Any former Marines/Military?

Jershar · Jun 27, 2009

Semper Fi,

Nursing school is definitely mentally challenging. But, there are alot of factors to consider. Are you going to NS full time, working full time and have a family? If so then NS is definitely harder.

However, ask a nursing student to wake up at 0545, PT formation at 0615, if your luck run for only 3 miles, then report to work 0800(police call, clean weapons, class, gun team) go to lunch for an hour and half (nap), go back to work(clean weapons, working party, class, gun team etc), working party up, police call, 1630 formation, police call, field day, oh by the way devil dog you have weekend duty.....and then you get to do it at least 5 days a week if your lucky.

Like they always say, don't let the green grass fool ya.

Hoorah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HumorHeals22 · Jun 27, 2009

Oorah

Oh the good ole' days. Monday rundays, and field day Thursdays. I miss it sometimes. Not very much, but I miss it. The friends and brotherhood is what I really miss though, not the politics.

That's why I asked though, I get nervous for NS then recall back to the devil days and think if I could do that I can do NS. I wouldn't be working, or have a family (even though it was the thing to do in the Marines apparently) so that'll help I'm sure.

Thanks for the reply, and Semper Fi!

PMFB-RN, RN · Jun 29, 2009

I tried to enlist in the marines but I wasn't qualified. I knew how to read and my parents where married :) I spent 5 years as a combat medic in army airborn and ranger infantry units. NS was EASY compaired to what I did in the army. Don't sweat it. You don't have to be smart to get through nursing school, just dedicated.

groovy jeff, RN · Jun 30, 2009

I was in the Coast Guard 100 years ago. I too, miss the comraderie. NS is groovy, challenging, but groovy. Just finished and now it is time to take my boards!

badphish · Jun 30, 2009

retired army 20 yrs as a medic, i got my paramedic my last year and i start nursing school this august while working full time. it is going to be interesting. im just thinking of it as very very very long boot camp

Tony1790, BSN, MSN, NP · Jul 1, 2009

I was in the Coast Guard 100 years ago. I too, miss the comraderie. NS is groovy, challenging, but groovy. Just finished and now it is time to take my boards!

I'm hearing ya brother, I started in the Army, but did 16 yrs and retired from the Coast Guard, seems like I was never there, wow time flies. I have month and half to graduate from LPN school and then try to get RN from there if I can make it through NCLEX boards.

Take care,

Tony

Retired Chief BM, USCG

traumamike · Jul 11, 2009

tony1790 and groovy jeff, I was a corpsman/medic in the cost guard for 8 years.. It seems like a lifetime ago, wait it was 12 years ago!!!! It was a lifetime ago...LOL... Just wanting to say good luck and hey to all fellow costies out there!!! What you learned in the military will help you in nursing... Good luck again....traumamike:D

Trauma Columnist · Jul 11, 2009

One of the female vets - was in the USN in the 70's-80's and yes, that was a long time ago. Did nursing school in 1990 and didn't even touch what I did in the Navy.

CareteamRN70 · Jul 11, 2009

This is my take, and this is coming from a former marine 1989-1993, I loved life in the Marine Corp, hated Boot Camp like most people but still carry the memories of "making it" with me to this day. Currently I am in my 4th quarter of an 8 quarter program and the one thing I have compared it to with The Marines is...(Gonna catch flak for this i know)..I am the only male in my program and I have honestly left class some days with my face flush red from being involved in some of the "girl" talk with my fellow nursing students. We Marines have a reputation for crass, crude, dirty humor...but guys I gotta tell ya..my class has the Marine Corp Beat hands down in that area. Sometimes I think they just forget I am in the classroom when they start to talk...even had an instructor discussing the merits of battery operated marital aids, who then noticed me sitting in the back and the whole class just lost it.

All that aside the only other comparison I have between the two is the seriousness of the occupation. The worst thing a DI ever said to me, that shook me to my core and actually gave me nightmares, was "Recruit..you keep screwin up your training and chances are it isn't you who will die in combat..you are going to cause other people to die because of your stupidity!"..now for those of us who were Marines this aint the worst a DI probaly yelled at you...but it shook me pretty bad and I took my training more serious and busted butt to finally get a squad leader position. I had the same flashback in class a few weeks ago when an Instructor got ticked off at the chatter in class during her lecture on heparin and other blood thinners...her remarks rang just as true as my old DI's did...

"If you screw around in school and don't learn how to become proper nurses you will end up killing someone!"

I am hoping this has the same effect on myself and my fellow students to remind us to rise above ourselves, suck up the inconviences, learn as much as we can and never have to wonder in the future if by our actions or inaction caused harm to another. I think graduating my program will be one of the proudest moments of my life..very close to making it through boot..I'll know I will when I get within one quarter of graduating and start my days of with "90 days and a wake up! oo-rah!"

Semper Fi

Jason

Music in My Heart · Jul 13, 2009

What do you find harder; Nursing school, or Marine life?
I haven't had the 'pleasure' of nursing school, but Marine life was tough at times(0331). I hear a lot of complaining from nursing students on here, and wanted to see which one is more challenging. I'll guess NS is more mentally challenging?
What's your thoughts?

Former Marine here.

The comparison between the stress of nursing school and the stress of boot camp is no comparison... boot camp was much more stressful.

Vs. day-to-day life as a Marine... Apples and oranges comparison.

The big difference: Despite all the bluster, I knew darn well that I wasn't getting kicked out of the Marine Corps unless I did something extraordinarily stupid. Nursing school... well, let's just say that they can be a bit capricious.

CrufflerJJ, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Jul 15, 2009

I was in the Coast Guard 100 years ago. I too, miss the comraderie. NS is groovy, challenging, but groovy. Just finished and now it is time to take my boards!

A fellow member of my nursing residency program (for new grads) retired from the Coast Guard. After 20-something years in the CG, he wanted something different.