OR RN considering the military

[jessie_lynn913]

Hi everyone. I'm looking for some advice! I'm a 27 year old female RN who specializes in the OR. I've been a nurse for more than 3 years now. Originally, I graduated from a community college with my associate degree in nursing. Immediately, I went back to school for my BSN and now I am set to graduate with my MSN-Nurse Executive in December. Previously, I had started speaking with an Air Force recruiter regarding their branch. However, that was when I was getting ready to finish my BSN and did not have plans for my MSN. Now that I am getting ready to graduate, I find myself considering the military again. I tried getting more information from an Army recruiter, but I kept getting the run around, for some reason. I was just wondering if anyone here is a member of either of these branches and could offer some advice. I am interested in more information regarding both reserves and active duty. I am in Nebraska and would like to stay somewhat close to my family. I have two nephews that need an aunt to spoil them. Thanks in advance!

[jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA]

You can get deployed for 9 months plus at a time...far from Nebraska. If that would upset you, then I wouldn't do it. The reserves is likely better for you, since you will only be away for training and deployments; you won't be forced to move every 2-4 years like you would in active duty.

You are getting the run around because needs are low for nurses in general. I would say the Army has the fewest needs. Try the AF.

[Shark24, BSN]

I agree with jfratian, ARMY is not hurting nursing wise, you should try other branches.

[nurse2033, MSN, RN]

Find a unit that does what you want to do, like OR nursing? This is a test of your google and investigative skills. Contact them directly and they can direct you to the recruiter who works with them. They would interview you and recommend you for commission, assuming they have open slots to fill. This will speed things along considerably. Recruiters are deluged with vague questions, ambiguous recruits, and are generally busy. Pester the crap out of them, and they might pay more attention to you. Good luck.

[NavyReserveORNurse]

OR Nurses are listed as a critical need for the Navy Reserves, you may want to check out their website and talk to a medical recruiter.

[MedicandRN]

I'd suggest finding an AMEDD recruiter. Unfortunately, you might have to search a bit; there are far fewer AMEDD recruiting offices than there are generic recruiting ones. Your best bet for staying in your home area, as another poster mentioned, is the reserves. You would go to San Antonio for training, but be assigned to a base closer to home for drilling. I don't see any current postings for 66E's (OR nurses) in NE, you might wind up drilling in Springfield MO or Topeka, KS... Other branches might have closer opportunities. As far as being " full" on nurses, OR nurses were a critical shortage in the Army Reserve, at least recently.

Find an AMEDD recruiter, they can answer all your questions!