Walter Reed in OCT

[SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN]

Hey all

I'm heading to Walter Reed in October as my first duty station. I'm going there before OBLC because the next training date is somewhere out in 2011 and they don't want us nurses sitting at home for any longer than we have to. Anyone already at / been to Walter Reed? I'm really excited and looking for advice! I'm also wondering how commissioning will work. I was told when I contracted that I'd get to commission at home, so I already asked someone to pin my first bars on me and I have a ton of people who want to seem me commission. I contacted the director of my program and he said I'll commission on the day I report to WRAMC. Does that mean I'll commission at WRAMC or at home?

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

Are you already on active duty as an enlisted member? I'm not Army, but I am Air Force and I know travel regs and all the moving regs are written by the DOD and are not service specific. I don't know how they could put you on orders and move you without you having rank and status as an AD member.

Any Army folks with input?

[SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN]

I'm a PFC in the nurse corps candidate program, which basically enlists college students in nursing programs into the IRR for the duration of their studies. After we pass the NCLEX and get a clean bill of health, we're commisioned to 2LT, put on active duty and sent off to OBLC (under normal circumstances) and then to our first duty station.

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

Then your situation is a bit different - but it STILL makes no sense because the rules for PCSing an LT are different than those for an enlisted member. Maybe our Army folks can help you sort this one out.

[SC APRN, DNP, APRN, NP]

Congrats that was my favorite duty station ever!!

[SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN]

Really? I'm really excited about it, too. It was my first choice! What did you like about it?

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

I went to Walter Reed for my commissioning physical, and I was very impressed! We did a tour of a couple of floors as well as the ED, and everyone was very friendly. We spoke with an assistant head nurse on one of the floors, and she described how supportive nurses are of each other there, and how they try to keep the assignments very fair. I was so jealous -- each ED RN has his/her own medic! They focus on what's best for patients. :) Good luck!!

[SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN]

Hey, thanks for the info! I'm really excited now. I was excited before, of course, but your description sounds great! :)

[SC APRN, DNP, APRN, NP]

My time at WRAMC was the best and worst experience of my life. It was very rewarding caring for the best patients on the planet, but it was very sad at times. On some levels it was more difficult than my deployment. I would go back in a heartbeat. I loved living in that area and taking advantage of everything there is to do. I loved all the great restaurants, sight seeing, museums. Don't ride the metro to work!!

[SC APRN, DNP, APRN, NP]

Don't miss the Easter sunrise service, it's a long standing traditon. Tens of thousands used to attend when there were not walls or fences at WRAMC. It's in the Rose Garden, and next year is probably the last one.