Roll Call for all Military and VA Nurses and those considering the Service

AFnurse3 · Jun 27, 2005, 02:31 AM

My turn!

I'm an Air Force nurse....next month I will have one year in!!!
Right now, I work Mad/Surg, but my true love is Trauma....I am jealous to hear that a couple of friends of mine might be heading to Iraq without me....and one is a L&D nurse through and through!!! What's up with that?

Letting her go and leaving me behind!

I plan to get a masters in Trauma in a few years and work in a Level I Trauma Center....but probably on the civilian side. I am considering switching to the Reserves as soon as I can.

mebeafrn · Jun 27, 2005, 05:55 AM

I am so apprecative of what all you military healthcare,and over all military are doing. The AF has been a dream of mine for many years and it looks as though it may become a reality due to the age restriction changes. My specialty is Mental Health. Right now I'm working in Home Health/Hospice and applying MH skills. Every time I admit a vet WWII-on,I feel so humbled by the stories I hear. Every time I help a vet have a comfortable and dignified death as a Hospice pt. I feel such a loss to society. I've heard stories of the Pacific,European theaters,Korea-Frozen Chozen(sp),fall of Siagon(?sp) and met more than one vet who helped clean up the concentration camps. Most recently I heard the story of the Battle of the Bulge and Black Forrest.
My chance to give back may be here!
Thank you to all of you for what you do!

wtbcrna · Jul 01, 2005, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by AFnurse3

My turn!

I'm an Air Force nurse....next month I will have one year in!!!
Right now, I work Mad/Surg, but my true love is Trauma....I am jealous to hear that a couple of friends of mine might be heading to Iraq without me....and one is a L&D nurse through and through!!! What's up with that? Letting her go and leaving me behind!

I plan to get a masters in Trauma in a few years and work in a Level I Trauma Center....but probably on the civilian side. I am considering switching to the Reserves as soon as I can.

I am an USAF ICU nurse at Keesler. I would recommend looking at the call for nursing candidates this year and applying for the trauma/critical care internship at Wilford Hall. Look at last years call for canidates for more information. You could get some great training and work the rest of your time in the Air Force working in the icu.
I am in AEF 1-2 which one are you in?

Good Luck!

blueheaven · Jul 02, 2005, 09:07 AM

Hello,

I have been an ICU nurse for 27 years and have been in the VA System 4 years. Those that know about VISNs...I have worked in VISN 9 @ Huntington WVa VAMC and currently working in VISN 5 @ Baltimore Maryland Healthcare System. Still trying to get used to the government way of doing things.

Remember:
There is the right way,
The wrong way,
and the VA Way.

bluecandi · Jul 02, 2005, 02:37 PM

I'm considering joining......once I am done with school that it. Hubby is also in service now. Current AFR and prior AF active.

Sigh......I wanna go overseas!!

AFnurse3 · Jul 03, 2005, 05:24 AM

I looked at the internship and was planning on going for it, but things have changed and now I am planning on getting out after my time. I love the military and am considering the reserves...possibly IMA....we'll see. But I want to work ER...a Level I Trauma Center, if I can....I don't really like ICU, but I love the adrenaline rush in the ER! Thank goodness we have ICU nurses like you, so I don't have to do it! As for a bucket, but I'm not in one....when I asked, they told me that I would have to be here for a year first!

Originally Posted by wtbcrna

I am an USAF ICU nurse at Keesler. I would recommend looking at the call for nursing candidates this year and applying for the trauma/critical care internship at Wilford Hall. Look at last years call for canidates for more information. You could get some great training and work the rest of your time in the Air Force working in the icu.
I am in AEF 1-2 which one are you in?

Good Luck!

Cynthia_S · Aug 02, 2005, 07:07 AM

roll call

Hello. I was a HM3-pharmacy in San Diego from 87-91. I absolutely LOVED San Diego and still miss it to this day.

I went on and received my BSN and was ready to complete my Navy Nurse packet when, BAM, husband left me with young kids in the wind and shattered dreams.

I always had the desire to get back into the system. I interviewed for the local VA and did not get the job. It was a home health/case management position. Here's me with 10 years critical care experience and a 4 year Navy vet and the person who got the job was a non-vet with home health experience. Oh, i was mad as

. So, I enrolled into NP school instead. My only revenge was that they called 3 months later BEGGING me to take the job and I said, nope- got other plans. Too late !
Is this normal hiring practice for the VA? I thought vets got preference.

They raised the bar on the age limit? HMMMM....

Thank you to all. I consider you my comrades.

lmtmcc · Sep 04, 2005, 05:52 PM

I am in school now working on my ADN. I am interested military nursing becasue of the excellent pay and benefits, as well as the obvious patient care. Do you have to have a BSN to enlist or if you can enlist with a ADN, does it limit what/where you can go? Thanks.

Cali Nurse · Sep 05, 2005, 12:09 AM

Go Navy!

I'm a Navy nurse, have been in for 4 years. I did 1 1/2 years med/surg, the rest ER. I'm currently overseas, can't wait to get back to a busy hospital.

gamecock · Sep 05, 2005, 04:13 AM

Originally Posted by lmtmcc

I am in school now working on my ADN. I am interested military nursing becasue of the excellent pay and benefits, as well as the obvious patient care. Do you have to have a BSN to enlist or if you can enlist with a ADN, does it limit what/where you can go? Thanks.

First, a technical point: RNs are officers. Officers do not enlist, we are commissioned. (Might seem nit-picky, but there is a huge distinction)

Now, to receive a commission in the Active Army, you must have a BSN. The reserves allow you to be commissioned with an ADN, but at some point, you have to complete a BSN.

If you are contemplating the Army, talk to a ROTC recruiter, there are scholarships with stipends available to help you complete your BSN.

After you have been in for a few years (usually a minimum of 3-4) you are can apply to return for a MSN, full tuition with salary paid for two years of study. it is a great deal!

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Roll Call for all Military and VA Nurses and those considering the Service

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