Roll Call for all Military and VA Nurses and those considering the Service

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As the moderator for this forum ... I am interested to know where everyone is from, their background, branch of service (or VA VISN) and what they like the best about Military or VA Nursing .... this forum generally has some really good traffic, and I would like to pull all of us together and get to know one another a little better. :rolleyes:

hi pete,

i do not want to tie up this board with a lengthy reply, please send me an email if you want and we can chat more.

i look forward to communicating with you! send me a message whenever you get a moment. many of my friends and peers do not understand why i am doing this, and our relationships are very strained, so i welcome the positive energy. for me, this is a never exciting, yet apprehensive time. feel free to email me if you prefer to do so, i do not mind.

lori

:cheers:

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Hi Guys:

I'm a ADN RN whom is working on BSN.. Have been in the OR for 2 years. Just started a new postion in the ER. I have been checking out allnurses for some time. I have been on the fence with becoming a military nurse. I had a short stent of ARMY RESERVES when I was a LPN back in 1997. Got ADN in 2005. I always told myself that I would re-up upon obtaining RN. Now I must be honest I'm a little confused with how do you choose on service over the other... After checking the Air guard seems to have the same bonus and benies that ANC does?? I have had a subscription to The ARMY Times, and currently there is a hold on certain bonuses... Also in a currant article they said they were going to reduce tours to 6 months for some medical persons... I guess that they realize that people don't have a problem deploying, as they shouldn't, but 12-15 months is a lot... Especially if you are reserves and loosing money from your full=time job etc..... So just wanted to throw that out there if this might help with decision making for some of you on the fence with what service to join, or to join at all.... Any input as to what factors to use to make a decision as to what service let me know... Thanks in advance for any advice... :nurse::w00t:GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS..............

THANKS TO ALL THAT SERVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Hello everyone! i just recently found this site and ive spent so many hours already just reading up on some posts... you guys know so much, thanks for all your input!

im currently only a sophomore in college, so im not in any service right now. ive been struggling to decide whether or not to join the Navy for quite some time... and as of yesterday afternoon i have decided that i am going to join and do the Navy Nurse Candidate Program until i get my BSN. i decided that i have to AT LEAST try it once, and if i dont like it, then i can decline after i have done the amount of years required. i figured if i dont do it, ill regret it and wonder for the rest of my life if i would have loved it or not. i hate those "WHAT IF..." questions. haha.

I dont think my dad is very happy with my decision (because i am LDS, and for women it is important to have a family, and he doesnt think being in the Navy as active duty as a woman will work well with meeting someone and having a family)... BUT im going to try it anyways, and my dad at least Said that he would support me in whatever decision i would make.

im so nervous/excited!!:w00t:

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Hi all,

I too recently discovered this site and have spent a lot of time reading everyone's posts!

I'm a sophomore in college working on earning my BSN. I was recently accepted into the Nurse Candidate Program for the Navy Nurse Corps and I'll be swearing in to the Navy this coming Friday! I'm really excited!

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Wheel3:heartbeat:nurse::balloons::balloons::balloons::balloons::balloons:CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU!!!! I'M SO EXCITED FOR YOU!!!! WOW......... GOOD LUCK TO YOU.... KEEP US POSTED....... THIS IS AN AWSOME SITE...... YOU SHOULD TALK TO LT DAN!!! (CLOSE)... HE IS IN THE NAVY AND ALWAYS GIVES AWSOME ADVICE.... HIS WIFE IS IN THE NAVY TOO..... TAKE CARE.... G O D B L E S S OUR TROOPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!:1luvu::1luvu::1luvu::1luvu::1luvu:

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Specializes in ER.

...a BSN, RN and an active police officer and a illegal drugs buster for 12 years qualified? If so please notify me thanks...

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Specializes in ICU, tele, M/S.

Hi everyone,have an ADN, starting classes in July RN to BSN. Contemplating Army Reserves STRAP program. Received US citizenship 3 yrs ago. Have 2 grown kids. Have 7 years ICU experience. Am 45 yrs old. Grew up around military, also ex-hubby was Army. I miss military life! Just need a little convincing to get my rear in gear and just do it.

:confused:

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Hi everyone,have an ADN, starting classes in July RN to BSN. Contemplating Army Reserves STRAP program. Received US citizenship 3 yrs ago. Have 2 grown kids. Have 7 years ICU experience. Am 45 yrs old. Grew up around military, also ex-hubby was Army. I miss military life! Just need a little convincing to get my rear in gear and just do it.

