Pros and Cons of Joining the Army as a New grad (BSN)

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

What are the pros and cons for joining the Army (or any other branch) as a new grad with no nursing experience. Would anyone recommend entering after a few years with experience? I am currently in my last year in nursing school and hopefully graduate in May 2010 with a BSN.

I also just started the application process tryna get everything done inorder to go for the board review in november. Any advice will be greatly appreciated

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

The military is a good place to start your nursing career. Pros to military nursing is that you are given the time to grow as a nurse. You will recieve much more training as a military nurse then a civilian nurse. You will travel to places that you would other wise not be able to for training, conferences etc. Benefits are good, you do not have to worry about getting your memberion, medical insurance cut. Some Cons, unless you live by a major medical center you will have to move away, but this could also be a Pro. Deployments happen in the military, at some point in the future the frequency of deployments will slow down. No overtime pay, you will be on committees, cover short shifts etc. but still will only get your normal pay, but you can get time off without having to use benefit hours.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

thanks... are u a milary nurse?

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

yes, also have enlisted experince

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Specializes in TCU, Post-surgical, Infection Prevention.

Hello, thank you for this post and the response.

Jeckrn - your description of the cons make me feel better about taking this path (soon to be RN student, future Army nurse).

I am sooooo excited about my future, thank you OP, as well.

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The CNM who delivered my babies is now a 40 year old LT Colonel. She will most likely retire in a few years with that rank. Not a bad way to end a military career. She can still work but she will have a huge pension, benes,etc....

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I calculated what is called my High Three retirement based on a rank of Lt Col (O5) with 20 years in, retiring in 2025 (I have prior enlisted time). Assuming the stuff about the raises and inflation holds true, my retirement pension would be $72K a year. Even with a rank of Major (O4), the retirement was over $60K. And that would make me only 53 at retirement! NUTS. Just crazy.

You won't get that anywhere else - BELIEVE ME.

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