Nursing Officers in the Canadian Forces

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Hi everyone! New here!

I am an RN in NB, Canada. I am really hoping to find a couple of NOs out there whose brains I can pick about the position. My concerns are that the job is widely administrative more than it is hands-on. Presently I'm an Emergency Nurse, and before that I worked in ICU, so I enjoy the "excitement" of traumas and sick individuals (I know, it's awful to say). I've done a lot of research about the process and the position, but I would really like to speak with some actual Nursing Officers to get their perspectives and points of view, if possible.

It's a big decision and I'm trying to do as much research as possible. If you're an NO or have a close friend or family who is, I'd love to talk to you if you'd be willing. Here or over email!

Thanks in advance!

New to this site and wondering if anyone can provide some insight on this particular topic...

I'm starting nursing school this fall (RN) and am also joining a reserve unit to train as a Med A. But here is my dilemma-- I am wondering if I should just try for ROTP instead? My two main fears of going that route are

1) The long commitment once I finish school

2) Will I receive equivalent training (such as critical care or trauma experience in hospital setting) compared to if I just went the reserve route and worked in civie hospital full time?

3) How does a NO's training and experience cross over after serving in the military? Is it hard to get a job in a civilian hospital? Is military training recognized?

I just want to make sure I've explored every option...and that I don't close any doors out of fear or lack of understanding.

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Hi there, just looking for some information to aid in a big decision. Currently I am an ICU/Trauma RN and am curious about nursing in the reserves...not so much reg force due to not wanting to relocate often. I am nearly 40 so not sure how this will work...I am also a member of the Cadet Instructor Cadre so would be remustering to become Reserve RN. How does the BMQ work as a reservist? How often would I need to parade with the unit I am attached to? And how does that work as their are not a lot of medical corps around....there is one in Hamilton I believe and I am in London. As a reservist I would be able to stay in the hospital that I am currently working at correct? How intensive is the BMQ, is it in St Jean even for the reservists? Is it as hellish as the BMQ for NCMs? How does that work for taking it?

Thanks

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Hi, I have been looking into information about how to become a NO in the Canadian Armed Forces. I am an RN, and I am wondering if we have to make a commitment to serve a certain number of years if we get in through the direct entry route. If so, what's the minimum number of years we have to serve?

Thanks.

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Hello,

I'm an RN. Wondering if anyone in a Reservist? I was thinking regular but I understand correct you can't have your family there with like live on base? Thanks.

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Hello,

I'm an RN. Wondering if anyone in a Reservist? I was thinking regular but I understand correct you can't have your family there with like live on base? Thanks.

What are you asking?

Reservists and Reg Force members live where they want. There aren't enough PMQS to house every member. There are few members only posting which are different from deployments.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.
Hello,

I'm an RN. Wondering if anyone in a Reservist? I was thinking regular but I understand correct you can't have your family there with like live on base? Thanks.

As Fiona59 says, there aren't enough housing units for everyone based in one place to have one. This is especially true in the last decade as bases have sold off their housing stock. There's always a long waiting list, and only regular serving members are eligible.

Hi, I have been looking into information about how to become a NO in the Canadian Armed Forces. I am an RN, and I am wondering if we have to make a commitment to serve a certain number of years if we get in through the direct entry route. If so, what's the minimum number of years we have to serve?

Thanks.

The time commitment is based on the money expended to get you into a position to serve in the military. If you already have a BScN, then you've got a leg up on those who have the military pay for their education. That also means your contract would be shorter. For the most accurate information you should contact a recruiting centre. Find a Recruiter

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Thank you Fiona. So for example if I was stationed at Victoria base I would have to just buy my own place :S would be difficult in markets like Victoria or Vancouver. But I like all cities. I just want to be in the Service. I have my BSN already and work but I want to get my NP. Would anyone know if I can get paid education to become an NP???

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I was accepted to ROTP nursing several years ago but was not accepted into any program due to applying late in the cycle. This year I already have acceptances in hand so probably will be trying again when Aug/Sept rolls around.

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Thank you Fiona. So for example if I was stationed at Victoria base I would have to just buy my own place :S would be difficult in markets like Victoria or Vancouver. But I like all cities. I just want to be in the Service. I have my BSN already and work but I want to get my NP. Would anyone know if I can get paid education to become an NP???

As a single, you would be eligible for on base accommodation.

A Sergeant Major once told my spouse "if the military had wanted you to have a family, they'd have issued you one". Time and attitudes have changed somewhat in the last few decades but the sentiment is still there. The Forces main concern is the serving member who they have made an investment in. For some reason two years service for every year of education that they paid for comes to mind.

You have to remember that there are no real military hospitals left in Canada. A posting to Esquimalt (the base outside of Victoria) is naval and sea time is a reality. A posting there for my spouse (who wasn't Navy) would have meant six months at sea out of most years. Vancouver? Has only Reserve Units. Any posting to BC is sought after by service members who have family out there. We waited 15 years for a posting there.

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I am interested in working as a reserve. But I had a bad impression with the Canadian Forces. When they say something, they don't mean it or they take you somewhere else.

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I was wondering if anyone new if you could go from a military nurse to a paramedic in Canada.

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