Recruiter called last nite-need advice

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Hello military nurses,

I have been reading some of the threads and am impressed with you all; Congratulations and THANK YOU!!

I turned 47 this week, and will be graduating from AD RN in Connecticut program in 3 weeks. I have been working as a nurse intern in ICU for a year, and am going to work there after graduation. Love it!! Permanent resident alien (UK). Daughter in college, supportive husband at home. Registered to start BSN this Fall, need 7 classes, should take 2 yrs. part time. BSN is a priority for me. I can't believe they want me (reserves, of course), I thought I was too old, but they must have raised the age limit (it was 45). I feel like I should do this if I can, it feels like the right thing to do. Based on the threads I've read:

-I'm too old to be eligible for military retirement (will be 67)

-I should expect to be deployed for up to a year, maybe more than once (recruiter said low possibility of deployment-surprise!)

-How much ICU experience do I need? Do they provide any actual training in an ICU?

-What do you do 'on Drill'?

-Recruiter said I could be going to Officer School by the end of the summer-thoughts on this? I want to get my ICU orientation behind me first, right?

-AM I CRAZY for considering this? I need honest (even brutal) advice, please offer what you can.

Thanks, Linda :)

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
Hello military nurses,

I have been reading some of the threads and am impressed with you all; Congratulations and THANK YOU!!

I turned 47 this week, and will be graduating from AD RN in Connecticut program in 3 weeks. I have been working as a nurse intern in ICU for a year, and am going to work there after graduation. Love it!! Permanent resident alien (UK). Daughter in college, supportive husband at home. Registered to start BSN this Fall, need 7 classes, should take 2 yrs. part time. BSN is a priority for me. I can't believe they want me (reserves, of course), I thought I was too old, but they must have raised the age limit (it was 45). I feel like I should do this if I can, it feels like the right thing to do. Based on the threads I've read:

-I'm too old to be eligible for military retirement (will be 67)

-I should expect to be deployed for up to a year, maybe more than once (recruiter said low possibility of deployment-surprise!)

-How much ICU experience do I need? Do they provide any actual training in an ICU?

-What do you do 'on Drill'?

-Recruiter said I could be going to Officer School by the end of the summer-thoughts on this? I want to get my ICU orientation behind me first, right?

-AM I CRAZY for considering this? I need honest (even brutal) advice, please offer what you can.

Thanks, Linda :)

Are they offering you an Officer or Enlisted spot? I didn't think that non US citizens could become commissioned officers?

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Army Nurse website says "Us citizen or permanent alien". I told the recruiter, he said no problem.

I believe it would be a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant.

How hard is the Physical Fitness test? I see that it is scaled depending on gender and age, but I'm probably in the worst shape of my life after 4 years of school!!

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Specializes in ER.

Hi Linda!

Just wanted to say hi. I am almost finished with my first year at NVCC and am considering the reserves. I am also a permanent resident . I would be very interested in following you through your process!

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
Army Nurse website says "Us citizen or permanent alien". I told the recruiter, he said no problem.

I believe it would be a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant.

How hard is the Physical Fitness test? I see that it is scaled depending on gender and age, but I'm probably in the worst shape of my life after 4 years of school!!

Here is a link to a commerical website with some very good information. http://www.military.com/Recruiting/Content/0,13898,rec_step03_ways,,00.html It should answer some of your questions. Also, look for posts by corvette guy and ANC Maj on here. They both can give you really good first hand Army information... I can only point in the right direction since I am active duty Air Force.

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Hi EMT,

Wow, what a small world! I must know you, or at least seen you either at NVCC or one of AJ's meetings? (Did you go to Northwestern, too?)

Well, stay tuned and we'll see what the experts on this site think.

Linda :)

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Hi WBT,

Thanks for the link, and the reply.

I see you are 33 (still spry!), how difficult is it for you to meet the AF physical fitness criteria?

Linda :)

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Specializes in ER.

Hahaha Linda!!!! Do I know Alison very well!!!!!!! I love that woman!!!! And yes I have been to her meetings and spoke there last fall to all the potentials. I completed all of my prereqs there!! We must have met!!

Katrin

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
Hi WBT,

Thanks for the link, and the reply.

I see you are 33 (still spry!), how difficult is it for you to meet the AF physical fitness criteria?

Linda :)

I can't really answer that objectively, but I can provide you with the fitness requirements chart for you can make your own decision. http://usmilitary.about.com/od/airforce/l/blfitfemale.htm

Personally, I would say the physical requirements take a low moderate amount physical activity level. Most females biggest gripe is the waist measurement....to get full points you have to have a waist under 30 inches. The waist measurement is actually taken from the top of hips just above the and touching the top of the iliac crests.

Here is also a link about citizenship and the USAF. http://airforce.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/airforce.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=111&p_created=1038335883&p_sid=B1PdC16i&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPSZwX3NvcnRfYnk9JnBfZ3JpZHNvcnQ9JnBfcm93X2NudD03OSZwX3Byb2RzPSZwX2NhdHM9JnBfcHY9JnBfY3Y9JnBfc2VhcmNoX3R5cGU9YW5zd2Vycy5zZWFyY2hfbmwmcF9wYWdlPTM*&p_li=&p_topview=1

Good Luck!

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
Army Nurse website says "Us citizen or permanent alien". I told the recruiter, he said no problem.

I believe it would be a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant.

How hard is the Physical Fitness test? I see that it is scaled depending on gender and age, but I'm probably in the worst shape of my life after 4 years of school!!

I was checking on the becoming a commissioned officer and being a non US citizen. I emailed the question to an army recruiter online below is the answer I got.

"Thank you for giving me the opportunity to answer your questions about the Army.

To be eligible to become an officer in the United States Army you must be a U.S citizen.

Respectfully,

Mr. Ernest Skirvin

Cyber Recruiter

United States Army Recruiting Command

E-mail: [email protected]

http://www.GoArmy.com

Being a Soldier strengthens you today and for the future because the Army develops your potential through relevant and challenging training, shared values and personal experience. Soldiers consistently take pride in making a difference for themselves, their families and the Nation.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sent: Thursday, April 27, 2006 11:40 AM

To: GoArmy

Subject: 1st GoArmy G .com

Can a permanent U.S. resident become a commissioned officer without being a U.S. citizen?"

Also, here is another link to look at http://www.goarmy.com/about/officer.jsp

I am not trying to discourage you, but be leary of what recruiters tell you.

I could still be wrong, but I didn't find a clause that will let nurses come in as commissioned officers w/o being a US citizen.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

You know how to tell when a recruiter is lying to you??

His lips are moving.

~faith,

Timothy.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

cute joke.

Good luck to the OP!

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