Too old?

Specialties Government

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

I always wanted to join the military but, for various reasons, never did. I'm now 38 (39 in a couple weeks) with a BSN and 3 years of ICU and ED and am a charge nurse and preceptor.

I'd love to be in the Reserves or Guard. I need probably 6 months to get in shape - I'm overweight but losing consistently and need to work on my run and push-ups. I'm familiar with the physical requirements.

Am I too old? Are there any age waivers these days? Or am I out of time? I have no prior service.

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Specializes in Operating room, ER, Home Health.

I believe it’s between 40-42 for nurses depending on the service. You need to contact a healthcare recruiter for each service to find out the latest information. They are not very fast at getting back to you.

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For the US Navy its 47. I commissioned last year 8 days before my 39th birthday. Call a Healthcare recruiter and go from there.

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Specializes in Acute Dialysis; CVOR.

I just commissioned into the Army Reserves this past Feb right before my 41st. You can get in shape while you start the process. it will take about that long if not longer ?

If Army, just make sure you find an AMEDD/healthcare recruiter.... in the beginning I had a recruiter from the enlisted side leading me in the wrong direction

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Specializes in ID.

For the Air Force Reserve, I believe it's somewhere between 40-45 but I am not 100% sure. Contact either a Guard or Reserve Health Professions Recruiter. The recruiters you see around your city are likely not officer/healthcare recruiters and may lead you the wrong way (one was about to make me enlist ?)

Pro tip: Do not be discouraged if they do not get back to you on time. Perseverance is key! These types of recruiters barely have any help and have lots of people applying.

Good luck!

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for Active Duty Air Force it's like 46 before you need a wavier and I want to say more like 49 or 50 for reserves before you need a wavier. Hubby commissioned as and ED nurse at age 36 and I'm in the process of trying to get through the medical stuff to commission as an ED nurse an I just turned 37. If it's something you're thinking about, I say give it a shot! You'll very likely have at least 6mo to simply apply/process paperwork so you'll have plenty of time to get in shape!

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Specializes in NP / USAFR Flight Nurse.

For reserves, you are fine. I commissioned at 40 in the USAF Reserve.

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Specializes in PSYCH NP, ER, ICU, PACU, NAVY NURSE.
On 6/22/2020 at 7:50 PM, Raven Sierra said:

I always wanted to join the military but, for various reasons, never did. I'm now 38 (39 in a couple weeks) with a BSN and 3 years of ICU and ED and am a charge nurse and preceptor.

I'd love to be in the Reserves or Guard. I need probably 6 months to get in shape - I'm overweight but losing consistently and need to work on my run and push-ups. I'm familiar with the physical requirements.

Am I too old? Are there any age waivers these days? Or am I out of time? I have no prior service.

Any luck joining?

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