U.S. Army Nurse

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Hello, just a quick question and I know that I should be going to AMED as well, but if anyone has an answer or advice I would greatly appreciate it. I am currently in the Army Reserves with a regular enlisted MOS. However, I am obtaining my BSN, is there a way for AMED to switch my contract over to be a nurse in the Army? And if so, is there any way I could go active duty at the same time? Thank you for any help

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the Government/Military forum

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

Talk to your current enlisted career field manager (probably highest ranking enlisted person in your current career field at your base). My guess is that you'll have to go through the formal process of being released early by the reserves. I would say your chances of being released early are slim to none.

It' not like you can start practicing independently as a nurse anyway. New grad nurses go through a lot of post-graduation training, and someone has to pay for that.

You can finish your reserve contract while working as a civilian RN. With experience (especially in ICU, ER, or OR), you could fairly easily direct commission from civilian to active duty when your reserve time is done.

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

You will need to speak with a healthcare recruiter they will be able to give you the correct information. Your enlisted manager will not have that information. It's not a big deal to get a conditional discharge (DD369)(or close to that number). What that is your local commander signs it off early in the process and if you get picked up you are released from your enlisted contract to sign your officer contract. Switching over to active duty from reserves is all most impossible right now if you get your commission in the reserves, not too sure about going enlisted to officer.

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Specializes in U.S. Army Reserve 1LT 66S - ICU.

Jeck for someone who has never been military but always wanted to give it a shot would you recommend active or reserve ? I've been a nurse for 8 years and enjoy my civ job but I am debating between the 2, don't want to be caught in position where I will regret not going but current ISP for reserve and the part time commitment seems like it would fit my life better, what are your 2 cents on this?

My recruiter says I will commission as an 1stLT due to time in grade and I can either go for active or reserve but he recommended reserve based on my situation and after 2/3 years of my commitment I can pursue active duty if I still wanted to - would greatly appreciate feedback, uve given me great advice in past glad to see you are still active on the forums

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

I served in the reserves and active and enjoyed both. You need to look at what is the best fit for you and your family. I was on active when I got out of high school went into the reserves after I got married. Once my kids were out of school I returned to active. Luckily the year I went back on active the recruiting goal for nurses was 1000. The next year it was 250 and has been falling since. In a couple of years it could be back to higher goals which will make switching easier but it is hard to say. The ISP for reserves is a little better than the active ISP.

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Specializes in U.S. Army Reserve 1LT 66S - ICU.

Thanks Jeck, are u still active right now? Seems like you have a very interesting career, I bet you will have a nice retirement workout with the mixture of active/reserves. And yes I think for now I will do reserves as well, while I am 29 and if I love military life I can try active once my youngest is done with HS.

The ISP for reserves is better which is a bit puzzling but I guess Army is trying to fill their shortages. The only thing that will be a pain in the butt for me is the 3 hr drive from Houston to Fort Sam in San Antonio but it's only one weekend a month and hopefully will be a worthy experience. Did you have to drive far for your drills? And thanks again for the advice

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

I got off active duty in August and retired from the Reserves in September. I did have an assignment were I drove 4 hours to drill for almost 2 years. There is no medical units closer than Ft. Sam? Is there any units to the east or north?

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Specializes in U.S. Army Reserve 1LT 66S - ICU.

Wow so 8 hr round trip total? Unfortunately no closer units unless my recruiter is not telling me, so basically 6hr round trip. Do you know if it's possible to transfer to a closer unit or do I have to do my whole 3 years to the unit I get assigned to at the start? Thx

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I'm not sure if there is a specific reason why you couldn't drill at Ellington in Southeast Houston, but it might be worth looking into. It is a joint reserve base for Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and National Guard. My Navy recruiter verified that if I went reserve, I would be able to drill there. I live less than 4 miles from it.

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Specializes in U.S. Army Reserve 1LT 66S - ICU.

jam, yes I have a coworker who's drills there she's a navy reservist, I checked with my recruiter and unfortunately Amedd only has available units in San Antonio and i wanted army. although it would be very convenient to drive 4 miles away, the isp bonus and higher rank makes up for it imo

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