ArmyRN789

I would say it all depends on what you want to do with the degree. Do you want to be a hospital administrator or data analyst? If so, the healthcare admin degree is for you. If you want to implement, sustain or train hospital information systems, int...

Negative. In the Army the two are pretty clearly delineated. I have learned very well the difference between the two as I'm currently in a job where I do both. I am constantly pulled in two directions, doing very different projects. In the civilian w...

The ASVAB is used to determine your eligibility (or aptitude) for certain jobs in the military. You need to score a certain amont of points in each area to qualify for medic training. I can't remember what they are anymore, but your recruiter will kn...

Kinda what it sounds like. You do a lot of manpower, staffing, budget type of analysis. You get to know Excel spreadsheets really well :). Basically, you are the go-to data guy when the higher-ups need to make decisions on staffing and resources. A b...

Well, there are always volunteer opportunites or part-time weekend work if you have the time. Another good way to go is to join the Army or Air Force Reserves. You get to be a "real nurse" one weekend a month and two weeks every year. And no, I'm not...

That is alot to read. I can tell you from the Army's standpoint, they are starting to move away from placing nurse informaticists in the Dept of Nursing due to the fact that this limits their capabilities. They remain a nursing asset and can't reall...

I would say that if they miss patient care THAT much, then maybe informatics isn't for them. I know there are some that like to have their cake and eat it too by working part time on the floor, but most informatics positions do require a full time co...

And don't worry so much about the title of the MSN; informatics, information systems, systems analyst, etc. Just go for a degree that interests you and the jobs will follow. Informatics allows you to work in ANY area of information technology, not ju...

Speaking for myself, I loved patient care. However, I found I was spending MORE time every day showing other nurses how to use systems that could be so much more and so much better. This is where we as nurses can make an impact; helping our fellow nu...

I think you're right. It's probably due to it being such a relatively new field, but there are no strict subspecialties. In the Army we do have some (sort of). A Nurse Methods Analyst has the same identifier as an informatics nurse, but they do very ...

Also, think about not limiting yourself to just the Air Force. The Army may have more opportunities and if you apply for both, you double your chances!

I'm sure the market is very comepetitive, but if you can get hired at Balboa (San Diego Military Medical Center), it's a great facility!

When it comes time to look at colleges, think about applying to a school that has an ROTC program. I don't know how difficult it is to get an ROTC scholarship these days, but if it is anything like applying for active duty, it is probably pretty comp...

You should never lie on ANY job application, but if you are willing to lie to get into the military, I don't want you in my military. Be honest, ask questions, accept the answers and do what you need to do if they give you a way to get in (ie: stayin...

I know the Army is always lloking for critical care nurses, especially ICU nurses. Get in touch with a nursing recruiter (not a regular recruiter) to get answers. You should have one for your region. GoArmy.com should get you there within a few click...

I know the Reserves used to only require an ADN, but that may have changed. You could be commissioned through the Reserves while working on your BSN and then transfer to active duty. Keep in mind though, it is difficult to get into active duty once y...

I am a prior service Army nurse with almost 14 years active time. I got out in 08 to go back to school and now I'm trying to get back in. I transferred to the Reserves and will be submitting my packet for AD next week. Did anyone in the same situatio...

After you obtain your Masters, you can request to attend the Health Systems Functional Proponent course at Fort Sam. It's a two week course that will qualify you for the identifier. Keep on mind it is very difficult to obtain a position as an N2. The...

I'll make 14 years next month. I went to ODU FROM 99-01. The weekend program was two years, you just don't get summers off. I would do it again in a second!

I went to ODU! You would love it! Do they still offer the weekend program??

Bragg is not bad and the hospital is an actual MedCen. It does get cold in the winter though! So is this typical that they give you three choices to choose from?? Did they ask for preferences beforehand?

I have a couple of standard waivers pending before I can get my orders to come back into the Army. My question is for all of you that have had waivers when you came in. How long did it take to hear whether or not they were approved? I have age and ra...

Approved! :) I sign my DA 70 tomorrow so who knows how long it will take to get orders now.

How long did it take for your waiver to go through once it was submitted?

I also will not have to attend BOLC since I wen to OBC in 2002. I also should come back as a CPT once my rank waiver is approved. It seems to be taking forever though! You are lucky you get to keep your Reserve rank! I would prefer to be stationed do...