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

Specialties Government

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As the moderator for this forum ... I am interested to know where everyone is from, their background, branch of service (or VA VISN) and what they like the best about Military or VA Nursing .... this forum generally has some really good traffic, and I would like to pull all of us together and get to know one another a little better. :rolleyes:

Army Nurse here, FNP, been in 17 years.

91W3HM6, SSG in Iraq right now in the 115th Field Hosp. Doing good things I am an LPN who can teach it. In case you did not know what all the numbers and letters meant.

Air Force here. Background is critical care. I don't know what I like about military nursing. I'm staying to retire, but free healthcare fosters NO responsibility on the part of my pts and they come in for the most benign things; clogging an already busy waiting room and taxing dwindling resources. If I could get everyone in the military to go to Wal Mart and spend $1.00 on a zillion tab bottle of ibuprofen, I'd be a much happier person. The education level also astounds me. So far, military nursing doesn't impress me much and I miss civilian critical care.
new 1st LT, Army here

i guess i blew it

these are precise reasons i am leaving civilian nursing...

public hospital (emergency department) = free healthcare

jgraham

ed rn

Army Nurse here, FNP, been in 17 years.

is the curse of chicken over?:)

new 1st LT, Army here

i guess i blew it

these are precise reasons i am leaving civilian nursing...

public hospital (emergency department) = free healthcare

jgraham

ed rn

I too believe the military community is more civilized in a hospital than civilians are. I just hate how abused the system is in the military just because it's free. Valid points from both sides!

Thank you so much for this forum. I am glad that someone is addressing this area.

I am a brand new BSN graduate(graduated on 10/2), but before that I was a ADN for 3 years. I have been in the military for 22 years(administrative specialist)10 years active duty and 12 years reserve. I am going back active duty in January-will be attending OBC, I received a direct commission in April.

I have also been with the VA for 2 years. I think that it is a good system, but very bogged down. I had no idea how many homeless vets are out there, but they are always grateful for the care that they get, but there are some that think that the VA is supposed to be a 5 star hotel, to include the service that they get. While I am a vet myself, sometimes it can get to be a little frustrating and disappointing to see how bad some of our vet are.

Looking forward to seeing some of the other posts.

As the moderator for this forum ... I am interested to know where everyone is from, their background, branch of service (or VA VISN) and what they like the best about Military or VA Nursing .... this forum generally has some really good traffic, and I would like to pull all of us together and get to know one another a little better. :rolleyes:

Just what exactly are those THINGS that you can perform that RNs can't legally? Seems to me you are opening yourself up to alot of liability, except iF you are doing those THINGS under the license of a RN. Sounds very suspicious to me.

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Hi. I just got out of the Navy, 8 yrs, as a hospital corpsman (HM). If you're pursuing RN, by all means, don't enlist as a corpsman. More than likely you'll be sent out to Iraq which would put your education on hold for who knows how long. You do gain a lot of knowledge, perform things most RNs can't legally, and have a lot of responsibility in caring for many people (independently w/ Marine units!).

I would/am looking into the nursing program where as a sophmore, you can receive like $5k up front and $5k after you graduate. Check out navy.com.

Roland

Just what exactly are those THINGS that you can perform that RNs can't legally? Seems to me you are opening yourself up to alot of liability, except iF you are doing those THINGS under the license of a RN. Sounds very suspicious to me.\
We're protected by the US Govt. We are EXPECTED to be able to do sutures, IVs, IV drips, passing meds(independently w/ USMC or under Dr/Rn supervision in a hospital), ABGs, amongst other procedures, sure you get the idea.

W/ the USMC, they send US not real dr's (the Marines call us 'DOC' though, an honor at that) into the battle zone, the dr's are usually back in the rear or at the medical tent(like MASH).

If we get stationed at a hospital though, we have to be monitored although once a dr or RN gets to know us and our quality of care, they say 'go ahead' and will take the fall should something go awry.

On ships, a corpsman is the pharmacy tech, controlling NARCs, etc. We do have dr's and HCA who do med inventories on us so don't fret. I was an optician so a lot of times I had to do refractions from time to time when someone lost their only pair of glasses.

Once we get out, we can do as much as a CNA! Go figure. It's a great learning experience being a HM(hospital corpsman).

EMT-I, A.A.; Lt. hopefull

I have a unique situation. I am a VA RN originally out of VISN 7 and I am attending the AMEDD's CRNA program as a Civillian at Fort Sam Houston. I am getting the top of the line Army training at the #2 CRNA school in the country and when I am finished (30 months) I will return to my VA that is sponsoring me. This is the first year it has been done. I am getting a little view into the world that my patients have experienced. So I guess you could say that I am mostly VA with a little Military thrown into the mix. I enjoy working for the VA and I would not be in such a wonderful transition in my life if it was not for them!

Former Navy HM as well, 11 years. Now an LVN in California at the Sacramento VA Hospital. LOVE IT!!!

Army nurse for the last (nearly) 10 years and still loving it...

:)

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