First time posting here on any kind of thread. Just going through a lot and wanted to share my thoughts and see if anyone had any insight.
I graduated with my BSN in May of this year from Central Florida. I moved to Cleveland shorty thereafter and the job market has been..less than favorable. Long story short, I had always been discouraged from entering the military by my family. However, given my current situation and this has always been a dream in the back of my mind, I decided to purse the Army Nurse Corps.
And what a whirlwind it has been. I met with my recruiter on the 28th of October. He told me that the Nurse Corps is once again close to their quota and we needed to "bum-rush" my application if we had a chance at all. In under a week, I have faxed, fed-exed, harassed professors and classmates to get my packet together. It is all finally coming together by tomorrow and my physical is scheduled for the 4th. All well and good but...
I read online that the application deadline is the 3rd. My recruiter said an exception could be made. I really hope he is right. Also, I am worried about what the competition to get in is going to be like given the economy. I don't have any RN or military experience. I guess all I can do is hope and wait.
Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated. I just mostly wanted to vent. Thank you.
When it comes to waiver the length of time varies depending on how far up the chain it has to go. Has your recruiter spoken to you about going to BAMC at Ft Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX for a PE tour. I have done a MEPS and a PE tour and the PE tour was more streamlined when it came to waivers.
Don't really know if I have time but I will bring it up next time I talk to him. Just have a few weeks until the December boards. My waiver went to the Office of the Surgeon General.
Recruiter brought up San Antonio but said he couldn't get anyone on the phone for dates. He was told that we should hear back from the OSG within days. Just playing the waiting game and keeping my fingers crossed.
Latest update. Have an ENT consult next Thursday as my hearing test was right on the line and I failed. A bit frustrated as I was told it would not be an issue but after the Surgeon General looked at it, he wanted a consult. My recruiter is not exactly sure what they are looking for. I know they have me scheduled for another audiogram but my hearing is not going to get any better. I had ear surgery when I was 12 and have a mild conductive hearing loss. My recruiter seems to think they just want to make sure it is not progressive etc. Hoping to make the January boards this time. Fingers crossed.
Latest update. Have an ENT consult next Thursday as my hearing test was right on the line and I failed. A bit frustrated as I was told it would not be an issue but after the Surgeon General looked at it, he wanted a consult. My recruiter is not exactly sure what they are looking for. I know they have me scheduled for another audiogram but my hearing is not going to get any better. I had ear surgery when I was 12 and have a mild conductive hearing loss. My recruiter seems to think they just want to make sure it is not progressive etc. Hoping to make the January boards this time. Fingers crossed.
With the number of applicants they are recieiving at this time things that would have not been an issue in the past now are. Hang in there.
Specializes in critical care: trauma/oncology/burns.
Suggest to your recruiter you write a letter addressing your "hearing loss" and explain how it is a non-issue to you and your activities of daily living both professionally and otherwise.
If your Recruiter is on the top of his/her game they will get a consult with an Army approved ENT who will look over your audiology. That is when you have the opportunity to "make your case"
I speak from experience....You've gotta be proactive.
Thanks for the suggestion and encouragement. I do have the consult this Thursday and do plan to discuss how my hearing is not an issue. I will let you all know how it goes.
Specializes in critical care: trauma/oncology/burns.
I will have you in my thoughts.
Tell the person who is doing the consult all that you do in your day-to-day life like: use a cell phone, use a stethoscope, manage your patients...Whatever. Just don't reply "huh"? to any of his/her questions....(smile, a joke....)
I graduated from UCF in 2003....great program and professors. I was lucky enough to have Dr. Covelli for clinical my senior year, what a great experience.
Go Knights! I had Dr. Covelli for my pathology and pharmacology classes and really enjoyed them. My consult went well. The audiologist found normal hearing and the speech test went well also. She wrote a positive letter and my recruiter came to the office with me to scan everything to the Surgeon General. Another bit of waiting and I should be good for boards. My only nagging worry is that they will see how long I've been out of work and wonder...
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jeckrn, BSN, RN
1,868 Posts
When it comes to waiver the length of time varies depending on how far up the chain it has to go. Has your recruiter spoken to you about going to BAMC at Ft Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX for a PE tour. I have done a MEPS and a PE tour and the PE tour was more streamlined when it came to waivers.