Ol Timer

I'm so happy you didn't take my note the wrong way DWILDCAT. As I said I'm also in the same boat and with a few months to get back into shape. So hang in there we will both be fine. And for rusty nail I agree with you. I often wonder where they get these "norms"'from. I know that if I weighed 160 people would start worrying about me thinking that I was anorexic.

I have been in your shoes on several occassions and I know how you feel. I don't want to sound rude, but instead of worrying about the tape test do you think that you might be able to loose whatever amount is putting you over the edge that makes you get taped. This way you wont have to worry about the tape or how different people may tape you.

I like hearing that, at least it keeps hope alive. Can't do it if we don't try.

Now that's funny. I haven't heard that since I left active duty. :)

I'm not 100% sure but I think that there is an Airborne Medical Unit at Ft. Bragg. And don't worry about the Airborne Tab over your unit patch. Most people in the military know that there are certain units that may not be all airborne but the patch has an airborne rider. Kinda like the 101st patch. That unit is actually an air assault unit and I guarantee you that know one gives any one in that unit any bad looks because their patch has airborne on it but that they may be legs (non-jump qualified). As long as the wearer doesn't think or act as though they are airborne just because it says it on their patch.

is enlisted life vs. officer life just as opposite as in the marines? as a prior enlisted in the army and a warrant officer in the army, i can tell you that i did see a big difference between the two. just as i also saw a difference between the warrant rank and the commissioned rank. it all depends on what it is that you want to get out of each. though the "amenities" get better, the higher you go in rank; i throughly enjoyed my time as an enlisted as well as my time as a warrant.

THanks jeckrn and ImThatGuy for all of your good information.

Kool. At least that gives me a little hope of getting back into an Airborne unit. I guess FST's are like the old MASH units.

Thanks for the info.

Thanks for the info.

Yes that is what I mean. I am trying to find out if anyone knows of any Airborne Nursing Units in the Army Reserves. Or any units that allow RNs to be Airborne.

LunahRN I remember in one of your previous posts that you said to get the uniforms BEFORE going to your duty station. But how do you know what to get and where to get it? Because I don't think that we can get stuff at clothing sales until after we have an ID (or orders I guess). Also, as an officer are we required to pay for everything ourselves? Thanks

RNMSN78 As I am still fairly new to this board and posting thing, but would it be okay for me to ask what state has this recruiter issue? Reading your post got me kinda nervous because I know that I will surely need an age waiver.

Hi mttzakr87, I would like to suggest to you to hang in there. Just think of all the work you have done and have already passed to get to the point where you are at right now. I understand that i can be very frustrating, but there are other options. Right now all you need to do is to study to pass the classes. Believe it not you will retain a lot just by doing that. As a supplement, get as many NCLEX testing books (with CD's) that you can and do the practice tests, start now. The NCLEX books will give you rationals. And no matter how bad you think you have it, there is probably someone else out there that has it worse. As an example, I am about to graduate (hopefully) in three weeks. At my school we are not even allowed to go over our tests, let alone get any rationals for incorrect answers. We have asked dozens of times for the school to change this policy but they will not. Apparently they had some big cheating scandal about 5 years ago and it has traumatized the entire staff. So we just push forward. Don't give up!

I really don't think that you have anything to worry about with your GPA. Like I said, I have seen people with worse GPA's at ABAC. But the bottom line is that you have already been accepted to a nursing school. CONGRATULATIONS! :yeah: And yes, ABAC does have a higher percentage of the graduates passing the boards than Darton does. I think part of that reason is our HESI exit exam. The school requires us to pass this test in order to graduate, where as other schools only require people to take the test, not necessarily pass it. We have been told that if we pass the exit exam (HESI) with a score of 900 or above, that the chances of passing the NCLEX on the first attempt is very good. I wish you luck with your decision. I am somewhat biased and think that you would probably learn and retain more at ABAC. This is just based on the posted passing rate at the Ga BON web site.

Yeah, I later found out that for most of the class that was taking it with me, it was their 2nd or 3rd time taking it, so they knew what to expect. But it's okay. I got into ABAC and I will hopefully be done in three more class days.:yeah::yeah::monkeydance::cheers::w00t::clpty::dncgbby:

Will do, thanks LunahRN. The worst that could happen is that they say no, which would be the answer anyway if I don't try.

