Question for Army Nurse Corps reservists/Navy nurse reservists

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I am in the process of completing the Army Reserve paperwork with a recruiter. Although my recruiter has been excellant, I know that their job is to get me into the Army. I have a few questions if anyone could answer..

1) I have an ADN, finishing BSN in Aug. W/o any prior military, would it be any benefit for me to wait until completing my BSN?

2) Also considering Navy nurse corps reserve. Any insight on which one would be better or is is just personal preference?

3) If deployed, what are the usual deployment lenghts?

I would appeciate any experience comments from reservists in the ICU specialty, positive or negative. I want to know what i am getting into, for my families sake. Thanks!

Chalon

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agmed,

If your military goal is to be in the army reserves then no real benefit of waiting to join until you get your BSN.. however if you plan on being active duty OR the initial training interferes with your BSN... then I would wait to join after your BSN is in hand.

Yes.. Army is better then the Navy (my bias) both are great options and simply user specific.

I'd ask if you are interested in going active duty and then put a packet together (now) for joining upon completion of your BSN in August!

v/r

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just_cause,

thank you or the info. At this point, I am only interested in the reserves. Deep down, I have always wanted to do military (out of high school) but was discouraged by family. Now that I am a littl older and with a family of my own I am trying to realize my dream. I think the military is a great way to complete some humanitarian work around the world, one of my dreams. Thanks!

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personally I would start my packet it now. Do physical, letters of rec, clearance paperwork etc - and plan on putting your packet forward when you have your BSN and ... the beginning of the fiscal year. I'm not sure how the numbers are now.. but typically there is a set quoto for manpower - as well as how many ADN nurses will be accepted - perhaps by the time everything is said and done this fiscal year.. by the time your packet is set and forward it might have already been maxed out... but by waiting for bsn and beginning of fiscal year it might help. Only downside is perhaps bonus goes down or disappears next year.

Eitherway you are in a good scenario - best of luck and look forward to hearing your decision.

v/r

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Specializes in ICU- adults, Flight RN peds/neo.
just_cause,

thank you or the info. At this point, I am only interested in the reserves. Deep down, I have always wanted to do military (out of high school) but was discouraged by family. Now that I am a littl older and with a family of my own I am trying to realize my dream. I think the military is a great way to complete some humanitarian work around the world, one of my dreams. Thanks!

Hummmm,

"Humanitarian work........well. The military is about defense. If you want to "serve your country" then I totally agree with you.

However, if you are interested in "volunteering overseas" to help the underserved (with no agenda), then I suggest you contact an NGO. I am a strong supporter of the military, but I think you should be clear about what you are signing up for.

The military does do some humanitarian missions, but by and large the mission is defense. You will go and do what they want.

good luck,

c.

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Specializes in Med surg, Tele, ICU.

I believe they give you a bigger bounus as a BSN(5,000 as opposed to 20,000?) and start you out as a 1lt instead of a 2lt.

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Specializes in Emergency RN, CEN.

If you are just starting your packet now, and you are scheduled to complete your BSN in August then I offer this: you will not be in a unit before August. It takes months to complete the process. I believe the average time from submitting packet to receiving orders to report to your unit is around 8 months. I am an acception to the rule. I was commissioned in July of 08 and I am still awaiting orders to report to my unit. You will most likley be done with your degree before you are actively drilling.

Good luck.

66HM5

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Specializes in ER/Critical Care.
I believe they give you a bigger bounus as a BSN(5,000 as opposed to 20,000?) and start you out as a 1lt instead of a 2lt.

hi!

clarification:

and start you out as a 1lt instead of a 2lt.

not always the case..... there is a poster here on the forum who has bsn and commissioned as a 2LT.......it depends on the number of years you have been a RN.

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