waiver process

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Hello all,

I am now in the process of applying for the Navy Nurse Candidate Program. My "record" so to speak is pretty much spotless, except for one thing. I got injured in highschool playing sports, and I herniated a lumbar intervertebral disc. It was not that serious, and I was never forced to stop playing or being active, and I recovered by conservative measures. Everyone has been hurt at least one time, so I figure.

My recruiter and I discussed it, and I will likely be disqualified just for history of back pain. So then I go for the waiver. Who issues the waiver? is it the MEPS doctor, or is it the people that look over my packet? how long does the waiver process take?

any more input is greatly appreciated

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
Hello all,

I am now in the process of applying for the Navy Nurse Candidate Program. My "record" so to speak is pretty much spotless, except for one thing. I got injured in highschool playing sports, and I herniated a lumbar intervertebral disc. It was not that serious, and I was never forced to stop playing or being active, and I recovered by conservative measures. Everyone has been hurt at least one time, so I figure.

My recruiter and I discussed it, and I will likely be disqualified just for history of back pain. So then I go for the waiver. Who issues the waiver? is it the MEPS doctor, or is it the people that look over my packet? how long does the waiver process take?

any more input is greatly appreciated

The MEPS doctor notes that you have a disqualifier, and then the Navy issues the waiver. It is hard to say whether they will waiver it or not. The main thing they will look out is how old the injury is and has it caused continuing problems.

Good Luck!

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
Hello all,

I am now in the process of applying for the Navy Nurse Candidate Program. My "record" so to speak is pretty much spotless, except for one thing. I got injured in highschool playing sports, and I herniated a lumbar intervertebral disc. It was not that serious, and I was never forced to stop playing or being active, and I recovered by conservative measures. Everyone has been hurt at least one time, so I figure.

My recruiter and I discussed it, and I will likely be disqualified just for history of back pain. So then I go for the waiver. Who issues the waiver? is it the MEPS doctor, or is it the people that look over my packet? how long does the waiver process take?

any more input is greatly appreciated

Hello,

I am surprised that your recruiter thinks you will be dq'd for this.

However it is really up to the Meps physician, who will ask you in private about things.

So, bring documentation from your current doctor all about your injury, the diagnosis and so forth.

I had something that was potentially dq'able but, mentioned that there was never any issue with it for years and that my doctor dismissed it as being nothing. I got lucky that I didn't need to bring documentation but, I would suggest to bring it yourself.

Why not call up your doc and say that you are getting ready to go to meps and you need the information about your prior back injury in order to show that it was a temporary injury and not a debilitating one.

Good luck!

Gen

p.s. I have heard sometimes that recruiters just hate to have to do things that involve a patients medical records, so, go get 'em yourself! Good luck again

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Specializes in ER, Trauma, US Navy.

I second all of the above and don't listen to the recruiter about it, he/ she is not a doctor. Take all of your documentation with you, especially how long ago it occurred. I have broken every bone in my body except for the long bones, including ribs and sternum, had 10 concusions, even broke the orbit for my right eye and it was all dismissed since it happened in childhood. I've been in for 10+ years now, go see the MEPS doc and see what they say, good luck.

LCDR(s) Dan

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Specializes in OR Internship starting in Jan!!.

Dan, I'm a little worried about your childhood ;)

Good luck to the OP!

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Specializes in ER, Trauma, US Navy.

Accident prone kid of a Mom who was a nurse and she wonders how I ended up being an ER/ Trauma nurse. I told her, "I spent most my childhood in one, why mess with experience."

LCDR(s) Dan

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Specializes in critical care: trauma/oncology/burns.

LCDR Dan:

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha....my face hurts from the smile and laughter that I got from reading your post !!

Stay Safe!

Warrior Pride!

athena

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Specializes in ER,ICU and Progressive Care Unit,Peds.

LCDR Dan,

And I thought I was accident prone! (broke ulna and radius in rt arm, broke left wrist, broke right pinky, stitches in corner of my eye, all at different times) But you have me beat!

ENS PM

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