Thinking about joining the Navy reserve, need advice

[jmeng]

I have a BSN in nursing and currently taking some masters program and applied for a couple of school for CRNA program to begin in september 2010. I have a 4+ years of nursing experience with 1+ years of ICU with CCRN certification. I am thinking of joining the Navy reserve after thorough investigation of the army reserve/navy reserve/air force. Though Airforce reserve is the one i like, I dont think i will be able to pass the physical requirement. The navy reserve physical requirement seems OK. I am 5'6" and 143 lbs. I dont really run or i dont really work out but i am planning to practice for the test. So here are my questions:

1) How hard is to get into the navy compare to the others?

2) How long does it take for the paper work?

3)As a reserve, Do i get my tuition paid (BSN and MSN)? And how long do i need to serve?

4) Is there a bonus to sign up?

5) While in CRNA school, how much money do i get as stipend?

6) Can i stay as reserve for ever or do i need to change to active duty?

7) How long are deployments?

8) Do i get health insurance while on reserve?

My main purpose of joing the Navy reserve is having my school tuition paid off...my bachelors, my masters and my future CRNA school. As a reserve, i am planning to work in civilian hospitals as perdiem basis incase i get deployed...thus having health insurance at all times is very important to me as well. I really dont mind going to places since i am single and i am kind of a travel nurse on/off...

thanks

[SanDgroovy]

Hi,

I'm an ER RN, I can't offer much advice since I'm waiting on my kit to make it to board selection myself but can try to answer what I can since I had a lot of the same questions!

Since 2008, I've talked to AF Reserve, Army Reserve, and really liked Navy Reserve. I come from 100% AF family (even extended family is 100% AF) so they were confused with my decision.

Just talking to my recruiter over the months, she said the amount of applicants has significantly increased, thus making the competition tough but I heard this is true for ALL branches, AD & Reserve. She said at one point, they met their quotas for certain specialties, including ER (great for them, not so good news for me)!

I've been at it since April. I got my kit complete at the end of Oct because of delays of getting letters, getting transcripts from out of state, etc. It's easier to have all that ready to go, the sooner the better! Between selection board, getting selected, receiving official signed documents, and getting sworn in, I believe that can take a few months if there are no issues with your kit.

They may offer a sign on bonus, but that can change. I saw that the site stated $30,000 last year, and a few weeks ago, the site stated $10,000. Depends on what they are offering at that time you sign up, so talk to the recruiter.

As for education & benefits, I googled GI Bill & Tricare insurance for reserves. From what I briefly read, one must serve for 6 years to get the education GI Bill?? If I'm wrong, someone can correct me. The Tricare website states how much it'll cost for insurance.

You DO NOT have to switch to Active Duty, in fact, I was told it was TOUGH to switch to full time AD; that is what I want to do after a few years in the reserves but I may not even be able to so.

Some allnurses members may respond with "do a search on Navy Reserve" but I found it difficult to find threads specifc to my questions regarding Navy Reserves, found quite a few in regards to AD Navy. Either way, you may find some good stuff in the search.

Hopefully more Navy Reservist RNs can chime in! Good luck in your quest!