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So my user name was a typo, should have read coptoarmyrn (dang phone). But like it says, My name is Tim and currently I'm a Birmingham, AL police officer. My wife is an RN in the ER of our local mercy hospital. I spent AD time in the Marine Corps. I just signed up for college and I start taking prereqs this summer for nursing school! I will be 34 in less than two weeks and my goal is to be commissioned by the time i'm 39. My other goal is scoring a 300 on my APFT upon arrival to OLBC. It eluded me for years in the Corps for years. I've got 5 years to work on it. (That old man bracket helps too!) I'm not a pt freak (I am doing a half marathon next month but that's for my stepson with epilepsy.) I just want to do it once.Couple questions I had wereA) Does my AD time enlisted count towards retirement?B) Does anyone have the list of what you have to purchase as far as uniform and equipment upon commission?C) Any tips for nursing school? D) Am I too old for ROTC?Anywho, I'm a long way from being where y'all are at but I'll be staying in touch to see everyones progress!

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a. Yes

b. I wouldn't worry because it could change by time you get there.

c. Use NCLEX study books when studying for exams, they have good questions for the actual NCLEX and a lot of teachers use questions in NCLEX format because it prepares you for the test. Keep a notebook for clinicals that has all the important stuff or stuff you learn while there. Keep it for all clinicals. Good luck.

d. No, bring it on

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Specializes in Pediatrics, home health, travel nurse.

a) yes your enlisted time gets counted towards retirement and if greater than 4yrs it will put you at an O-1e when you commission...puts a lil extra jingle in your pockets than just straight O-1

b) There is a website that states everything you would need to purchase for BOLC

http://www.cs.amedd.army.mil/obc/ uniform requirment is located in the BOLC information packet link. this will be an out of pocket expense and you will drop like $1000-1500 and the army will pacify you by reimbursing a one time $600 payment...but something is better than nothing.

c)nursing school tips...study, dont fall behind, read, when you want to quit or throw spit balls at your instructors back remember the bigger picture...it's just 4 semesters of upper division you can do it.

d) not sure about rotc you may be a touch to old...i believe the cut off is 26 but may want to find an amedd recruiter and ask

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Awwww...I guess there are age requirements. You could apply for a scholarship through healthcare recruiter. Good luck.

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yes, unfortunately, you are too old for ROTC, so was I ... However, you could still qualify for the Nurse Candidate Program, so talk to your Health Professions Recruiter (you must be able to receive your commission before age 40). My suggestion is to really focus on nursing school, as GPA seems to be a top priority for new nurse selection (your Prior service is a plus also)...just let the Army idea sit in the background for now, because the waiting and anticipating will drive you crazy before you get there...lol...I know, I've been waiting for about 3.5 years now!

everything else will most likely change...many times... before you graduate, so no real advantage in worrying too much about it yet.

I also suggest tying to find yourself a hospital job as soon as you have your nursing fundamentals course under your belt... it will help increase your learning in school and will look good on your resume.

welcome to All Nurses and the Nurse Corps hopefuls...hope you enjoy the ride!

LA40

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I agree with LA40.

Focus on BSN - that is the overall goal. I would try to submit my packet for NCP program so you could 'start' that program beginning of junior year.. I'd talk to recruiter for timeline on that and when the submission period (if not rolling) takes place so that can be done..

Prior service time will make you an O1E+x years... and then x years towards time in service obviously reduces remaining time until eligible for retirement.

If NCP doesn't work out I'd try to apply for direct commission as your graduation date approaches. If times are like now.. where supply of applicants is high compared to slots then I would plan on getting a job at graduation and applying after a few years of experience.

Best of luck.

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I used the health care recruiters out of Birmingham. They're all very nice and helpful. Definitely stop by and start talking to them now. I would recommend going to their office though rather than calling, they're over by five points. I know this from experience!

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Thanks everyone. I did talk to the Healthcare Recruiters today in Birmingham. Just wanted to get a feel for everything. He told me there was some sort of accelerated process I can sign up for my senior year, and I'll be looking into that. As far as the NCP, he said that's mainly for people having a hard time making it through school financially, and if you sign up for that you don't get any of the other incentives of a direct commision. Seeing as my wife is a working RN and I'll stay with the Police Dept til I graduate, I think I'll pass on that option.

I appreciate everyone's knowledge. I've probably already scanned through about 15 pages of posts on this site. I'm a sponge for knowledge.

Did my FAFSA today, took the assessment at the community college yesterday. Gonna do a couple semesters catching up on some prereqs there. After that I'll try to get into UAB. If not I'll get my Associates at the community college then get my BSN at UAB.

One thought I had was to get my Associates, take the NCLEX and get a job and some experience while I took the rest of my stuff for my BSN. Thoughts?

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If your ultimate goal is to be a RN in the military then I would bypass the ADN and just go ahead and get the BSN. You have to have it to be an officer.

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Daughter is currently a pre-nursing student AND in Army ROTC at UAB. Excellent program!!

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