:confused:

Go for it! I took my over 40 physical in December.It was an experience! I was going to go Army, but I think I may switch to the Air National Guard (who will allow you in with a ADN with the same requirement of obtaining BSN before you can obtain rank above Captain). I dealt with my Army recruiter dropping the ball a few too many times. However, I think that it's wonderful that you have decided to do this, and life begins at 40...you're old enough to truly know that this is what you want to do, have seen enough to have a great deal to offer our troops, now live your life for you! Just make sure that your recruiter lays it all on the line. Make a list of questions/concerns before you even go in, and they may offer you the chance to go "visit" one of the military hospitals and speak with nurses about their personal experiences. They may also allow you to go to a guard weekend to observe. These trips were offered to me, but as I said my recruiter dropped the ball (I was told I was going and he was a no-show). I'm still waiting to hear from him on whether I passed my physical! Yes, since January, I've heard nothing from him. I was able to have a friend who works at our MEPS check on it for me, and yes, I did pass. Look for a recruiter who is ready to work for you and watch for them to drop the ball! Stay on their butts and stay on them hard!

Good luck in all that you do! :yeah::yeah::yeah: You are making me proud!

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Specializes in med-surg/tele/ortho w/ICU,NI,Trauma.
...a BSN, RN and an active police officer and a illegal drugs buster for 12 years qualified? If so please notify me thanks...

Qualified? Certainly sounds like you are. A better question would be why wouldn't you be qualified?

I'm 43, a BSN for 5 years in med-surg. I took my MEPS 'over 40 physical' last Fall. Had to get waviered for open-angle glaucoma. Biggest problem I had was trying to remember every medical event I had in my whole life during the medical interview.

I will likely be at OBLC in October after I get vested at my current job.

The site to find the schedule for OBLC in FSH (and all training for that matter) is: http://www-tradoc.army.mil/

Thanks and good luck.

Brian

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Hi everyone,have an ADN, starting classes in July RN to BSN. Contemplating Army Reserves STRAP program. Received US citizenship 3 yrs ago. Have 2 grown kids. Have 7 years ICU experience. Am 45 yrs old. Grew up around military, also ex-hubby was Army. I miss military life! Just need a little convincing to get my rear in gear and just do it.

:confused:

What are you waiting for??? LOL..... Go for it..... Call a healthcare recruiter...... With all of your critical care experience you will be a great asset to the ARMY.....!!!! I was an LPN for 8 years... right after NCLEX went to Fort Jackson S.C. for basic training.... It was intense.... I miss it... Unfortunatley I didn't make it..... I was in such AWE of the young men and women that were there and so squared away... In fact, my battle buddy was barely 18 (I was 32)... helped me tremendously.. I couldn't pass that 2 mile run... I got so.. so much better..... Another soilder helped me too. We used to do sprints in the evening.... The final PT test was on a paved track, that they said.. if you got on the inner corner it was easier:wink2:. I had some other things going on too.... Ending of a marriage.. and right before ship out I lost my uncle (only 48 years old)... complications from surgery...

Now looking back (this was 1997).... I wish that I would have stayed and recycled... I would have a lot of time under my belt... But.. I was so worn down... So I vowed that when I received my RN, I would go back... That was in 2005... and uuummmm.... here I sit..... I have been talking to a cyber recruiter and read Allnurses.com all the time..... If you check out allnurses there is a old thread from a nurse that attended OBLC... she breaks it down for you of what you will be doing the 9 or so weeks you will be in TEXAS.. There is also a blog on here from a nurse that was about my age I believe (almost 43...)... So I wish you luck.... And if this is your dream then go for it..... Now start doing those push up's and sit up's.. and run.......... HOOAH...!!!!!! (sorry so long!!!!!!!):nurse::redbeathe:nurse:

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I was currently in the USCG as a corpsman got out and recieved my rn. The USCG only hires NPs. Any suggestions on what I could do with my degree. Im currently still in the inactive reserves for the USCG. Thanks

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Specializes in ED, NICU.

Hello Everyone,

I just joined the Army Nurse Corp as a new grad last Saturday. My first stop is OBLC beginning August 3 and I am still waiting to find out my PCS for the first year ANC-RN residency. I was offered Tripler AMC and Beaumont AMC, and will have a decision to make by the end of this week. My choices were neither place, but maybe the 2nd through 4th years will be one of my original picks. Does anyone have experience in either place that would help me with deciding?

It was very helpful to read about everyone's experiences in OBLC :rolleyes:

Thank you, CNelson

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