ANC_Maj

Absolutely. 100%, without a doubt. Probably wouldn't even need to be "ordered" (the Army has a volunteer system for deployment). The year I was deployed was likely the most professionally gratifying year I have spent as a nurse.

You would start as an officer in the rank of 2LT (Army or Air Force) or Ensign (Navy). Army Recruiting is offering loan repayment and/or bonuses. Contact your local health care recruiter for the details. Congratulations on your decision to join the Military Medicine family! ANC_Maj

The civilians that work at any of the military medical facilities (such as NNMC or WRAMC) take care of the same patients that the military nurses provide care for. The civilian nurses are the glue that hold these facilities together - they are the continuity necessary to keep facilities running. The military staff can turn over as frequently as every 2 years. In the unit I currently am in, I have 73 assigned personnel and only about 25 are active duty. Hope that helps and thank you for your interest in caring for our wounded warriors! ANC_Maj

The Army program at Ft. Sam Houston, TX (San Antonio) is accredited by the UTHSC-Houston school of nursing and allows a select number of slots per year for the VA system. I would contact your education office for specific details about how to apply and check out the guidelines for application at http://www.anesthesia.med.va.gov/anesthesia/page.cfm?pg=52. Good luck to you! ANC_Maj

I too have been at BAMC (1995-1997). I have been to Madigan and Ft. Lewis, but know nothing about DDEAMC or Ft. Gordon. Feel free to ask specific questions either via PM or open forum. ANC_Maj

You do have a unique situation! I've not heard of anyone coming back AD after retirement from USAR/ARNG. So, I can't offer any advice or wisdom unfortunately. Good luck in navigating the system and I hope it all works out for you. What could we do to sway you back to the Army? We (as in the federal nursing services, not just the Army) are always in need of good officers and nurses! Keep us posted. ANC_Maj

I've not known the o-chem or biochem requirement to be waiverable. It is to your advantage to take either course (USUHS prefers o-chem) as it will assist you in understanding the complex pharm and physiologic principles necessary to be an anesthesia provider. I believe you do not have to have completed the course at the time of application - but you must demonstrate that you are enrolled and are in the process of completing the requirement. You may wish to cross post (if you haven't already!) your question to the pre-CRNA board. There are several military CRNA students and graduates that frequent that area. Corvette Guy and Wtbcrna are excellent resources that hang around here as well. It sounds like all of your other credentials are solid - however make sure you shoot for more than the minimum qualifying scores (500/500/3.5) on the GRE to make your packet stronger. I've heard anecdotally that it is slightly easier to get accepted from Active Duty rather than as a civilian direct accession or USAR. Best of luck to you and congratulations on your decision to join the ANC! ANC_Maj

This probably goes without saying at this point, but make sure you are working with a Healthcare Recruiter - it does make a difference. If something you hear from the recruiter doesn't sound right, check it out by asking around. Also, it wouldn't hurt to blatantly ask the question "What will my rank be?" OK - as far as the pushups are concerned, you were right no "girl" pushups for this man's Army! Here are the standards for passing and "maxing" the APFT for your age and gender 2 mile run - 24:00 pass, 17:36 max Push-ups - 10 pass, 34 max Sit-ups - 30 pass, 66 max Good luck and please share what you learn from the recruiter. ANC_Maj

Congratulations on your decision to enter the ANC! I am hesitant to identify any one facility as the "best Army Medical Center" as they all have different flavors and opportunities. I will tell you that I have been assigned at Brooke AMC (San Antonio), Walter Reed AMC (Wash DC), and facilities in Korea and Germany. All of the experiences were excellent and different. I suspect that everyone you ask will give you a different opinion on which is the "best." My advice is to be assigned to a large MEDDAC or MEDCEN for your first assignment. Those tend to offer the highest volume of acutely ill/injured patients so you can fine tune and hone your knowledge base, critical thinking abilities, and clinical skills. Feel free to PM me for facility-specific information. Good luck! ANC_Maj

Welcome to the ANC! I don't know much about Ft Bliss or WBAMC - but am headed there myself this summer. Feel free to PM me and I can fill you in on what I know so far! ANC_Maj

Another great resource is www.onestoparmy.com. Nice repository of information on all the installations CONUS and OCONUS. Some of the installations have information on both on and off post housing. Good luck and welcome to the Army Nurse Corps! ANC_Maj

I find it interesting that you would presume to know my thoughts on the subject. AND I do get the distinct feeling you are "fishing" for opinions and responses to spark a debate. A debate, I might add, that no military member currently serving should entertain.

Count me in as an "imbecile" too I guess. If the definition of imbecile is patriot, proud to serve their country and support the Soldiers, then I guess there are worse things to be! ANC_Maj

Good thought on the posting of branch of service, MOS/ANC. Perhaps a new thread should be started.

I can't speak for TX-RN-FNP, but while I was deployed (also OIF1), the ANCs helped out with all additional duties as well - TCN guard, night AOD, sandbag duty, and whatever miscellaneous duties came up. We actually had a "duty platoon" each day that each ICU/ICW was responsible for sending 2-4 people out for each day. For me it was a nice change of pace to be out doing the various duties, gave me some perspective, and I think it helped build camaraderie especially as the BOG days (and the temperature!) hit the triple digits and kept climbing. ANC_Maj