Actual officers?

79Tango · Feb 28, 2011

Officers/Cadets: It might not be a good idea to post specific information about yourselves such as locations, school & ship dates. There is something called Operational Security (OPSEC) & Personal Security (PERSEC) you will be instructed on. You do not want to violate that before you get there.

FarawaySoClose, BSN, DNP, RN · Feb 28, 2011

Perkygyrl, you have to post a certain number of times before you can send private messages. What are your questions? I'll do my best to answer them.

Good point, 79tango.

perkygyrl81 · Mar 1, 2011

Thanks Faraway!

I’ve talked with a recruiter and a former navy nurse in my area who was active duty about 15 years ago. She had some great things to say but also told me the things she wished she would have known before she signed up.

For example work schedules for her weren’t comparable to the 36 hour scheduled as a civilian. She had to work every other weekend regardless of when she worked during the week so at times she would work 5 or 6 shifts a week. Are you finding this to be the case? Also, What is your patient/ nurse ratio ?

I was told by the recruiter, as a new grad, I would spend the first 2 years in med/surg in one of the 3 teaching hospitals are you finding this to be true for your ODS class? Do you feel your work area preferences are being taken into consideration? Were you eligible for loan repayment? I know everyone’s experience will be different but any info you can provide would be really helpful.

Thanks again!

FarawaySoClose, BSN, DNP, RN · Mar 2, 2011

I haven't been on my unit yet so I can't answer most questions about what the work is like. I haven't heard anything about working 5-6 shifts per week; I've been told it's 3-4 plus on-call a couple of times a month. On top of that you will have training, any extra duties or responsibilities you decide to take on, events/lectures; you put in what you want to get out essentially. And you are a Navy officer 24/7; it's kind of hard to explain but you'll get it. Nurse:pt ratio varies based on the floor your on but for the most part it sounds reasonable compared to the horror stories you hear in the civillian world (I work in mental health so it's a bit different for us).

You will almost certainly go to one of the three teaching hospitals starting out; the only nurses who were exceptions to this rule from our ODS class were the prior enlisted. As far as the med-surg thing: out of the group of us who ended up at San Diego only one has been placed in med-surg that I'm aware of. They will take what you want into consideration but truthfully the priority is Navy's needs then your career needs then your wants. It will depend on what the hospital you go to needs when you arrive after ODS (you probably won't find out what area you'll be in until you've been at your hospital a week or two) and, if you have experience, that will be factored in too. For instance, I'm a mental health nurse, I have mental health experience, the hospital I'm at needs experienced mental health nurses therefore I've been placed in mental health; that's where I want to be anyways so it worked out for me. They will ask you what your preferences are and they will try to fit you in if they can. If you get placed in a specialty you aren't thrilled about it's not the end of the world, try to stay open minded and you may find that you like it, or you can work really hard and impress your dept head/div-o and get sent to an area you do like

I think everyone is eligible for loan repayment, you apply once your in and if you get it they tack extra time onto your commitment; I'm not applying for it so I don't know the details. You should ask your recruiter about that one.

deftonez188 · Mar 2, 2011

Thanks Faraway!
I've talked with a recruiter and a former navy nurse in my area who was active duty about 15 years ago. She had some great things to say but also told me the things she wished she would have known before she signed up.
For example work schedules for her weren't comparable to the 36 hour scheduled as a civilian. She had to work every other weekend regardless of when she worked during the week so at times she would work 5 or 6 shifts a week. Are you finding this to be the case? Also, What is your patient/ nurse ratio ?
I was told by the recruiter, as a new grad, I would spend the first 2 years in med/surg in one of the 3 teaching hospitals are you finding this to be true for your ODS class? Do you feel your work area preferences are being taken into consideration? Were you eligible for loan repayment? I know everyone's experience will be different but any info you can provide would be really helpful.
Thanks again!

I'm also interested in an answer about the current number of days we may be working per week. I know it varies, so what is the average?

FarawaySoClose, BSN, DNP, RN · Mar 3, 2011

I'm also interested in an answer about the current number of days we may be working per week. I know it varies, so what is the average?

Probably looking at 7 in a 2 week cycle; 3 one week, 4 the next (including weekend shifts). That's if you're working 12s of course.

athena55, BSN, RN · Mar 5, 2011

Hi y'all....

OTF (old time fart) reporting in!

Back from deployment AND CCC....Now hoping to settle back into the grind before heading off to HNLC (Head Nurse Leadership Course)

Waiting on those PCS orders, as well....

athena

Editorial Team / Moderator · Mar 5, 2011

Welcome back!! :)

jerrylundergard · Mar 6, 2011

Welcome back Athena!

How was the deployment overall? Lots of chill time or was it on the go busy? How does it compare to civilian work as far as the load? Thanks

athena55, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2011

Hey Lunah!

@ jerrylundergard: Overall busy...first week there had a MASCAL...We didn't have a "day" off until our second month downrange. Most of the time we worked six with one day off (IF you weren't up to be the flight nurse on call)

Took care of lots of polytrauma and way too many pediatric burn patients.

Although I miss the sounds of the C-17's landing and taking off (helped me sleep, ha ha) I DO NOT MISS THE EXPLOSIONS nor do I miss the oh so close 50 cal going off, as well.

NursesLeadTheWay · Mar 8, 2011

79 Tango. Thanks for the heads up. I didn't think about that at the time. Is there a way to delete posts?!

RN1980 · Mar 11, 2011

BullydawgRN is a army reserve 1st lt. i think he actually just got back from his 2nd deployement to the middle east. i myself is just a e-4 (promotable) still waiting for a slot to open up somewhere close to home.