Reentering military as nurse corps officer after re-4

Nurses General Nursing

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I am an OR scrub/nurse with 24+ years in the OR. I was in the navy for 10 hrs with one honorable discharge before I got busted on a urinalysis. My career prior was laden with high evals, letters of commendation from admiral of the fleet and commanding officers. I got a little wild in my late 20s and have been paying for it ever since. I am 46 now with wife kids and am respected in my medical community and have letters from surgeons & nurses to prove it. Now, my question is "what do you think my chances are to get a commission as a nurse Corp officer? Any ideas on what I could do to increase my chances? Thank you all for taking time to read this.

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Specializes in Cardiology and ER Nursing.

Wait, you were in the Navy for 10 hours? or 10 Years?

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Navy Vet here, (Airedale).

Don't be afraid to approach the Medical Corps recruiter directly. You'll have your answer in a few moments.

Good Luck!

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usually, if you are honest about it, and it was that long ago... it's not a huge deal. But like "flying ICU RN" said, ask an AMMED recruiter and they will be able to tell you. Good luck!

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I'm not really sure about those who reenter but new "recruits" to the Navy Nurse Corps has a cutoff age of 42.

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I'm not really sure about those who reenter but new "recruits" to the Navy Nurse Corps has a cutoff age of 42.

The posters prior service (if eligible on the other issue) defers that age limit.

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That's great. If I were a recruiter I'd let him back in. I love the military!!

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Thank you all for your responses! You give me hope. I'll let you know what I find out. If it works out I would be more than glad to help out anyone else in this situation. BTW I was in for 10 years not 10 hours; that auto correct function adds things.

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I wanna be a military nurse too..GOODLUCK!!!:nurse:

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Talked to an HM1 via phone about my issue and she said there is no way. She did not seem very familiar with nursing in general. Does anyone think that the Disabled Vets organization could get me in touch with someone familiar with writing enlistment upgrades? If I could get my enlistment upgraded to and Honorable does that automatically change my RE-4 to an RE-1? Anyone have any hints as to how I could get this done? Thanx for you attention.

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Specializes in Cardiology and ER Nursing.
Talked to an HM1 via phone about my issue and she said there is no way. She did not seem very familiar with nursing in general. Does anyone think that the Disabled Vets organization could get me in touch with someone familiar with writing enlistment upgrades? If I could get my enlistment upgraded to and Honorable does that automatically change my RE-4 to an RE-1? Anyone have any hints as to how I could get this done? Thanx for you attention.

I would either contact either the VA, the Navy JAG office, or your local bar association and ask for a recommendation on someone familiar with military law. At least those are the 3 places I would start.

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Thank you! I haven't thought about jag or bar. I'll try and post my results.

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