I have been a nurse for 12 years, only a BSN since May 2017. 9 years of that have been in either ICU or the cath lab. I am married, have 2 children, 1 of which is from my previous marriage. Not prior military. Ultimately I want to go to CRNA school, but that is only part of the driving force behind joining the military.
No crazy background issues other than a foreclosure that finalized a few months ago.
Army: direct commision as O1 during school, obtain DNP, 5 year ADSC. If it sucks as far as my family goes, its 8 years. But school is paid for and complete.
Navy: direct commision as ICU RN, $30K for a 4 year contract, $20k/year as CCRN (I currently have), after 3 years eligible to apply to USUHS, but most likely won't get in until contract is complete. If it sucks, its 4 years, then use the post-9/11 GI bill to pay for CRNA school.
The majority of the patients I see in a military hospital are dependents and retirees, which is typically reflective of the civilian population's health status (read: same). Military members 'may' be grateful for your care, or they may treat you like wait staff at a hotel.
As far as pursuing CRNA school goes, I know for the Navy you have to apply to the DUINS program and have your package go in front of a board for selection. It is competitive, and based upon a myriad of things, such as officer evals from multiple years, GRE scores, GPA in any post-BSN coursework, specialty-leader endorsement, etc. Don't quote me, but they may now have a requirement that you complete at least your second duty station to apply, with typical rotations being 3 years per. In essence, the military is not a quick route to CRNA - you're actually more likely to get in/complete school now on your own while out based upon the experience you listed.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I have talked to both recruiters and both have said as long as the foreclosure is finalized, they do not see it as an issue. Getting school paid for is obviously a big incentive, but that is not the primary reason for joining. I initially contacted a recruiter because I am burned out taking care of the civillian population (non compliant, abusing the healthcare system,) and am interested in providing care for a population that actually wants it. He then lead me down the line of what my career goals are. About it sucking, I meant if it sucks as in my daughter who is used to seeing me half of the time, only sees me about 88 days a year (not counting deployments). The family issues have come to light the more research I do, and am just trying to make sure I am making an informed decision and not just based on the monetary value of comissioning.
I talked to my lawyer, and we have a gameplan as far as filing for custody changes. I was really hoping for someone who is or has been active duty and dealt with shared custody that could give some insight maybe as to how the children handled the big change in custody.
My wife is on board with the military, so from that standpoint I do not think it will be an issue. The concern is for my seven year old and how she will handle the change.
You realize that military hospitals care for the families of the service person, not just the person in the military, right? You'll see plenty of noncomplicance and abuse of the healthcare system there, too. And soldiers and sailors can be quite noncompliant themselves.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
Right, and I think I understand that pretty well. But you for example (hopefully not too personal), were you excited to go between homes? I envision my daughter being excited to see places I won't get to show her otherwise, and to come spend time with us at those new places. But I also know reality can be drastically different than the rose colored glasses. Which is why I'm leaning towards Navy. If for some reason she didn't adjust well, in 4 years I'm done and go to a local CRNA program. If she adjusts well, I stay, apply to USUHS, and make it a career.
I have a feeling that this is really one of those things that I just have to decide on, and live with.
My stepchild was not interested in going between homes, seeing new places, etc. She was absolutely uninterested in anything that had to do with her being away from her mother's home and her usual routine, friends, etc. We ended up moving 3000 miles so that we could spend time with her since she was so unwilling to come to us.
My stepchild was not interested in going between homes, seeing new places, etc. She was absolutely uninterested in anything that had to do with her being away from her mother's home and her usual routine, friends, etc. We ended up moving 3000 miles so that we could spend time with her since she was so unwilling to come to us.
That is food for thought. May I ask how old your step daughter was? My daughter is 7 at the moment, and i have a good relationship with her.
You realize that military hospitals care for the families of the service person, not just the person in the military, right? You'll see plenty of noncomplicance and abuse of the healthcare system there, too. And soldiers and sailors can be quite noncompliant themselves.
The majority of the patients I see in a military hospital are dependents and retirees, which is typically reflective of the civilian population's health status (read: same). Military members 'may' be grateful for your care, or they may treat you like wait staff at a hotel.
As far as pursuing CRNA school goes, I know for the Navy you have to apply to the DUINS program and have your package go in front of a board for selection. It is competitive, and based upon a myriad of things, such as officer evals from multiple years, GRE scores, GPA in any post-BSN coursework, specialty-leader endorsement, etc. Don't quote me, but they may now have a requirement that you complete at least your second duty station to apply, with typical rotations being 3 years per. In essence, the military is not a quick route to CRNA - you're actually more likely to get in/complete school now on your own while out based upon the experience you listed.
