Returning to school, age and the reserves

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I am 46 years old and am thinking about going into the reserves. I currently work as a civilian in a military hospital. I have a ASN degree, and have been nursing for over 20 years. My questions are, can I join the reserves at this age with my ASN? Which Branch would take me at this age or would it benefit me to go back to school to get my BSN before trying to go into the reserves? I would be closer to 48 by then. Who should I contact about the reserves?

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Specializes in Emergency Room/1LT Army 66HM5.
I am 46 years old and am thinking about going into the reserves. I currently work as a civilian in a military hospital. I have a ASN degree, and have been nursing for over 20 years. My questions are, can I join the reserves at this age with my ASN? Which Branch would take me at this age or would it benefit me to go back to school to get my BSN before trying to go into the reserves? I would be closer to 48 by then. Who should I contact about the reserves?

You can get into the Reserves with an ADN, for now that is, but there's talk about that changing as well. As for the age, I think Medical Officers have until they're 47, but I'm not sure if that applies for nurses. Best bet is to just call up a medical recruiter. Best of luck to you!

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

Not sure about the ADN anymore. Per some other threads in this forum the Army is no longer taking ADN's as of 01 October.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.

I second jeckrn's statement. Here is at leasts one thread:

https://allnurses.com/government-military-nursing/new-fiscal-year-507778.html

Obviously contact a health recruiter to be sure. If you cannot find one, try calling a regular recruiter to locate a health care recruiter. GL!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, NICU, Community Health, HH.

How do you find an Army healthcare recruiter? I used to be active duty and am interested in returning. I would prefer to talk with a Nurse Corps recruiter. Any tips or names you can recommend?

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Specializes in Emergency Room/1LT Army 66HM5.
How do you find an Army healthcare recruiter? I used to be active duty and am interested in returning. I would prefer to talk with a Nurse Corps recruiter. Any tips or names you can recommend?

svacula,

Go to this website http://www.goarmy.com/locate-a-recruiter.html. Make sure you click on AMEDD. It should direct you to a health care recruiter within your region. Health care recruiters are not like every other shopping mall recruiter. There's usually only one for a region and in some areas this could me one for a couple states. Good luck!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, NICU, Community Health, HH.

Thank you so much! I have gone to the website and found a contact number. Thanks again.

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Specializes in Emergency Room/1LT Army 66HM5.
Thank you so much! I have gone to the website and found a contact number. Thanks again.

No problem! Good Luck! Just be prepared for a LONG haul once you start. Be patient and adaptive!!!

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I would just note that military, to include reserves, are moving towards BSN.. I know the army has been having x slots a year for ADN but I keep hearing rumors as this might be weened off with such a high interest and availability of those with BSN.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, NICU, Community Health, HH.

Yes, the first question they asked me was if I had my BSN.

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I am 46 years old and am thinking about going into the reserves. I currently work as a civilian in a military hospital. I have a ASN degree, and have been nursing for over 20 years. My questions are, can I join the reserves at this age with my ASN? Which Branch would take me at this age or would it benefit me to go back to school to get my BSN before trying to go into the reserves? I would be closer to 48 by then. Who should I contact about the reserves?

I think you have until age 48 to join as a healthcare professional. Pretty sure the army and national guard take associate-degree nurses, so I'd call them first. Be aware that the normal age cutoffs are often waived for highly-qualified medical personnel. I've heard of doctors getting into the service as late as age 65. You'll need a waiver, but if the need is there and you are qualified, you can still get in I am 49, and just got hit up by the USAF to join their NC. All other things being equal, they prefer younger people, but that is balanced against the chronic shortages of qualified healthcare personnel the military always faces. Lastly, because things are tough on the civilian side right now, demand for military slots may be tougher than usual. Best of luck to you...

Concerning getting your BSN, you are still eligiible for IPAP, the inter-service physician assistant program, if that interests you. Have you considered that route instead of your BSN? You can't apply unless you are in uniform already, and entrance is competitive, but if selected, you get paid a salary and a full ride two-year PA program in return for 3 years active service afterwards. PAs make more money than RNs since they are mid-level practitioners, and some folks prefer that route. APNs are also heavily utilized by the army and other services, but cannot speak to what programs exist to supply that training... I'd be pretty surprised if they weren't some.

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

You are too old for anything but the Air Force. I'm 45 and soon to be signing for the AFR because they are the only branch I'm not too old for. They will take you up to 47, but you need a Bachelors. I'm an ASN but have a Bachelor in another field. You'd have to hustle to make it.

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