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Starting at (almost) the very beginning...

Jul 22, 200818 yr

After taking a year off from school (the program was doing poorly), I am ready to get back into a nursing program - of course, assuming that I will hopefully be accepted at some point for spring or fall '09. As I have started to consider my options, I have been drawn toward possibly entering the military, with my first inclination being toward the navy.

I am not very concerned about wages or retirement benefits, etc. Perhaps that seems unwise to some, but I trust that God will take care of me. I am very used to living simply, as well, so cruises to the Bahamas are not in my plans! I said all of that to say that I am just really passionate about doing what nursing allows me to do - care for others, offering them my knowledge and skill to fall upon when they are not in a position to care for themselves.

In my time off, I have worked full-time as a CNA at the hospital. Doing this has led me to desire a structured environment, one with a healthy level of security, as in reasonable health care and time off to refresh, in which to practice what gives me the greatest peace. I had a patient once that was telling me about his occupation. He said that it is work that if he is not doing it, something just does not feel right inside. That captured my feelings beautifully! It's not about a warm fuzzy feeling for me, but almost a compulsion! Nursing is rarely a luxury, rarely easy, but always immensely rewarding if situations and patients are put in the correct perspective. Easier said than done, I know! I just have to get that off my chest to those who will have more than an inkling of what I am talking about. (I'm not even an RN, either, so I know it is particularly challenging when it comes to med administration and precarious procedures.)

As I have looked around the boards here and have examined the Navy site as well, I am left with some questions that hopefully a patient soul will be able to answer.

First of all...I have little intense upper body strength. It's capable of development, I'm sure, but if I have to pass the fitness test (particularly the push-ups) to be accepted in the first place, I'd have to really go great guns. Given that I would probably qualify for additional, on-site physical training, I am totally fine with that. I would just like the initial acceptance without having to hire a personal trainer.

Probably my biggest physical flaw is my eyesight. I function more than adequately with RGP contacts or my glasses, but without them, there is not even rough detail discernment here. I have astigmatism as well, though I can't say to what degree. Does this strike anyone as being an automatic rule-out?

Hospital corpsman - that position truly sounds intriguing. Would anyone say that it is a mistake to enlist and go with that? Can you chose to do that, or is it an involuntarily elected position? Would it significantly decrease my ability to obtain my BSN if and when I decided to return to that path?

I am honestly just ready to be in a steady, constant (though flexible and progressive) place that enables me to express my passion, to ever increase my knowledge and skill, and to have a place to lay my head at night.

Any thoughts, ideas and insight would be truly appreciated! I'm sorry to make some of you reread and readdress similar issues that have been broached before. Please feel free to redirect me to the right place, rather than take time to answer similar questions. I'm just a stickler for quite up to date information!

Thank you so much!

Rachel

Jul 23, 200818 yr

I'm just starting investigating the military myself, but seeing as no one else has responded yet, and I'm not yet sick of reading repetitive questions :) I figured I'd give it my best shot.

You have two basic options: enlist now, or get your BSN and get a commission as an officer.

Going enlisted immediately is going to be a more difficult path. Your actual job will be less assured. My understanding is that it is possible to you can ask that your specialty be guaranteed in your enlistment paperwork, and not sign unless it is, but they aren't necessarily going to do that, and I don't know how safe a guarantee that is. Your previous healthcare experience and certification should work in your favor, though.

The recruiter will probably tell you otherwise. If s/he cannot give you a guarantee IN WRITING ON YOUR CONTRACT and continuing in a healthcare specialty is important to you, don't sign.

My understanding is that earning your RN while you are active duty enlisted is going to be difficult or impossible, you probably won't be able to start for several years, and transitioning from enlisted to officer once you do have your BSN is more difficult than getting a direct commission in the first place.

I hear you on the upper body strength - I imagine that's one that a lot of females struggle with. I don't believe you have to pass a physical fitness test to get in (a medical physical, but not a fitness test), but If you aren't able to pass the fitness tests at the time you go to boot camp or officer training you'll have to do extra PT, which is generally a not particularly pleasant option, and it's better just to be able to do it when you get there. I believe it's also possible/likely that you'd be disqualified if you couldn't make up your deficits during that time period. I see all this as an argument in favor of getting your BSN first, since, in that case, you'll have several years to work at building your strength gradually (and probably in a healthier manner!), rather than struggling to do it in a short time.

My personal plan as far as that goes is to start martial arts again at a local dojo which emphasizes strength and endurance training (including lots of push-ups). Maybe something like that would be an option if a personal trainer doesn't sound appealing. If you plan on enlisting, going at least 3-5 times a week for a few months would probably help a lot. Also, core body strength is a big part of push-ups, so be sure you're not just concentrating strictly on upper body.

You should be able to get into the military at either level if your vision can be adequately corrected with glasses/contacts. However, I believe you are more likely to receive a waiver if your vision doesn't meet the requirements if you have your BSN and are applying directly to the medical corps.

Bottom line: If your short to mid-term goals include getting your BSN and becoming a nurse, you'll have an easier time doing that first. If you feel drawn towards becoming a hospital corpsman in particular, that's certainly a worthy and necessary thing, but it's a long and indirect route to becoming a nurse.

If you feel sure about the military and money for school is an issue, the ROTC, NCS, and loan repayment programs may be able to help.

Jul 23, 200818 yr

Author

I appreciate your thoughts and information. You have confirmed what I was suspecting to be true. I'm trying to work on this patience thing. I've finally gotten to the point where I don't have to finish my BSN in the next year (if it were possible), but I still like to plan and consider all of my options.

Ah, I wonder how I would succeed in martial arts. At least I know that I have a pretty good chance with the sit-ups and the run. I'm not really a runner, but I get close to the lower end of the spectrum with a brisk walk/jog.

I really have to leave it in God's hands, though. I might end up in a field that is the polar opposite of the armed services! I love to keep exploring, though.

Jul 23, 200818 yr

hi i just started college and i was wondering if i didnt get into the nursing program at my school what other options do i have?

Jul 23, 200818 yr

hi i just started college and i was wondering if i didnt get into the nursing program at my school what other options do i have?

You could always apply for a different school, or check out the ROTC program if you are not completely set on Nursing.

Good Luck!

Jul 23, 200818 yr

For the push-ups and sit-ups, just do as many as you can every day. It'll definitely get easier in time. I do sets of 20-30 push-ups throughout the day totaling 100-200 and then sets of 50 sit-ups totalling maybe 300-400 a day. My goal is to get the highest score by the time I get to ODS (less than 2 months!).

I have little toothpick arms, so if I can do 40+ push-ups in 2 min than anyone can!

Jul 25, 200818 yr

A year is no time :) Especially considering that you'll need some of that time to get your paperwork processed, which can take a while.

I have a minimum of 2.5 years before I get my BSN, and that would involve a nearly unmanagable schedule next semester and a lot of luck.

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