Posted on 03/09/2008 11:34:39 PM PDT by 60Gunner
I have been thinking about this since nursing school. It was always a matter of the right motives, but the wrong time.
Well, I have been talking to the Assistant Gunner (My bride of 19 years) and she agrees that the time is right.
So I contacted my good friend who is a medical recruiter for the US Navy. He has laid out the whole shooting match for me, good and bad. I relayed this to my wife. She says, "God will guide us and whatever happens, He'll take care of us. Do what you know is right."
So I informed my friend that I am seeking a commission in the United States Navy Reserve to serve in the USN Nurse Corps. He has been talking to me for years, and was thrilled to hear my decision. It's a process likely to take about six months, but that's okay. I'm ready for this.
I'll keep you posted.
One ER NUrsing Pingy-wingy!
Welcome aboard, shipmate. God bless and protect you and yours. You are about to meet some of the finest people on the planet, and maybe I’m just a leetle teeny bit prejudiced in saying it. A Navy BTT.
Okay, just try not to shoot yourself in the foot. :D
And thanks, Gunner, for your service to our country.
Lost one to the sea, did we?
It’s ok. I’m sure some FReepers still got ground-pounding in them! ;)
Good luck to you, and if you ever feel the urge to go OD Green, we’ll take ya!
Godspeed.
Maybe this will help. My wife worked for 15 years in the private sector until last year. Then, after much research, talking to commissioned officers, several interviews, and *lots* of paperwork, she accepted a LCDR commission in the USPHS Commission Corps. For the first couple of months, she was stressed out because the job is so different from the private sector. Now she is settled in and not looking back. She enjoys going to work. She can’t say the same about her last two employers. The pay seems lower at first glance, but once you factor in the federal/state tax breaks you receive as part of the uniformed services, plus free health care, it’s pretty much a wash within 24 months. For you, having to receive medical care on base may take some getting used to. For your wife, she gets Tri-Care Standard by default and can pretty much go anyplace she wants to in the private sector, with co-pays similar to typical private-sector health insurance. Probably the most rewarding part is the satisfaction of serving your country. Another plus is still being able to receive a full pension if you are in long enough. Good luck.
folks ...what’s the age limit?....one of my biggest regrets is not going into the service right after nursing school...
The USPHS age limit is 44, plus credit for any time served in the military. For example, if you served four years prior, your age limit would be 48.
The Navy Reserve Nurse Corps has a “soft” age limit of 40. From the Navy Reserve website: “Age - You should be at least 18 and no older than 40 years of age at time of appointment. Maximum age limits may be waived on a case-by-case basis, depending on qualifications and the needs of the Navy Reserve.”
http://www.navyreserve.com/opportunities/officer/healthcare_nc.jsp
I have read many of your posts regarding your insights working in the ER. You have a compassionate heart, IMO not even personally knowing you, the Navy is getting a big prize on this one.
Good Luck to you and Congratulations. Also, thank you to your wife for giving you the support to do this.
God Bless You and Thank you for your service. Our Military guys and gals need are gaining a FRiend with a big heart.
Again, Good Luck and Thanks!!!! ( Have fun ) It sounds like you are looking forward to this.
We'll not hold that against you...
I did not commission until I was 30 - after a 9 year break i service.
One thing you'll note is that once you are an Ensign, you'll have much more respect accorded to you due to your age and experience vs. all the other Ensigns.
Welcome to Officer-land.
Besides, it's only the Reserves. I'm still keeping my full-time position at my hospital. And I look damned good in dress blues.
Good luck to you.
Good for you, sir.
Having spent over 25 years of commissioned service in the Navy I say, Welcome aboard.
Excellent news. Fair winds and following seas.
As soon as you are eligible, join USAA.
It used to be 37 with a waver for each year of prior active duty.
oops ..... sorry I missed your post ...disregard my erroneous data. That is what happens to an old Chief that has be drydocked for tooo many years
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