Army Nurse Corps or Navy/Air Force After BSN

[ohwhyshai]

Hi guys! I have a few questions as I am about to start nursing school and am looking into what I will do after I graduate. I recently got accepted to Emory's Accelerated BSN + MSN program and after I graduate I will come out with my Masters in Nursing. With that being said, I have been looking into joining the navy/air force or the nurse corps after I graduate. I am a little undecided because both have their pros and cons and I was wondering if anyone who has experience in either/both can shed some light for me.

I am just wondering what your general experience was like. How was day to day life as an NP. What kinds of benefits did you receive? How long was your contract? Did you get deployed or moved to multiple bases? How were you treated amongst your peers and superiors? How was training and how long did it last?

Or should I just forego the military in general and live my life/career as a civilian?

Just to add a little bit of background about me, I am 5'2 and African American with an athletic build. I am a little worried about the training that is going to take place before I start service because I had an ex who is in the army and hearing about how intense their training was like makes me wonder what mine is going to be like. Also, being a woman of color in a predominantly male field makes me a little worried as I have heard a good amount of horror stories.

If anyone has any experience or knowledge on any of the questions I asked above, it would be greatly appreciated. I, also, understand that it would be easier to ask a recruiter my questions, but the nearest one is 4 hours away from me and I am looking for honest, unbiased information. Thanks!

[jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA]

As far as the racial/gender thing, I can't really comment as I have neither consideration. I can say that my current direct boss is a black woman. The current AF surgeon general is a white woman and the current Army surgeon general is a black woman.

I assume you're doing FNP? I think a key benefit is the pay (google O-2 pay with 0 years experience and add about $1800 per month in housing and food allowances)...my ballpark math says you come out ahead in the military as an FNP once you factor-in free healthcare and free malpractice insurance along with the retirement pension. Plus, the retention bonuses can raise your pay $20-35K per year depending on the need.

The day to day is largely similar to the civilian sector. You work in an outpatient clinic but take care of military dependents and retirees. As an FNP, you'd probably run the outpatient sick call in a deployed setting. A common deployment tempo is 6 months every 18-24 months. FNPs don't generally go every time though.