sch983

That may be true. I haven't researched Air Force. I think the tattoos on my arms are an automatic disqualification

That's another excellent bit of insight Pixie. I'm assuming Id have to get my CCRN before I can be considered for ISP if they still offer it. The only real reason I worry about the monthly number really is my substantial student loans and quite a large burden that I incurred during the aftermath of hurricane sandy with helping my family rebuild. Right now through my job my health insurance is near free as I'm the only one on the plan.

The recruiter made it sound like that because I have over 1000 hours in this year alone in the ICU I might be alright. The reserves definitely seems like it gives me more latitude as far as keeping my ICU skills up. It certainly would have been fun to travel as active duty. Another thing to unfortunately consider would be the pay cut of going active duty, its pretty substantial which is why I was curious about the incentives. I don't control the powers that be so I'm doing my best to make an informed decision

Oh wow. My recruiter didn't mention anything about the Army being over strength at the moment. I have the required numbers of hours. At least 750 in the last year. It would definitely be a bummer not to work in the ICU since I enjoy it so much. Of course the incentives would've been nice as well if they were still available. Maybe ill consider the reserves a little bit more heavily now since I'd be able to maintain working in the ICU.

Hey Everyone! Hope you all had a good 2015! I am an RN here in NY with three years of Med/Surg (Tele) Experience and almost a year in the CTICU. I was looking to join the military as an RN, I've met with the recruiters and I am now trying to decide whether or not to go Reserves or Active Duty. I really have my hear set on continuing to work in the ICU if I go Active Duty. What can I do to better increase my odds of getting one of those slots? I plan on taking my CCRN. Does anyone know if an accession bonus/what incentives are being offered for commissioning if any at all? Thank you.

Good luck I'm taking mine at 2pm tomorrow I can empathize with you big time right now. On the upside all my friends have passed so far so I'm feeling a little hopeful.

What made the test so difficult in comparison to review material that's out there?

All my friends from school have all passed with 75 questions so far but I have this waning sense of confidence about Thursday. I did well all throughout school and I got a 70 on the Kaplan Q Trainer and went through the LaCharity book but I'm getting a little disheartened hearing stuff we have never seen before gets asked on the test. I do really feel like I could prepare myself much more at this point besides memorizing the infection control mnemonics and some other basic things. I'll give it my best question by question if I'm unfamiliar with the topics they ask me about I'm going out on my shield with this one the NCLEX will not take me without a fight. =) Good luck to everyone else taking it this month as well.

Bump...still not sure

300 bucks is a little pricey but I'd make the sacrifice is people seem to agree it's helpful. What I've gathered from my readings on the internet is that Kaplan offers the hardest or "most NCLEX-like" questions. I already have their book along with LaCharity, Saunders 4th Edition, NCLEX 4000 and the allnurses studyguide. I'd rather spend time doing the hardest questions I could, I heard the 4000 questions were too easy compared to the actual exam.

Haha thanks guys this thread made me feel better. I only have three semesters left before graduation so I'll make due. I have Peds/OB in the fall, Psych/Community in the spring and then my final preceptorship where I shadow an RN at a hospital of my choosing in the fall of '11. I'm kind of on the fence on how I feel about OB after reading some of the posts here

I'm due to graduate in Dec '11 and it turns out for that particular year I'm going to be the only guy graduating with this class. The only 4 or 5 guys all managed to get left behind in a class somewhere along the line. Being the only guy in a classroom with 30+girls at any given time was a novelty at first, but after three clinical rotations thats really worn off and I just feel alone most of the time despite being friendly with my classmates. I feel like the girls gravitate towards each other when it comes to studying in groups and helping each other out in clinical's and I'm left to fend for myself. It would be nice to have some people to study or have conversation with on the regular. I feel like I learn the material better by having other people to bounce the material off of. Anyone run into a dilemma similar to this? I mean I enjoy going to class immensely because I find the material interesting I just feel isolated without actually being isolated if that makes any sense.

^^^ Pretty much what I gathered spot on. Army sounds like the better fit.

What kind's of questions should I ask and stuff I should look out for. I already know if it ain't in writing, it ain't. But beyond that I don't know anyone in the military or have any family members in the military so I'm kind of in the dark on what to really focus on. I don't know if its just me either but this board from the post's I've read in the last couple of days seems to be pro-Air Force for the most part. I just can't shake the feeling that the Army seems more interesting to me for some reason, like something in my gut says go Army. =) It'll all work out for the best I'm sure.

I wear glasses and I have astigmatism's, does this disqualify me from ever potentially becoming a military flight nurse? Are the physical requirements of a military and civilian flight nurse different?

Ah, awesome. Apparently the closest one to me is in East Meadow here on Long Island so its about fifteen minutes away. If I'm expected to graduate in December of 2011, when would be the recommended time to go speak with someone there?

I'm doing my Pediatrics/OB clinical in the Fall and I was wondering if anyone out there had any gems of advice/tips on the subjects. I'm looking forward to this after two semesters of Med-Surg!

What kind of recruiter would I need to talk to if I wanted to join the Army post-graduation? And do you guys recommend getting some experience in a hospital by where I live now before joining?

Hey everyone! I'm new here. I'm in my second semester of my junior year finishing up my BSN and I would like to join as active duty in either the Army or Air Force and can't decide which appeals to me more seeing as how either branch seems like a good choice. Most people say go AF due to the nicer living conditions, but that seems pretty secondary to me in comparison with the potential experience I could be getting from either branch. Anyone have any insight? I don't know anyone who's a military nurse or anyone in my class looking to join so any insight you all have to offer would be awesome. By the time I graduate I'll be 24 (I'm a guy btw) I also don't have any big familial obligations or anything like that either so I don't know if that makes the decision more challenging or not. Thank you for all your advice!