Frequency of Navy Nurse Deployments

[mrsclayton]

I just got accepted into a BSN program. I was thinking of joining the Navy (have always wanted to). But the deal is that I am a single mom of a daughter (4years old). I have family to keep her if I deploy, but what kind of deployment am I in for? Will I be gone for 6 months at a time every other year? My recruiter says "almost never", unless I do critical care. However, I know that he is paid to say such things. I don't mind moving often, as long as she can move with me. I just don't know if it would be worth it for me??

Also, my recruiter tells me I would almost guaranteed go to San Diego (would love it there). Is that true? Can they actually guarantee that before hand?

Any insight would help

[madwife2002, BSN, RN]

Good Morning and welcome to allnurses

[jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA]

I'm not sure how the Navy does their deployments. The AF potentially deploys 3-6 months out of every 18 months; ICU/ER/OR do deploy most. There is no way to know where your first base will be or how often you'll deploy for 100% certain. New grads always go to larger hospitals for their first base; that only narrows your options somewhat.

The recruiter may mean that the Navy's new grad training program (after basic officer training but before your first base) occurs in San Diego. That would be a TDY (temporary base) for a couple months, not a PCS (more permanent base). Even if you could guarantee your first base, you shouldn't join if living wherever the government tells you to doesn't sit well with you.

[jeckrn, BSN, RN]

San Diego is one of the big 3 Navy hospitals where most new grad nurse's go to so your chances are good that you could be stationed there for your first assignment.