Any Navy Hospital Corpsman out there?

ShelleyERgirl, LPN · Mar 1, 2004

Hey Ld, I am a former Navy Hm too, actually there are a lot of us on here! I am in my second quarter of an ADN program and I am really not liking it too well, too much paperwork, not enough patient care. I am actually considering dropping out of the program and enrolling in the LPN program. I think I will like it better, but I don't know....kind of confused about the whole thing. Who knew I would be having a midlife crisis at thirty years old?

Anyway, I almost moved to Auburn right after I got out of the Navy in 1996. Isn't that in your neck of the woods?

Welcome the boards, it's a pretty good place most of the time! :)

Trauma Columnist · Mar 1, 2004

Hi - I was in the Navy, but HM was full so I became a JO. What a transition hunh? Anyway - just wanted to welcome you. I'm an RN now (I'm older and been out of the Navy since before you were both born!!). NavyNurse - stay in the RN program - when you get done you will appreciate that you did the RN. When I was an LPN I was paid about $12/hour with two years experience and as a new-grad RN I immediately made $16/hr and this was over ten years ago. Take care...

ldshaw · Mar 1, 2004

Hello there!

Nice to know that some Navy folks are on here. I got out of the Navy in September as an E4 HM3. I actually got pushed out the door because I didnt make E5 in 10 years. The advancement system in the Navy is terrible and the HM rating is the worst! I was really nervous at first and not sure what would happen in my future. Passing the NCLEX-PN exam made me feel at ease. I am now able to get a job and see how things work on the civilian side. I am excited about my future now and ready for it. Most of my friends in the Navy are now getting deployed and leaving their families. I am really glad I am out and able to take care of my 20 month old son. This is the best for us all!

I am new to the Sacramento area, and not familiar with the cities around it. I have heard of Auburn, but not sure where it is. I am from Southern California, so this is all new to me. Northern California is so different from the south. It could be its own state. I like it tough.

Thanks for the Welcome.

Ldshaw

ShelleyERgirl, LPN · Mar 2, 2004

Hey Trauma, thanks for the words of encouragement, I really needed them. I think I am discouraged because I am so behind with my paperwork assignments and stuff but I am trying to remember that this is only temporary and I will get back in the groove in no time! :)

Hey ld, where were you stationed at when you were in the Navy? It is possible that we know each other. I got out in August of 1996 as a HM3 too! ...yeah, I definitely know what you are talking about with the advancement thing, although when I got out, I had only taken the HM2 exam once. I got out to go to school full time which didn't actually happen until a couple years ago. Go figure! :rolleyes:

veteranRN · Mar 2, 2004

I was an HM from 1984-1988. I got out of the Navy and was a CNA for a while and then went to school for my nursing. I loved it!!! Now I am a nurse auditor for a hospital. I also work a second job at a LTC facility. Love both jobs.My dad was career navy so entering out of high school was a natural transition. I'm glad you posted so we can see how many of us there are.

crna29 · Mar 2, 2004

HM's rock! I am in the USNR-NC as an LT and supervise the HM's. They know their stuff and I would count on them anyday. Those of you that served as HM's thank you! Navynurse29 - please stay in the RN program!!! You'll be closer should you want to pursue your BSN or advanced nursing degree's. It is really worth it. Remember the paperwork is only temporary, your degree is forever.

ldshaw · Mar 2, 2004

I was stationed in Seattle from 1992-1994 as a seaman then went on to HM school in San Diego Oct 94-Feb 95

I was stationed in Portsmouth VA from Feb 95-Sep 98 Then went on to Dermatology Tech C School

I was stationed in Newport Rhode Island from Feb 99-Sept 03.

Now here I am in Sacramento as a new LVN. Civilian life took some getting used to, but I love not having duty and being away from my family. This is great!!!

rollingstone · Mar 2, 2004

Was an Hm with 1st Marine Brigade (good old 8404 grunt corpsman) at Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Air Station. Served '78 to '82. Only spent 18 months total at Kaneohe because once I deployed on my first WestPac cruise I ended up going out on three more. We were required to do two and I volunteered for two more. Even crossdecked once (got to spend two whole weeks in Subic waiting for the next battalion to arrive) spending a year at sea. In short, I loved it. Remember boot camp when you filled out your dream sheet. I said, what the hell I'm putting down Hawaii. Well, got exactly what I asked for. Got to see lots of places including: Philippines; Okinawa; Singapore; Hong Kong; Mombasa, Kenya; Diego Garcia; Colombo,Sri Lanka; Sydney, Australia; Hobart, Tasmania; Perth/Freemantle, Western Australia; Port Moresby, New Guinnea. Went to sea on some mighty fine "gator freighters" including: USS Tripoli (LPH-10), USS Frederick (LST-1184), and USS Tarawa (LHA-1). This thread brought back some good memories. Have now been a cardiovascular nurse for twelve years and have been a travel nurse now for the last year. Take care ladies and gents and God Bless.

ldshaw · Mar 2, 2004

Rollingstone...Did you become a nurse after you got out of the Navy? Did you become an RN or LVN? Honestly, I love that fact that California allows us HM's to become LVN's with out going through civilian college. I would love to go back to school and become an RN, but it is just not the best time. I need to work right now and school will have to be on the back burner for now. I have to kick myself for not going to school while in the Navy. I certainly had the time, no excuses, just not interested. Now that I am a civilian, I really regret not going to school. I was in the Navy for Eleven years and worked in a clinic for seven years. I could have easily taken classes after work. Well, not much I can do about it now right. I am glad to hear from so many Corpsman, makes me feel not so alone on here...:)

stevierae · Mar 3, 2004

I was an HM2 when I got out in '78; my last duty station was Pearl Harbor. Did 2 years in the reserves and accompanied a P3 squadron to the Azores as their corpsman--what a blast!! What a bunch of party animals those guys were! I went to nursing school right after I got out--challenged the first year (fundamentals)--have been an operating room nurse since 1981.

gerry79 · Mar 3, 2004

Hello all! I am currently a Coast Guard HS (corpsman). IDC Graduate July 99 (San Diego). RN student Jan 05. I remember when California let IDC graduates challenge the RN Board 2 years after graduating from school. Stopped that program in April 2000. :crying2: