Swearing in......having 2nd thoughts

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Specializes in Neuro ICU.

So I found out my packet was accepted in August/September for the Army Reserves Nurse Corps. I was happy and nervous at the time. My scroll had been delayed until the end of last week when it came back. During the last 2months I hadn't really thought much about it because, in the beginning I was emailing and trying to find out what the hold up was and I received answers like "we just have to wait and get the scroll back." My recruiter and I didn't talk much after the first few weeks of emailing him. When my recruiter called to tell me the scroll was back I was like "oh ok." He was happy and I was at a loss for words. I'm not sure if I still want to do this. Serving my country is a wonderful opportunity and the incentives are nice as well. I'm just not sure if it's for me. I'm really scared that when I get deployed (b/c normally every1 will deploy @ some time or another) I'll get hurt or come back with PTSD, etc. IDK if my mind is playing tricks on me or what. If anyone has any feedback about what I should do, or their experiences as a reserves nurse and/or deployment I would appreciate them. I'm soooooo nervous and scared. I just don't want to make the wrong the decision. Thanks!

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Army nurses are not on the front lines - especially at this point... granted there are few slots for forward teams - but you wouldn't be in that scenario. You will have to deal with people who are in trauma - evac'd out and probably are under PTSD / stress / shock. You are being there to help them. The majority of those injured and evac'd to your site are on the front lines and stepped forward to do so.... have sympathy and respect for those who step forward rifle in hand to do foot patrols and now need your help.

If that doesn't urge you to help - don't swear in find a different job.. v/r

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Specializes in Primary Care, FNP, AGACNP, Palliative Care.

This may be a silly question, but what is a scroll? And why did it hold up your commissioning? Congrats on being accepted!!!

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Specializes in critical care: trauma/oncology/burns.

Hi SBT85:

If you are having second thoughts then I agree with Just Cause: Hold off on your taking the Oath.

Nothing in life is certain and yes if you are in the ARNC you possibly would/could deploy depending upon your TPU and where in their dwell time they happen to be.

Stuff happens when you are down range. Stuff happens when you are just walking along or crossing the street.

I have been overseas and I am currently down range. I am so grateful for those Soldiers whose MOS is 11B [i know there is no way on this green earth that I could do physically what those Soldiers do on a daily basis. My son was a 31B and he told me that there is no way on this green earth he could do what I do (66H8A)] I guess we each fill a purpose. I feel very blessed that I am able to support our SM's especially when they are wounded/ill whether is be an NBRI or while they were "boots on the ground".

I have wonderful memories of my time in the Reserves. IN fact, I went over to the dark side (active duty) related to the many mentors I had (NCO's, Junior Officers etc).

Take some time and maybe make a list of why you initially wanted to serve, PROS and CONS. Look at it for a few days. Then look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself "Will I be able to step up?" 'Can I be a member of a Team/ a team player?" "DO I have faith in the Army Values?" "DO I believe in the Army ETHOS?" "Do I believe in myself?"

If you can answser yes to those questions, then you know what you should do.

Good luck with your soul-searching!

athena Camp Victory, Iraq

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Specializes in CVICU, Trauma, Flight, wartime nursing.

SBT85:

Hello there. I am one of those nurses who has been on the front lines with a forward surgical element. Yes, it can be scary. Yes, there is always the chance you could get hurt. And yes, PTSD is always a concern for anyone who goes to war. The way I dealt with such issues was always remembering it was never about me. It was about being there for those troops who faced the enemy day to day. There will always be fear in our lives to deal with. It is not unusual to feel uneasy about signing the dotted line for the military. There have even been days where I seriously wondered why the hell I joined up. The decision to make that final leap into the Army is one that only you can make. All of us on the forum will give you advice or support based on our experiences and perspectives, but we cannot tell you what is right for you. Take a deep breath and think about what it is you really want to do. When you can face your fears and still do what needs to be done, then you have found your own personal courage. The Army Nurse Corps life is not always easy, but what we do is always important to someone, somewhere. I wish you the best, no matter what choice you make. Take care.

FST6

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