Any former Marine grunts going into nursing?

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I spent 10 years in the Marine Corps infantry and now I'm trying to get my pre-reqs knocked out to get into the RN program in Pensacola. Any other 03s out there doing the same? I was hoping I wasn't alone.

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Specializes in Trauma ICU, Peds ICU.

I'm sure there are. Especially when you look at male RNs, a lot of us seem to come from the military or fire/EMS

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Thanks for the reply Mike. That's reassuring to hear that alot of male nurses have a military background. I know it shouldn't matter but it's nice to know that there are others out there in a similar situation to mine. Do you have any military/fire/EMS background?

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Hey - some of us ladies (ooops I've been caught peeking at the male nurses forum - lol) have a fire/ems/military background too....

traumarus,

USN (won't say the years as I'm sure it was before you guys were born)

pre-hospital RN x11 years as a volunteer fire-fighter/EMS

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FLMom.... USAF.

FLMom DD..... USArmy combat medic.

We have an airline pilot in my class and 2 EMTs. 1/4 of my class are males, most above the age of 30!

Go for it! Hoorah! Semper Fi!

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Thanks for the reply FLmomof5. That's encouraging. Especially knowing that most of the males in your class are above the age of 30. I'm about to turn 33 so I felt a little behind the curve.

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Specializes in Cardiac, Rehab.

I'm former Navy. In my class we have 2 active duty AF and one ex navy besides me.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

US Army Infantry, 1983-1987.

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Oo-Rah!

Welcome aboard!

I served 4 years 0351 (anti tank Dragon Gunner...don't even know if they still use dragons).

I entered nursing school later in life (age 38) and now into my 40's I will be a graduate in 83 days and a wakeup (or Septemeber 18 for non former military).

I have to chuckle because I have seen alot of Marines and other former military join Nursing and I think we have a good set of instilled skills that help us become exceptional nurses. I think we adapt to stress as something we have to overcome vs letting it overcome us, we understand life or death situations and how outcomes related to either can be influenced by 1 person working within a team, and we adapt well to changing situations that may cause us discomfort. In my class of 30 the major complaints tend to revolve around strict uniform policies regarding scrubs, hair, jewelry etc. Needless to say this doesnt pose much of a problem to me. One of my instructors is Former Navy special ops with a Masters in Nursing, and I will say he keeps a fairly tight classroom and keeps a lid on people being silly (we have a lot of 20 somethings in class and the drama, gossip, and meltdowns are weekly). I tried comparing nursing school to boot once and I honestly do think boot was easier. The only other shock I had with nursing school is that being 1 of 2 guys in class I surprised at the amount of dirty jokes the girls knew and the "locker" talk that went on. Been a few days i came home with my cheeks flushed red from stuff I heard. Again, welcome aboard!

Semper Fi

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Semper Fi careteam70! Thanks for the comment.

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During my clinicals I have met a number of male and female nurses with military backgrounds. I served in the Army myself, 13F (FO)... Fire For Effect!!! Always nice to see another military guy getting into the nursing field, good luck!

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Specializes in Trauma ICU, Peds ICU.
Thanks for the reply Mike. That's reassuring to hear that alot of male nurses have a military background. I know it shouldn't matter but it's nice to know that there are others out there in a similar situation to mine. Do you have any military/fire/EMS background?

2 years wildland firefighting in Southern California, then 3 years municipal firefighter/EMT

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