?s Benefits-Reserve vs Active Duty (BSN)

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Sep 12, 2011

i will try to answer some of your questions.[

quote=wildcatrnbsn2010;5619421]hello all! :nurse:

so...i have a lot of questions regarding joining the navy or army nurse corps (reserves or active duty)

i would greatly appreciate any info/tips you guys have because getting a meeting the with medical officer recruiter in my area is impossible and i am starting to get impatient with finding answers

first of all, about me:

i am 23 y.o. female with my bsn. i graduated in 2010 and i have a full-time job now. i have always wanted to get my advance practice degree, and i have already been accepted into the university of cincinnati msn-clinical nurse specialist/nurse educator program, which i start in jan. 3rd, 2012. i looked into joining the military before, but now that i am going back to school i am seriously looking into it again. any branch is okay with me, depending on the benefits.

questions:

1. does anyone know if they have a need for clinical nurse specialists/nurse educators? the army does send nurses to long term education for this.

2. on the navy reserves website, it says that they offer up to $50,000 in repaying student loans and a $2,088 monthly stipend for those nurses enrolled in a graduate program. can any confirm this offer? as with every program they do change from time to time. you will need to speak with a heathcare recruiter about this no matter what branch of service you choose.

3. say i join the navy reserves once i start school again in january, must i work for them as a nurse part-time to receive the monthly stipend for school and loan repayment? or can i attend school, and just the monthly drills and annual training and still get those benefits? i am just concerned about being able to focus on school and not have to work my butt off to pay the bills... reserves is 1 weekend a month, 2 weeks a year unless you are mobilized for the most part. there is some differences with some programs and again need to speak with the healthcare recruiter about these.

4. what would my obligation be to the navy/army reserves be after graduating with my msn? how many years minimum? all initial obligations no matter if it is active or reserves is 8 years, it just depends how you do them. as far as the obligation to drill after recieving education benefits, it varies by program.

5. what is officer training like for active duty? what is officer training like for the reserves? varies by service.

6. say i went the active duty route, what do they branches offer for student loan repayment? varies by service and changes from time to time. can i get a monthly stipend? see last. would i have to work part-time as a rn for them in one of their medical centers? if you are on active duty you will work full time where they assign you. it could be a hospital, clinic, marine unit (if navy), field unit. etc

7. any word about the current sign-on bonuses? reserves or active duty? need to speak with a healthcare recruiter since they have the up to date info.

8. for active duty, does anyone know what the actual chances are of being deployed? depends on the needs and the unit you are assigned too. i hear they move you every 3-5 years...i am sure this is true? yes, it can be across country to the same base.

9. i will be getting married in about two years or so, what would be the benefits for my husband? there aren't any limitations on whether he can come with me where ever i am assigned, correct? healthcare etc.

okay...that's enough for now...haha

seriously, i appreciate any help! you are all awesome!

good luck with school.

wildcatRNBSN2010 · Sep 12, 2011

Thank you so much for your reply! :) I appreciate your willingness to reach out and take time to help me.

Here's another one, got any ideas on how to meet with a recruiter faster? Ideas on how to make this process quicker? I'm guessing persistence is key?

Also, how long would you say the process can take until you are commissioned as an officer? You know, with all the paperwork and what not? I am a very proactive person. I don't really procrastination when I want something...

Once again, thanks a lot! :)

Oldlove · Sep 12, 2011

As far as meeting recruiters faster that's completely up to you, you have to initiate the call or knock on their door, so to speak. This whole process can take up to two years, avg time is one year. Peruse through some of the experiences ppl had by reading this website. you'll find most of your current and future answers that way.

Lastly, it sounds like you're indeed motivated, understand the personal cost and sacrifice you are putting yourself and loved ones in. Military service has a way of destabilizing what looks to be a solid foundation.

Navymm1swaw · Sep 13, 2011

I agree with what the Army was saying. We here in the Navy are very much the same. The main difference is whether you want to work with Army personnel or Navy and Marine personnel and duty locations vary. Bonus money or stipend/LRP requirements are very similar if not the same.

If you qualify for "special pay" then you are looking at three years active reserve with a total of eight years. so minimum is 3 active and 5 IRR (inactive).

best time to look at financial benefits like bonuses and loan repayments is around oct 15th when the new bonus instruction comes out. Like the Army, it changes from time to time.

call the number located at http://www.navyreserve.com/locator.html (your local zip is needed) and they will be better able to help you with the specifics.