What is it like being a practical nursing specialist (68C)?

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Aug 2020 20:40:58 -0400

I am 17 years old and I just swore in and signed a 6 year contract for the 68C MOS. This is my senior year of High school and my ship date is 20210601. I just want an overview of what it’s like day to day. Also my basic is 9 weeks, and then I start my AIT in Fort Sam for 51 weeks. How often would I be going home? And the last thing I’m wondering is after AIT completion, what qualifications, certifications would I be getting to help me out after my contract?

Response by SPC Sean Roycroft made Aug 14 at 2020 9:12 PM

SPC Sean Roycroft — Fri, 14 Aug 2020 21:12:46 -0400

When I was in (99-02) it was (91C). I was able to take leave after medic training because I had 4 weeks between that and phase 1 of my 91C program (not everyone does). I got a NREMT after medic training and LPN (State of Texas) after my 91C training. If you live anywhere but Texas, you will have to transfer your license (While serving your Texas License works anywhere). This takes time, with me Illinois took so long that I got an Indiana (MUCH QUICKER) license, so I could work there while waiting. I'm not sure what the market is like now, but i had no problem getting work. I was only in 3 years because when I signed up they were VERY short on LPNs and had a "discount" on the MOS.

My recommendation, if you don't stay in, is to enroll in the GI Bill and get your RN, RIGHT AFTER you get out. Work part time as an LPN while you are in school if it's at all financially possible. Once you start working full time it's harder (but not impossible) to fit school in.

GOOD LUCK & THANK YOU for your (future) service!!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2020 9:18 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Aug 2020 21:18:51 -0400

You’ll probably get some scheduled leave during the Christmas etc holiday period and some time between phase I and II. The basic certification is as a Licensed Practical Nurse after taking and passing the national certification board then applying for a license in a state. Additional stuff like BLS, ACLS, trauma, PALS, etc depends on your unit and available funds. After I got off active duty the first time I did an LPN to RN bridge program in less than a year.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2020 10:11 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Aug 2020 22:11:33 -0400

Be prepared to be a holdover at ft sam for a while before going to your phase II site. I was in the same company with the 68C’s and a lot of them were there for 1-2 months after they graduated from ft sam before shipping to their clinical sites. I was there in October 2019 and it’s pretty chill there. Wasn’t a very high fail rate for most classes so just make sure you study and you’ll be fine. You don’t get to take leave when you’re in IET except for holiday block leave. But how many days leave you get will also depend on your student detachment commander at your clinical site. Message me if you want a day to day schedule. I was just there a year ago. It’s unlikely to have changed that much since then.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2020 11:22 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Aug 2020 11:22:31 -0400

Start doing college as soon as you graduate if you want to ever get promoted. You’ll graduate with a LPN license from Texas but those hours will not convert to a bridge program for an RN program for you, so if you want to become an RN you’ll need some college. The reason is your AIT does not produce letter grades in the subjects you study and RN programs will not accept any credits that don’t have letter grades.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2020 1:30 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Aug 2020 13:30:42 -0400

If you search answers for 68c you will see many post for 68C with quite a bit of information.