Hello Smart99guy, I tend to agree with the other posts. Last year I was debating on which school to go to ABAC or DARTON. My GPA at the time was 3.9 so I thought that I would not have any issues with either schools. So Darton contacted me first and I went to take their entrance HESI exam. I had no idea what I was getting into so I bought the HESI entrance book, thinking that it would help me study for the test. Well the book is mostly math problems and worthless. It has about 20, yes 20 questions on A&P. So I thought okay this will be a breeze. I'm great with math and there didn't seem to be too much on A&P. Well let me tell you. . .STUDY YOUR A&P! And not from the HESI book. Study it from the books you bought for your A&P classes. Here is what happened to me. I took the test, got about 90% on all the subjects except A&P, where I got 80%. I was not accepted into DARTON. When I asked why, I was told that this is how they grade people to get in. First The highest grades in the A&P subtest of the HESI are accepted. Then from that group, the highest overall test grades (English, Math, Vocabulary etc) are accepted. Then from that group the ones with the highest GPA's get picked. So me with a 3.9 GPA was not even looked at or considered because my A&P subtest grade was only an 80%. So unless you score great on A&P they will not even look at your other grades or scores. SO STUDY HARD FOR THE A&P. Another option for you may be ABAC, they do not require an entrance HESI, but they do require and Exit HESI. Good LUCK!

Hello HADD7, I am in my last semester at ABAC. I am going through the bridge program and will be done in about 3 weeks. With regards to the GPA all I can say is that I had a 3.9 on my science cl assess, but I have spoke with individuals who only had a 2.9 and got in. It just depends on the number of students that apply and if you do the Generic (Basic program for individuals with no medical experience) or do the Bridge program (for LPN's, Paramedics, Respiratory Therapist, Surgical Techs etc.) I don't know much about the Generic program, but I know that the Bridge is hard, since we only go to school ONE day a week. So basically we sit all day long going over power points and then when we go home for the rest of the week; it is basically a self study time, though the instructors are available via phone or email. The tests are "unique". Each one is individually worded by the instructor that taught the class which can make for some interesting arguments after the tests. But it all depends on home much time you have to put into the study of each chapter. Bad thing for the bridge is that many of us are "older" and we have families and must work to pay the bills, which takes time away from studying. Though ABAC does not have an entrance exam. . .they do have an EXIT EXAM. This is not publicized a lot (don't know why). But if you do not pass the exit exam, you do not gradutae and if you don't graduate, you can't sit for NCLEX. You are given three attempts in the Bridge program. I was lucky and passed the first time. But I think that in our class of about 32 that maybe 5 did not pass, but I am sure that they will all do fine in a couple of weeks when they take it again. As ABAC is kind of backwards in this area. They teach a class to pass the HESI after the first test, not before. Well I hope this helps and if you have any specific questions just ask.

Hi, as an ACLS instructor, I can tell you that you do not have to wait until after your NC LEX to take ACLS. It is just usually recommended that new grads wait so they could get some experience. But if you feel comfortable with rhythm interpretation then go for it. Good Luck

Thank you LunahRN. As all of your posts have been "da bomb". You always have great information and are always very informative. Do you think that I may have an upper hand for the 66T track based on my Paramedic skills? This sounds like an area that I may want to try. And one last thing (for now :)) do you think that it is too early (since I still have a year to go to finish my BSN) to get in touch with a recruiter? Thanks

Thank you for the info and the uplift, this makes me feel a lot better.

Hello JustADream, Even though I am also in the process of completing my nursing school, I have been in the medical field for over ten years. So here are my . I would like to suggest to you to get some time in an E.R. especially if you can find a busy one or one that deals with trauma. I worked in an E.R. for about 5 years and that was some of the best experiences which I had. I don't know about you, but I learn more by doing things than just reading them from a book and doing things in an E.R. was very educational. Based on your comments, I think that you already know that an E.R. or ICU rotation would be something good for you. Just one last thought...if you like working in a fast paced environment then try the ER if you like a slower environment try the ICU, either one will challenge your critical thinking and skills. Good Luck.

Wow this doesn't sound too hopefull. Thanks for the update.

Hello Everyone, I am kinda new at this posting stuff but I have seen a lot of good information here, especially by LunahRN; thank you. But now to business. I am a 50 year old male, in good shape with about 10+ years of prior service. I will be done with my BSN by the end of 2012 and I really would like to go back into the Army (Reserves). I have read of "mature" individuals getting in the reserves, but I was wondering if anyone has heard of someone as old as myself getting in? My recruiter said it wouldn't be a problem, but many of us know how often recruiters exaggerate things. Also, what would my chances be with only about 1 year of experience as an RN by the end of 2012, but over 10 years as a Paramedic and ACLS instructor; does the Army even take my years as a Paramedic into account? Thanks in advanced for your help. Austin1 :redlight: P.S. Does anyone know of any Airborne Medical Units in the Army Reserves?