[RNPATL]

As the moderator for this forum ... I am interested to know where everyone is from, their background, branch of service (or VA VISN) and what they like the best about Military or VA Nursing .... this forum generally has some really good traffic, and I would like to pull all of us together and get to know one another a little better.

[oicu8bacilli]

Air Force here. Background is critical care. I don’t know what I like about military nursing. I’m staying to retire, but free healthcare fosters NO responsibility on the part of my pts and they come in for the most benign things; clogging an already busy waiting room and taxing dwindling resources. If I could get everyone in the military to go to Wal Mart and spend $1.00 on a zillion tab bottle of ibuprofen, I’d be a much happier person. The education level also astounds me. So far, military nursing doesn’t impress me much and I miss civilian critical care.

[SarahLovesNovember]

Army here. 91 W (Health Care Specialist) but perform a lot of RN duties. Stationed in Germany and working in a clinic that is supporting those coming from Down Range (Iraq). Seen some mighty injuries and helped some wonderful people. Do not intend on making the military a career. Most people here in the the Health Care field do not have a head to screw on. Need some substance but until then I am going to school for pre-dental (opposites I know)

[RedBait]

RN for 28 yrs, 22 in ICU, 2 years GS worker in ICU at Tripler Army Med Center in Honolulu (combination active duty military and VA). The pay here is way, way better than any other hospital on the islands because of the COLA. I've spent all the rest of my experience in a large, big city, university system and the medicine takes a little getting used to for me.

I was wondering if anyone is or has worked critical care at VA/Palo Alto. Pro's? Con's?

[armyrn]

RN for 6 years, last 3 in OR. I left the Army on 1 Sep, planning to commission into the Air Force next week. My wife wanted me to get out completely, but agreed to the Air Force because of the Army IRR callups (I'd still owe 2 years) and the shorter deployments for USAF. I like that I don't stay in the same place too long, the pay and benifits are great, and 90% of the time, my patients are unconscious. I am planning to stay in and try for CRNA school.

[dustydog]

Hi everyone! I'm AF retired fixin to start my first year of the RN program. I'm so excited and I can't think of anything I'd like to do more than helping our military. Thank you for this thread. I look forward to hearing about your experiences working at VA hospitals/clinics. I'm currently in eastern Ohio close to the Ohio river -- beautiful country but no VA hospital close by.

[RNPATL]

Originally Posted by dustydog

Hi everyone! I'm AF retired fixin to start my first year of the RN program. I'm so excited and I can't think of anything I'd like to do more than helping our military. Thank you for this thread. I look forward to hearing about your experiences working at VA hospitals/clinics. I'm currently in eastern Ohio close to the Ohio river -- beautiful country but no VA hospital close by.

Welcome to the forum, we are glad that you are here and thrilled at your level of excitement with becoming a nurse. You are sure to get a lot of great information here and hope that you return often.

Good luck with your nursing education.

[dustydog]

Thank you RNPATL for the nice welcome and the support.

[kevinRN]

I am from Oklahoma City. I recently graduated RN school and served in the Navy as a hospital corpsman for 7 years.

[psychnursenks]

Hi I am an RN that is in the process of joining the Air Force - provided they accept me. I have already passed the physical and my paperwork goes before the board within the next month or so. Then I have some interviews etc. A little nervous - look forward to it though. If they don't accept me - not sure what I'm going to do - maybe look at another branch.