Nursing in the military ...

seewhiterabbit · Jan 10, 2003

I don't know anything about nursing and the military but I do know that my husband's brother and his wife joined the army together. The husband had already been in the army and he is a sargeant but she had never been in before. So he signed up for the army again and then she began her basic training. Well anyway things havent worked the way they wanted them to work and they arent even living in the same state and havent been for like a year. I think they have seen each other once and they are separated now...I don't think it's good for a marriage. They are separated physically and emotionally. She is going into radiology or something like that and where he is based(stationed) there isnt even a hospital so she wont even be able to work where he is stationed which means they still wont be in the same place. To me it isnt worth it no matter how much easier it makes money matters and education. Education is very important to me but I'm married and I want to stay around my husband...so I don't mind taking out loans and then working as a nurse and paying them back later..

SmilingBluEyes · Jan 10, 2003

Easy money? Not in the military; trust me, they will extract their pound of flesh for that "easy money" for education you refer to; esp if you are a nurse. This from a 10-year-AF vet. If you really wish to do military service, I wish you luck. Since you are single, no kids, it may VERY much be for you. But don't think for a minute it will be "easy". Good luck.

MishlB · Jan 10, 2003

Originally posted by BluEyz
Hey ...

A new idea has crossed my mind in the last few days, and I was wondering if anyone had any input while I'm thinking it through.

I'm considering joining the Air Force or Navy reserve for the purpose of an easy bit of money for school and some loan repayment once I get my BSN.

Anyways, thanks in advance!
:)
Kelly

FIRST OF ALL...an easy bit of money??????????? I spent 12 years in the military, and it was not easy. Are you aware of what you must go through to become a member of the military? Remember that reserves are being pulled on a daily basis to fulfill the requirements of the nation at this time, so if I were you, I would think long and hard if you are looking for some easy money.

cindyln · Jan 10, 2003

I am not in the military but I am a nurse at an army hospital. SOmething you have to remember when you put on the green suit is that you are a 24/7 person to them.If they need extra hands or a civilian is sick guess who gets called, the military person. Think through this long and hard. You will never be able to call your life yours/

N2bate · Jan 10, 2003

I just separated from the military after doing my 4 year required committment (for being in AFROTC). While I am grateful for the portion of my education that the AF paid for me and I am proud to say that I served my country, I would NEVER do it again. Not because the AF was a bad experience but because the AF medical community is in ill-repair. We were always undermanned, poorly resourced, over worked and most important, our leadership was abismal--I won't go into the leadership issue but that alone was enough to make me turn in my commission at the first opportunity.

All I can say is give it all some thought. While the tuition repayment offers are nice, you may regret not taking student loans to pay your bills...Good luck

cindyln · Jan 10, 2003

Originally posted by N2bate
I just separated from the military after doing my 4 year required committment (for being in AFROTC). While I am grateful for the portion of my education that the AF paid for me and I am proud to say that I served my country, I would NEVER do it again. Not because the AF was a bad experience but because the AF medical community is in ill-repair. We were always undermanned, poorly resourced, over worked and most important, our leadership was abismal--I won't go into the leadership issue but that alone was enough to make me turn in my commission at the first opportunity.
All I can say is give it all some thought. While the tuition repayment offers are nice, you may regret not taking student loans to pay your bills...Good luck

and it is the same with the army

BluEyz · Jan 10, 2003

Thanks for the responses. I shouldn't have said easy money I suppose. I do understand what it takes to get in, and that they are calling people up, but that's just one side of it. What I was really interested in was what cindyln and n2bate brought up, the state of the medical community within the military. I was wondering how it was, and it sounds like it's not picture perfect.

I definitely think that if I do decide to serve, I will spend some time at the local af hospital to see what it's like ... maybe follow some af nurses around and talk to them for input!

Thanks for the input all! It's really appreciated ... gives me one more viewpoint to consider!

:)

Kelly

MishlB · Jan 10, 2003

Since I was in the medical field while in the military, I can say this....the doctors are no better or no worse than in civilian life. They have schedules to stick to, and also have "other" jobs that they must do in addition to seeing patients. I personally felt the cameraderie was great, but that was where I was stationed. There are regional hospitals, such as Wilford Hall in Texas, that specialize in many areas...oncology, oral surgery, etc......

A comment made earlier was that your life is no longer your own...100% correct! You are military 24/7/365...reserves or not. You learn to become disciplined and to follow direction. No questins asked! So if you have a problem with following orders that you may or may not agree with...think again! Hey, I guess it sounds a lot like nursing, huh????

I received the GI Bill which I used to put myself through school. It doesn't cover everything, but it helps. It was a great experience, and I think it's the reason why I don't put up with much crap.

StrugglinStuden · Jan 10, 2003

I am currently in the Army Guard and am working as a nurse. Its great because the guard pays 100% of my school tuition. Bad because my teachers yell at me because the guard does things a little differntly than the teachers teach it. Being in the guard helped out because I already had an idea about basic skills when I started nursing school....

My husband is an army recruiter for active duty and the reserves, PM me if you have any questions. He is always answering questions regarding tuition repayment and GI bill benifits. Good luck in whatever you decide to do in whatever branch. The rewards of the service are things you will cherish for the rest of your life.

BluEyz · Jan 10, 2003

Thanks for the positive responses too! I assumed that the doctors were about the same there. And as for following orders, as long as they don't risk the life of patients, I'll be ok.

Still thinking!

:)

Kelly

Momto2Boys · Jan 10, 2003

Kelly,

My hubby is in the Military and I take classes on base and I noticed that a lot of soldiers find it very hard to get their education while in the Military there are a lot of field exercises etc. this is for the Army. I have heard though that the Air Force is a bit more helpful with your education. I honestly don't think it will be easy, but worth a look into further. I would do it if I didn't have kids. Good luck to you! :)