40-yr-old ADN wants to join army reserves,

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Sep 30, 2009

Yes it is, but there are not many slots for new (in the Army) ADN nurses so contact a healthcare recruiter right away. Make sure it is a healthcare recruiter vs an enlisted recruiter.

Unless things change a age waiver will be needed to go on active duty. The last I heard was they where not being approved at this time since more nurses are stating on active duty at this time. But like everything it is subject to change. If our economy has improved by the time you get your BSN they might be approving them then as more nurses leave the service. A HC recruiter can give you better answers on how things stand today for the age waivers. I have also heard about a program with 2 years of active duty for older nurses but do not know much about it.

staceysue · Sep 30, 2009

Thanks for the quick reply, Jeck.

How does the reserve thing work? I do my 2 weekends a month and 2 weeks a year and get paid to go to school, right? Then I have to pay them back a year for every 6 months? Do I have to wait to start school or will they pay right away?

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Sep 30, 2009

You will do 1 weekend a month, 2 weeks a year. If you use the STRAP program you will have the choice of either drilling or not, it is up to you. Not sure of how they start paying but you can start school now and once approved they the STRAP payments will start. Do not know if you have to wait until the start of a semester for the payments to start or from the day you are approved. If you are using STRAP you will not be deployed.

idtx2 · Sep 30, 2009

I'm also 40 with an ADN and was looking into the Army. This is what I've been told, if you want to go active and do not have prior service you must sign your active duty contract before turning 42 years old to ensure you can get 20 years in before mandatory retirement age at 62. If you go reserves initially there is a chance that you can switch over to active duty when you get your BSN (must first be released from your reserve unit which can take significant time) prior to turning 42, but no guarantees. You can submit your active duty application packet 12 months out so the advice I was given was to find an accelerated RN to BSN program, get enrolled, send packet forward when within 12 months of graduation, use student loans to pay for school and take loan repayment on your initial active duty contract. No idea how new incentives/requirements for fiscal 2010 would effect this plan.

Good Luck!!

staceysue · Sep 30, 2009

Thanks, idtx2. Have you talked to anybody our age who's been deployed? I'd like to honestly know what it's like before I sign my life away.

idtx2 · Sep 30, 2009

I have not, but the recruiter told me if I signed a 4 year contract (in his opinion) there would be a 100% chance of being deployed.

Check out this blog of an Army nurse current deployed:

http://nursebeth.blogspot.com/

Skeletor · Sep 30, 2009

Thanks, idtx2. Have you talked to anybody our age who's been deployed? I'd like to honestly know what it's like before I sign my life away.

It's a honor to serve and care for those protecting us abroad. :smokin:

staceysue · Sep 30, 2009

Thanks, DIC. I know it's an honor but I don't know if I'm up for it.

staceysue · Sep 30, 2009

idtx2 - that is just what I needed! Look - they don't look miserable! She gets to read! They have KIDS there?! Hope I won't have to take care of injured kids - that would break my heart. Ohh - they hear gunfire DAILY - that's got to be stressful.

I wonder how much time they spend - you know - under tables as bombs go off all around them etc. Anybody know?

It sounds exciting but at the same time very scary.

Skeletor · Oct 1, 2009

Thanks, DIC. I know it's an honor but I don't know if I'm up for it.

Just make sure you are 100% positive about your decision before swearing in. Take your time to decide. I wish you the best of "luck."

:mad:

Tucwebb · Oct 3, 2009

You might also consider Air Force Nursing/Air Force Reserve Nursing. As for deployment, it is an honor to serve because you are taking care of those that put their lives on the line for the rest of us. What we do is minuscule when you put it all into perspective.