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

[RNPATL]

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.

[cnelson2]

Hi OTD2.

Active Duty RNs begin August 4 and go to OBLC for 11 weeks. Not sure about the reserve duty RNs. The Army Nurse Corp personnel who put in my "request for orders" said that some of the RNs that just received their commissioning have not taken the NCLEX yet- I don't know how long they give them to take the test. Since I passed the NCLEX a while ago, the ANC person said I would receive my orders sooner than some-which was supposedly 4-6 weeks after choosing my PCS.

Cnelson

[DLS_PMHNP, MSN, RN, NP]

I am not in the military, but a good friend of mine is. She is going through the ROTC program and then will be in the National Guard as a second lieutenant when she finishes school.

She was talking about OLBC and mentioned that it is 9 weeks now for BOTH active and reserves.

Has anyone else heard this? I think she was under the impression that it would be much shorter.

Thanks!

PS She will be attending OLBC in 2009 after graduation next May.

[lifeafter40]

Hi all,

I am a change of lifer, just starting out on this new journey. I served 6 years in the Active Duty Army (aviation) back in the early 90's Then got out to work in a family business. Jumping forward... A declining economy has motivated me to follow neglected dreams. I am now beginning my BSN at University of Missouri, Kansas City this fall. I am planning to go back into the Army as an AN Corps officer. I am 37 now, so will be about 41 when I obtain my degree... I am a glad (and a little surprised) to see so many of you in a similar stage of life. I was envisioning being the only gray haired 2LT at OBLC, trying to compete with all those vigorous young "wiper snappers";)

Anyway, I have a long road ahead of me yet, But I am evaluating my choices and making what plans I can. I look forward to reading more of your posts, and am thankful for all of the helpful information you all contribute. Hopefully I can get to know some of you better, and maybe meet you in my future career!

Train to Save!

Scott

[Itshamrtym]

Good luck to you Scott.... You are only as old as you feel..... Hooah.. God bless our troops!!!

[cnelson2]

Hi Scott,

I just graduated with a second bachelors in nursing and joined the Army as a new grad. I noticed many other nurses doing the same and found enough positive information at allnurses.com to help me to make such a big decision.

I found a blog site where one of the army Nurses wrote an online diary of their weekly events at OBLC in Texas. It starts off melancholy, but is educational and fun to read about what actually went on each week.

http://armynurselife.blogspot.com/2006_12_01_archive.html

Good luck with school!

Cnelson

[redshott]

Hi everyone! I recently decided to switch my college track from rad tech to nursing and once I get my BA, I'm planning on going Navy Reserves. My ex-husband was actually USMC so I've lived on a Navy and Marine bases...I've thought about going AD as a Naval Officer (still, after graduation) but I'm not sure where I'll have more opportunities. I'll be about 32/33 when I graduate if everything goes as planned.

I'm currently in NC and hope to be accepted this Spring into the core classes! Thanks!

Amanda

[Itshamrtym]

Hi everyone! I recently decided to switch my college track from rad tech to nursing and once I get my BA, I'm planning on going Navy Reserves. My ex-husband was actually USMC so I've lived on a Navy and Marine bases...I've thought about going AD as a Naval Officer (still, after graduation) but I'm not sure where I'll have more opportunities. I'll be about 32/33 when I graduate if everything goes as planned.

I'm currently in NC and hope to be accepted this Spring into the core classes! Thanks!

Amanda

:redbeathe:yeah: Good luck to you AMANDA!!!!!!!!!!!! GO for it!!!

[nightshift1974]

Hi! I'm a BSN, RN and have 8 years nursing experience, 4 in the ER. I went through the process of joining the AF in 02, but had such a horrible recruiting experience, it totally turned me off. I want to get my MSN, CRNA and have been looking into the Army nurse corps. I come from a long line of military personnel and have always wanted to serve. Any advice would greatly be appreciated!!!!

[bwidlits]

Hi, 3 years ago I met with a great ANC recruiter. I have been in the Army Nurse Corps reserves IMA program since. Everything the recruiter said has turned out to be true.

The OBC Officers Basic Course was not easy, but it was not boot camp. It felt closer to college, with lots of studing and tests, many late nights. Physical training included sit-ups push-ups and running 2 miles.

This IMA program I guess is rather new, and means only 2 weeks a year. I am assigned to Wa, Ft Lewis, Madigan. This will be my third year, and in September I will be working again in this Army hospital for 2 weeks.

I did look into the CRNA program, offered through the Army. It looks like a great program, but competitive to get into? They also have a stipend program, I believe, where you can attend college to become a CRNA. Im sure the more you take advantage of the more time you owe them.

They also have a 30000 sign on if you are a BSN, and 50000 tuition reimbursement.

Really I havent been unhappy with the choice yet. Good luck! Bobbi

[Itshamrtym]

hi! i'm a bsn, rn and have 8 years nursing experience, 4 in the er. i went through the process of joining the af in 02, but had such a horrible recruiting experience, it totally turned me off. i want to get my msn, crna and have been looking into the army nurse corps. i come from a long line of military personnel and have always wanted to serve. any advice would greatly be appreciated!!!!

:yeah::yeah:welcome to allnurses!!!!! good luck!!!!!:heartbeat:nurse:

[808nursing]

Hi everyone. I'm currently stationed at Schofield Barracks, HI on active duty. After a few years of contemplating whether or not to stay Active Duty Army, I decided to submit a board packet in to the AMEDD Enlisted Comissioning Program (AECP) and was selected to participate for FY09. I'm working on trying to get into nursing schools that will waive the tuition fees over $9000 per academic year. I haven't had a chance to talk with all the schools here on island just yet, but the University that i'm currently attending (Hawaii Pacific University) won't waive the fees, so now i'm finding myself in a bind. Anyone on this forum go through the AECP? And if so, what school did you attend? It'd be great to continue to serve on active duty as an Army Nurse. All I know is that i'll continue to keep trying.

[outboundme]

This would be me, considering naval service. I am new the allnurses.com - I have contacted a medical officer recruiter recently, have filled out some med forms, sent my resume, and am working on the application. I did post on another thread, but wanted to join in on this one too. This has been a great resource, reading through the wealth of info on this site, thank you all :)

Fiscal year starts October...I was (also) told the 'quotas' have been met for the current fiscal year. I complete my BS 12/08 and am an RN/ADN currently. What should I make sure I get 'completed' by 10/08 to ensure the best possible standing as an officer (by the time I graduate in 12/08)? Any thoughts, advice, and guidance is much appreciated.