Recruiter stated one tour before eligible. As it is now, I have to wait 5 years before being able to obtain grad PLUS loans (meaning I can't pay for it now). So, worse case scenario, I join, decide it's not for me, get out after 4 years, and use GI bill. I would still be 1 year ahead of my current situation. And will have contributed 4 years to the country. And not joining military to experience that IS something I regret never doing....never mind all the talk about money and school.
I just wanted to chime in, not as a nurse but as a Navy veteran. Unfortunately, integrity isn't nearly as built into some service members as the civilian world sometimes believes. You will get some people who are serious about their health, but you will also get A LOT of individuals going to sick call appointments in order to get out of PT/duty/etc. You will also have individuals who are non-compliant, pill seeking, and lying about symptoms in order to be "med down" and unable to work to the same standard as their shipmates/battle buddies. Service members quickly realize that if you want to get out of something, your NCO can't stop you from going to medical. Though it may not be the abuse you are used you, you will ABSOLUTELY see a lot of abuse of the system. Add to that a large number of people who are getting out within the next 6-ish months and all of a sudden are making appointments for everything under the sun because they want it documented prior to their EAOS so they can add it to their VA disability claim. I love my fellow veterans and active duty service members and don't mean to disparage them, but I feel that a lot of people think "military medicine" and picture corpsmen and medics on the battle field plugging whatever bleeding hole they can find while the service members expresses their gratitude. While this obviously happens, more often than not you are going to get service members who are fairly indifferent to the care they are receiving. Deep down, many of us realize how lucky we are to have free quality healthcare, however on the surface you are likely going to hear more jokes about "how military health care is going to kill you" or "military docs/nurses/etc. couldn't care less, you are nothing but a nametape" than you will expressions of gratitude.
I don't want to deter you, I just wanted to give some insight so you weren't disappointed.
I just wanted to chime in, not as a nurse but as a Navy veteran. Unfortunately, integrity isn't nearly as built into some service members as the civilian world sometimes believes. You will get some people who are serious about their health, but you will also get A LOT of individuals going to sick call appointments in order to get out of PT/duty/etc. You will also have individuals who are non-compliant, pill seeking, and lying about symptoms in order to be "med down" and unable to work to the same standard as their shipmates/battle buddies. Service members quickly realize that if you want to get out of something, your NCO can't stop you from going to medical. Though it may not be the abuse you are used you, you will ABSOLUTELY see a lot of abuse of the system. Add to that a large number of people who are getting out within the next 6-ish months and all of a sudden are making appointments for everything under the sun because they want it documented prior to their EAOS so they can add it to their VA disability claim. I love my fellow veterans and active duty service members and don't mean to disparage them, but I feel that a lot of people think "military medicine" and picture corpsmen and medics on the battle field plugging whatever bleeding hole they can find while the service members expresses their gratitude. While this obviously happens, more often than not you are going to get service members who are fairly indifferent to the care they are receiving. Deep down, many of us realize how lucky we are to have free quality healthcare, however on the surface you are likely going to hear more jokes about "how military health care is going to kill you" or "military docs/nurses/etc. couldn't care less, you are nothing but a nametape" than you will expressions of gratitude.
I don't want to deter you, I just wanted to give some insight so you weren't disappointed.
That is definitely good insight. Yes, prior to this thread, in my head there was this impression that everyone was grateful and compliant because they're military, lol. Obviously that was naive. From a personal standpoint I still feel that serving in the military, even if I end up hating it, is an experience I feel I should have. But am still having the internal debate as to whether or not it is worth the stress and strain I would place on my family especially my daughter whom I share custody with.
I recently precepted a student who is former Army medic, and he explained it as "for your career it is the best thing you could do. For your family it is the worst thing you could do".
Military life is very hard on a family as you will all feel as though some external force is calling the shots and directing your life as a family unit (which it is, to an extent). That being said, I didn't get married and start a family until the last year of my 10 years in, so I didn't see the long-term effects that it would have on ours. I don't want to discourage you though, serving in the Navy was an absolute honor for me and when the day comes and I'm nearing the end of my time on this planet, I have no doubt I will look back on my time as a Sailor as one of the most meaningful periods of my life.
Lunah, MSN, RN
14 Articles; 13,773 Posts
I loved visiting new places (still do), and I always felt like visiting my dad was a special treat because he made it that way. :)
Good luck, whatever you decide!