty right now, with being so busy the next year and a half. I want to serve, but can't figure out if maybe the reserves would be the best route for now. Confused guys, it's a big decision. Thanks again for everything, this site is a lifesaver.

Here's my dilema...I was accepted for the ANCP program, but I am afriaid that active duty is not right for me for now because I am afraid I won't get the critical care experience in the Army and be able to apply for the Anesthesia program. I want to serve my country, that's for sure. But, I just don't know if the Reserves or Active Duty is right for me now. I am going to be finishing my BSN this Fall (3 semesters total) and will be done in August of 2010. IF I take the ANCP deal, I will then commission and leave, not knowing what speciality I will get. With the Reserves, I can finish my BSN while serving my country, then if I choose, I can go active duty. I don't know what to do guys/gals. Any advice? Thanks!

Or are they still accepting candidates for this fiscal year? I wasn't sure. Thanks in advance everyone.

Hey there everyone, I was hoping all of you who have been to OBLC at FSH can give me some ideas of what to expect. I read somewhere else that you are allowed to have a car down there? Also, how many days a week do you do PT? Is most of it classroom work? How long is OBLC? Also, i've had a few people tell me that civilian pay as a RN is quite a bit more than what i'll be making as a 2LT RN, is this true? I know the benefits and the honor that comes with being in the Army will outweigh it, just curious of the payscale. Thanks everyone for your help. This site has been awesome.

Thanks for the congrats! I am in the ANCP, so I don't leave until after my BSN is complete, which will be in August of 2010. So, right now, I am in the IRR.

I just received word this evening that I made it into the Army Nurse Candidate Program. Don't give up though, and it's good that your recruiter is on the case to find out why. If you keep pursuing it, there could be ways to still obtain it. Good Luck!

Nevermind! I got the call this evening. I made it in! I am a member of the ANCP. Thanks to everyone for all their replies and help.

I am applying for the Army Nurse Candidate Program, and I'm not sure what identifier that is. Does anyone know? My recruiter told me recently that this is still a critical program for the Medical Corps. Has anyone heard this? I can see how it is different because I will not commission until I finish my BSN program in August of 2010. Any answers/advice on this on how to deal with my recruiter would help. Thanks so much!