Military OR

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Specializes in Cardiology.

Hello! Does anyone work in the OR for say the Air Force reserve, Navy reserve, or Army reserve?

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Specializes in Cardiac (adult), CC, Peds, MH/Substance.

What're you trying to find out?

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

In the reserves it depends on the unit. If you are close to a military hospital with an OR that is open on weekends you will work there at times. If there is not one close you will only work in the OR when you deploy. In the field you will set one up and "play" but the chances are you will not do any surgeries. On your 2 weeks of active duty and you are in the field you might do a couple of minor surgeries.

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Specializes in Cardiology.

What they do, how do you like it (OR and being in the AF reserves), training, etc.

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Specializes in CMSNB, NCM, PACU.

Hey OU, I can't send messages yet because I haven't posted enough, so I will respond to your PM this way. :)

It's not a bad gig. I'm in an FST right now. They don't really have a spot for me as I'm a med-surg nurse (66H) and I'm in a periop slot (66E). Which is part of the reason I am going to the periop course this summer. Depending on what your specialty is you would probably need to get into a CSH or an FST. I like it a lot, I have a great unit though and leadership is pretty good. Those two things can make or break you. Nice thing about reserves is that it's easier to transfer among units so long as they have a slot open for you.

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Specializes in Cardiac (adult), CC, Peds, MH/Substance.

Some units also let you drill at other locations and will pay for flights and such, if there isn't an appropriate facility locally.

I vote for FST(ABN), because: How else are you going to be able to tell your friends that you threw an OR out of a plane then jumped out after it?

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Specializes in Cardiology.

Is that what FST is?

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Specializes in Cardiac (adult), CC, Peds, MH/Substance.

FST is forward surgical team. Some are airborne, some aren't. ABN is airborne.

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Specializes in CMSNB, NCM, PACU.

Airborne adds an extra thrill factor to it. As a reservist it can be difficult to get an airborne slot though. Being an FST is a thrill all in itself. So don't feel bad if it isn't ABN.

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Specializes in Cardiology.

Nick is that what you are in? I figured it would be hard to get. Flight nurse for Air Force sounds pretty cool though or even the OR. I will have to do more research with the Army.

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Specializes in Cardiac (adult), CC, Peds, MH/Substance.

I haven't been in the Army for a while. It was good times though.

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