Advice Needed On Nursing In the Canadian Military

dishes, BSN, RN · Mar 26, 2017

Hi there,
I am a 22 year old RN with about 7 months of experience in med/surg. I have always been interested in joining the military but I honestly am worried about the 6 year commitment. I would like to join the air force and work in Victoria, BC. I did my BcSN in British Columbia and I am currently in Calgary, AB. I contacted the reserves here but they do not have spot available for reserve NOs in the Calgary unit. I guess I'm scared of the commitment and being posted to work somewhere isolated or on the other side of the country. I have sent a lot of emails and left voicemails, but I am having a really hard time getting information from the recruiters here in Calgary. I honestly would love to be deployed overseas as I am really interested in pursuing global health eventually. No one in my family is a nurse or in the military so I was just wondering if anyone had any advice to share.

You should clarify your values and whether or not they match the military's values. It doesn't seem like you feel a strong sense of loyalty or duty to Canada based on your comment that you are scared of being posted somewhere isolated or on the other side of the country. If you want to do some type of global health placement, once you have more nursing experience suggest you look into volunteer opportunities with not for profit Canadian organizations that provide health care in areas of need.

Fiona59 · Mar 26, 2017

The actual posting for Victoria is Esquimalt, and it's a naval base. Comox is the airbase on Vancouver Island. It's a small posting and is home to mainly SAR Techs, pilots, and technicians. How would yo feel about a sea posting? On board ship for upto six months ata time?

its the super garrisons that have MRIs that usually house RNs. So you need a Field Ambulance. There isn't really a military hospital left in Canada, so the nursing staff usually work the MRI and spend time on local hospitals.

Overseas postinga s are few few and far between these days.

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Mar 27, 2017

Fiona59, I think you mean "MIR" as in Medical Inspection Room.

The new hospital in Comox is nearing completion... just saying.

Fiona59 · Mar 27, 2017

Fiona59, I think you mean "MIR" as in Medical Inspection Room.
The new hospital in Comox is nearing completion... just saying.

IPad loves to make the corrections.

comox hospital was tiny, never saw a military nurse there. Here in Edmonton, there's always a couple along with a pharmacist or two in a hospital in the area. Sturgeon and RAH at least

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Mar 27, 2017

The new Comox Valley hospital will have 153 beds, is purported to be a state-of-the-art facility and is expected to open this fall. Might be some opportunities there.

joseechristinev · May 5, 2017

I am definitely interested in the navy! I was actually wanting to move to Esquimalt a few months ago and didn't realize there was a base there! I'll re-look into this location! Thank you

The actual posting for Victoria is Esquimalt, and it's a naval base. Comox is the airbase on Vancouver Island. It's a small posting and is home to mainly SAR Techs, pilots, and technicians. How would yo feel about a sea posting? On board ship for upto six months ata time?
its the super garrisons that have MRIs that usually house RNs. So you need a Field Ambulance. There isn't really a military hospital left in Canada, so the nursing staff usually work the MRI and spend time on local hospitals.
Overseas postinga s are few few and far between these days.