RN with history of Asthma/OCD...Will this disqualify me from Navy Nurse Corps?

[Lisa Weyland BSN RN, BSN, RN]

Hello,

I am an RN with my B.S. It has always been my dream to serve in the Nurse Corps! Unfortunately, I have a history of Asthma. I use an inhaler maybe once a year now. I didn't acquire the Dx of Asthma until I was an adult. It came on after I started smoking and when I quit smoking (3yrs later) it pretty much went away. It's been about 3 years since I quit. Also, after I had my son I developed GAD/OCD. I mainly had fears of losing my mind. They put me on Zoloft and that took away my symptoms.. Then I abruptly quit taking my pills because I felt so much better (stupid idea!). This caused me to get so anxious that I would pretty much black out, so I VOLUNTARILY checked myself in to the hospital. I stayed there 5 days, but I could have gone home sooner. The psychiatrists told me that I wasn't crazy, I just stopped taking me Zoloft to quickly. Anyways, after I went on a Rx again, the doc slowly tapered me off of it. I went through Cognitive Behavioral therapy and I have been off my medicine for 3 years now, with no OCD or Anxiety WHATSOEVER! I know that a history of both of these conditions can automatically disqualify somebody from serving in the Navy. My questions are:

1. What are the chances of having both of these conditions waived if I have been symptom free and medicine free for 3 years?

2. Are my chances of having them waived higher since I would be going into the nurse corps as a DCO? (I was told that they are more likely to waive conditions if entering a demanding field)

3. Is there a rule that says after a certain number of years of being symptom free they can no longer disqualify me? Since I'm 25 now, I could wait another 10 years to join if it's necessary.

4. Is there a difference in qualifications with Active duty vs. Reserve?

I really want to serve my country and the world. I am an excellent nurse with a high GPA. I am willing to do anything and everything to get into the Nurse Corps. I am just afraid that my unfortunate health history is going to prevent me from it. I would appreciate any honest advice or tips that could help me become a Navy nurse :) Thank you! Lisa

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

As people in this forum are fond of saying, if you don't at least ask, then the answer will always be no. :) I think if you have documentation that demonstrates that you are symptom-free in both areas, you might be able to get a waiver. You will probably have to undergo extra testing at MEPS, like pulmonary function tests. Have you contacted a healthcare recruiter? Make sure you don't just speak to an enlisted recruiter -- the specialized healthcare recruiters can better answer your questions. Good luck, and welcome to allnurses!

[jeckrn, BSN, RN]

I agree with Lunah but it will be tough which is just a sign of the times with downsizing of the military. The medical requirements are the same for active & reserve.

[Lisa Weyland BSN RN, BSN, RN]

Thank you both for the advice and answers to my questions! It's nice to know that there are Healthcare Recruiters to answer my questions instead of regular recruiters :) I am hopeful for the future. I will just work on establishing a good paper trail regarding my recovery from Asthma/OCD. Maybe that will help :) Thanks again!