Military Nursing Questions Answered

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  • Specializes in Critical Care Emergency Military Nursing.

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Trauma Columnist

traumaRUs, MSN, APRN

88 Articles; 21,249 Posts

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

The military retirement system is far different now than it was for those of us who came in in the 70's. My husband is retired AirForce and reitred in 1995 - yep he is still working too.

However, the retirement system has changed.

gypsyd8

1 Article; 276 Posts

Specializes in TELE, CVU, ICU.

I actually had some questions but felt some trepidation about asking as most of the respondents are speaking a different language. Ill try to make this short.

After 5 years of nursing I spoke to a recruiter about joining. He realized that I already had my RN and eventually connected me with an AMEDD recruiter who after talking to me awhile basically said I had to get my BSN. I did, graduated in May, and after some runaround finally got in touch with another representative who said that now I am too old. Before I graduated the cutoff was 40 something but now its 30 something (I'm 37). I figured oh well, but its still bugging me. Perhaps I am too old and it wasn't meant to be but I don't see the harm in exploring all my options. I transferred to the unit so now I have that experience as well. Would they really discount an experienced provider due to age? I have at least another 20 years of work in me, probably more. I fully intend on getting my Master's. I was originally looking at the Army but I would consider another branch.

Sheepwithagun

61 Posts

I'm toying around with the idea of joining the Navy, but the only specialty I want to do is OR nursing. I'm a RN, BSN with 1 year OR experience (at a level 1 trauma center if that helps?). What are the chances I end up in the OR with the Navy? Do you end up on whatever unit they want and then you have to apply to change?

navyman7

125 Posts

Specializes in Critical Care Emergency Military Nursing.

Gypsyd8: The Navy's age limit is 38, I think (99% sure). I know that the Army has a a little higher age limit. I would get started asap if you are thinking about the Navy. The application process can take a while. Good Luck.

navyman7

125 Posts

Specializes in Critical Care Emergency Military Nursing.

Sheepwithagun: Not a problem. They are usually pretty good about getting people into the OR right away, especially if you have some experience first. But like everything about the military nothing is 100%. The Navy also has a periop program that you may be interested in. I don't have any details about it, you would have to talk to a OR nurse about those specifics.

Editorial Team / Moderator

Lunah, MSN, RN

14 Articles; 13,766 Posts

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Gypsyd8: The Navy's age limit is 38, I think (99% sure). I know that the Army has a a little higher age limit. I would get started asap if you are thinking about the Navy. The application process can take a while. Good Luck.

According to the Navy website, the Navy's age range is 18 to 41: Nurse : Health Care : Careers & Jobs : America’s Navy: Navy.com

babe48076

81 Posts

I am planning on submitting my application this year. I am curious on what to expect as a Navy Nurse. Is working in the hospital on a Naval base similar as the civilian world? Meaning do they do 12 hour shifts? Also how many times have you been deployed in your career? Thank you for starting this discussion.

Witchbaby

11 Posts

Hi! Im a licensed RN, finishing my BSN this May. Is having some clinical experience a must when joining navy reserves? Also, they say one has to be in good physical shape. How "good" you have to be? Im fit, but relatively strong..do I have to meet certain physical reqs (like 50 push-ups, etc)? Thank you in advance!

I appreciate this Q&A forum and need anyone to post a reply and help me out. I left this post in a different thread so here it is again.

I have been reading posts related to the Navy Nurse Corps. For this last few days, I have been gathering info on how to get in by DA. It's tough I know and I wish it wasn't so. I've contacted the Medical Program Officer in my area- so far we are playing phone tag but I'm sure we will be able to have a conversation this upcoming week. I am a Public Health Nurse with a focus on Psych/Mental Health. There is nothing I want more than becoming a PMHNP/FNP (I plan to obtain a post-cert after I find out what the Navy's needs are) and serving those who served. My hubs recently separated from the Navy after nearly a decade and has given me the ok to go for my dream of being a Navy Nurse. What a guy...

About Me:

1. 34 soon-to-be 35 y/o female

2. Graduated in May 2008 with a 3.3 (not a strong GPA but I got into a great school with a special needs kid in a city I didn't know much about. My husband was gone that whole time so I'm happy with what I've accomplished.

3. Won a spot in the VA Nursing Academy in VA SD Medical Center.

4. 2 Awards given by my employer.

5. I'm a go-getter and has been so fortunate to never have to go the Plan B route. I get it done.

6. Public Health Nurse: Tons of mental health, admin, quality assurance type of experience.

7. I have realistic expectations. I come from a military family as did my hubs. I am all about this.

Any thoughts or advice? How about #6? Is this a done deal because I am not a hospital nurse? If they need me on the floor, I'll take it but wondering if I should say that as to not sound so Navy-desperate; without sound goals. Did I mention I want this so bad? Haha. I need a pick-me-up. I am not the type to get nervous and not give up but I am getting pretty antsy. I don't know what to think.

Thanks all in advance!

CynRN11

24 Posts

After reading and following posts on this forum, I don't know that I could say with any certainty what the Navy is looking for in candidates at this time. I have seen all over the place, though, that Psych nursing are in demand. I've posted in a different thread, but I am 41, a new grad (May 2011) that was accepted as DA (general nurse), but I started the application process a full two years ago. I have 6 months experience in the OR as a circulator, and would like to stay in the OR, but I took any designation they were willing to give me :) I also had to go through the waiver process, after getting the "letter" that I was medically disqualified, so I certainly understand your nervousness in the process. As I've said before, I came to believe the process was what actually tested my mental toughness, because I also felt I wanted this so bad. There were times when I thought I was going to unravel because of the uncertainty...but as a professor told me one time, we all have uncertainty that follows us around, but we don't have to invite it to pull up a chair for dinner!

Take heart and don't get discouraged! And hopefully you have a good recruiter to guide you though everything. My was awesome and a tremendous help when I felt like throwing in the towel.

CynRN11

24 Posts

Navyman7

Thanks for addressing OR nursing. Since that is my interest, I will bring it up once I get to my duty station.

I won't get discouraged CynRN11 and congratulations! As long as the positive outcomes continue, I will plug and chug with my recruiter.

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