Consider military nursing??

[Dino]

Was wondering if anyone had any feedback about making military nursing a wise career move? For me this would be a 2nd career, I've been working in another area for a while now, and want a change. I feel like I would feel better about myself by helping others, esp. ones' who serve our nation, vs making decent money in civilian world but little reward, or satisfaction. I'd also like to see other areas of the country, maybe even some overseas. I'm in my 30's and have a good shot at the NCP, I have been accepted to a 2nd degree nursing program, my undergrad degree is in the sciences as well. Questions below are:

1.What is the lifestyle like vs civilian, pros, cons, ability to chose within relative reason where you would like to go?

2. I might be interested in anesthesia in military as career, options there?

3. My first duty station, can I pick east or west coast, and if I can chose, am I stuck for career on either coast?

4. Differences between services as a nurse, pros, cons?

5. How difficult or easy is it to do 20 years as a nurse in military, would anyone recomend doing 20 in nursing in military.

6. Any other comments good or bad that would help my decision would be great, thanks.

[wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

Was wondering if anyone had any feedback about making military nursing a wise career move? For me this would be a 2nd career, I've been working in another area for a while now, and want a change. I feel like I would feel better about myself by helping others, esp. ones' who serve our nation, vs making decent money in civilian world but little reward, or satisfaction. I'd also like to see other areas of the country, maybe even some overseas. I'm in my 30's and have a good shot at the NCP, I have been accepted to a 2nd degree nursing program, my undergrad degree is in the sciences as well. Questions below are:

1.What is the lifestyle like vs civilian, pros, cons, ability to chose within relative reason where you would like to go?

2. I might be interested in anesthesia in military as career, options there?

3. My first duty station, can I pick east or west coast, and if I can chose, am I stuck for career on either coast?

4. Differences between services as a nurse, pros, cons?

5. How difficult or easy is it to do 20 years as a nurse in military, would anyone recomend doing 20 in nursing in military.

6. Any other comments good or bad that would help my decision would be great, thanks.

My best advice is to check out all the military branches and USPHS each one is a little different and has different things to offer.

The Navy has the best duty stations hands down. The Army gets deployed the most/longest, and is the most gung ho/military type of nursing. The AF is the smallest military service it has the shortest deployments, it is more laid back in some ways, has the shortest depolyments, usually has decent facilities when deployed, but is slowest for career progressions of all the branches. USPHS from what I understand is as close to civilian nursing while still getting the same uniformed service benefits as you can get , and career progression is the fastest in USPHS.

In general it is much better being a nurse in the military. Military nurses rarely call in, there is true team work on most units, and there is a career ladder that is unmatched in any civilian job that I know of.

I don't see 20yrs being a problem, because you are constantly moving every few years and always taking on new jobs in the military. I have been in 6yrs and it hardly seems like it all.

Going to nurse anesthesia in the military is a long drawn out process. Each branch is different in applying for school, if you come in as a new nurse it will take several years before you are even eligible to apply to nurse anesthesia school. Starting this year all military students will either go USUHS or Ft Sam Houston. The Navy will send all their students to USUHS, the AF and Army go to either USUHS or Ft Sam Houston. Check out some of my old posts and Lt Dan's posts to get some more in depth information. I am currently fininshing up my 1st year at USUHS.

You had mentioned money: Military nurses, in general, make better money than their civilian counterparts. It takes about 4 years to really be competitive with civilian nursing, but after that your pay will exceed most civilian nurses.

Good Luck!

Capt E, USAF, NC, SRNA

[pittbull]

Hello all. I am new to this site as I am new to nursing. I was recently accepted to a 3-yr hospital program in the northeast. This is a 2nd career move for me as I have earned both my B.S. and M.A. in other fields where I have worked for the last several years. I am thrilled that I will be officially beginning my nursing education in the Fall and quite relieved to have successfully completed some of the pre-req's prior to my entrance. My question to anyone is this: are the benefits of military nursing worth the comittment? I am considering the Reserves, but am not confident as to which branch would be best for me and I am very nervous that if I enlist in the Reserves, I would have to put my education on hold for the sake of deployment. (I have a little one at home too...of course I must also consider my toddler.) Can anyone lend any insight? It would be so greatly appreciated. Thank you.