Hello? I just found this website -- extremely helpful -- but I don't know if it is still active.
I have a question ...
I am prior enlisted that has ETS'd. I am currently a junior in nursing school wanting to become a CRNA. I am seriously considering the military route, again. If I do decide for sure that I am going to be Active Duty again I will sign up right after graduation -- which means all my experience as an RN will be gained as a soldier. For the military program, will I be just as eligible with only one year of experience? Also, I have been in the military before and know how the military can operate sometimes... can I get "screwed" out of pursuing my goal to become a CRNA from being a military RN (i.e. I never get the proper experience I need, I am at the complete mercy of a jerk supervisor, I am constantly deployed therefore am prevented from applying, etc.).
Even the AMEDD recruiters can't give me a satisfactory answer, so I would like to have a clear idea before I give up my life to the military again (especially now being married with a one year old).
Thank you very much for your advice (I really hope you all are still actively checking this thread!).
I am glad that everyone feels strongly about whatever they are doing, I really did not want to add fuel to/start an arguement etc.
The "autonomy" I was talking about has nothing to do with what you do in the O.R.--it has to do with living where you want to live, how you want to live, and for the length of time you care to do it--that you can only have as a civilian and/or to an extent as a Reservist. We all know that there are some "dream assigments" that vary from individual to individual, but you don't surely don't get to spend your whole career at one (clinical sites don't much count b/c you are busy with school and you are not setting down roots by any means)--there are places that it sucks to be stationed...in every branch...and eveyone ends up at them at some point.
I was trying to give AG08 a different angle utilizing military service--the Army Reserve Strap/HPLRP/Bonus route is a way to help pay the bills, but retain a higher level of self-determination in one's life without the level of commitment required by AD service. Call it a middle ground...
No harm, no foul...we all share the same common denominator, we're military. Like I said before, I would have utilized the Reserve STRAP/HPLRP/Bonus if I hadn't been accepted by Northeastern University and subsequently USAGPAN.
I was a weekend warrior for 6 years. Gone are the days of weekend warriors, though. Deployments rule the day...During the glory days of my time spent in the reserves all I had to do was drill one weekend a month and spend two weeks at Fort Polk every summer. I was stationed at Fort Puke, by choice, when I was enlisted and serving on AD. Most people try to avoid the home of the 1st Infantry/Mosquito brigade but I liked it there for the fact that I could drive home to the New Orleans area at least twice a month.
BTW, where are you going to school? I see that you are living in Utah,
yet another state that I've been afforded an opportunity to visit thanks to Uncle Sam. OMG, Utah is an incredibly beautiful state. I visited there twice as I was traveling from San Antonio to Tacoma, WA and then back to Louisiana. There are parts of Utah that are positively breathtaking, but then you know this already.
Utah is awfully pretty--the culture is a little...shall we say...umm...different. We have been here for about a year and a half--moved from Idaho for my wife to attend law school @ U. of Utah. We were there for about 4 yrs (Idaho has alot to offer as well). I was born in Ohio and lived there for about the first 30 yrs of my life. I could see Idaho in our future after school, plus you can at least buy real beer in a grocery store there, not the case in Utah...
I will be attending U. of Cincinnati Sept. 08. The director there is the current pres. of the AANA. She was part of the interview and just seemed like a great, caring mentor. I walked away from there with a great sense that it will be a "fit". Plus it gets us closer to family for a couple of incredibly stressful years.
Sounds like you've got a lot of traveling to do...across country, that is. I did not know that "real beer" couldn't be purchased in grocery stores in Utah. I know that Utah is mormon country, but I'm ignorant when it comes to their culture. I agree that Idaho is also beautiful territory. I gotta tell you, I love everything about the pacific northwest and all states between here(Louisiana) and there.
IMO, it's good that you are returning close to home for CRNA school. Your wife may need the extra (emotional) support from family more than you will, who knows?? As for me, I'm single with grown teenagers which kinda removes family stressors. In fact, my son ships out for Marine Corps boot camp one week before my program starts. I wanted him to join the Army but he would rather follow in my father's footsteps.
I sincerely wish you the best of luck in school. Sounds like your PD is a gem. My PD is awesome as well.
but I liked it there for the fact that I could drive home to the New Orleans area at least twice a month.
beedog13
94 Posts
Hey fellow posters,
I am glad that everyone feels strongly about whatever they are doing, I really did not want to add fuel to/start an arguement etc.
The "autonomy" I was talking about has nothing to do with what you do in the O.R.--it has to do with living where you want to live, how you want to live, and for the length of time you care to do it--that you can only have as a civilian and/or to an extent as a Reservist. We all know that there are some "dream assigments" that vary from individual to individual, but you don't surely don't get to spend your whole career at one (clinical sites don't much count b/c you are busy with school and you are not setting down roots by any means)--there are places that it sucks to be stationed...in every branch...and eveyone ends up at them at some point.
I was trying to give AG08 a different angle utilizing military service--the Army Reserve Strap/HPLRP/Bonus route is a way to help pay the bills, but retain a higher level of self-determination in one's life without the level of commitment required by AD service. Call it a middle ground...
Have a good new year and good luck to everyone
Bryan