what is army nursing really like?

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I am in the process of joining the reserves as a critical care nurse. At 44 years of age and 23 years of critical care experience I have finally decided to do what I wanted to do when I first graduated nursing school. I do not have my bsn but will work on it once I join. One doctor I talked to recently told me horror stories of being an army nurse. Is it so much different than working at a regional hospital or city hospital? (I am currently at two regional hospitals working with cardio-thoracic surgery and other general icu patients at the other hospital ie vent care, neuro disorderes, sepsis etc. I hate to say this but he really discouraged me from joining on a number of reasons. But, he was a military M.D. in the approx years of mid 1970's to 1980's. (I am guessing by his experience for he is about my age or slightly older). So, can anyone please tell me what it is really like!! I have already contacted a recruiter and have all the info and paperwork to enlist. This is the last thing holding me back. Thank you!!

p.s. I did not want to talk to my recruiter about this due to a biased opinion.

Hi GenX,

I can only speak for myself but I have heard nothing but positives as far as AD Army Nursing goes. I just completed OBLC and am headed to my first duty station in the upcoming days. I am married and have four small children, well not so small, ages 5, 6, 10, and 11. Your marriage will only end in divorce if it has problems, the military has nothing to do with that. I have many friends who have survived multiple deployments and their marriage is stronger than ever! Do not listen to everything you hear. If you deploy it will only be for 6 months, never 18 months so whoever told you that is really telling some lies.

Let me know if you have any questions as I am here to help.

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Specializes in Home Health, Podiatry, Neurology, Case Mgmt.

my mother in law is an RN in the Army reserves. her unit doesnt do much during their one weekend a month but she did get to go to egypt for her two week one summer, she never got a "deployment in the states" and the only bad this far was that she deployed to Mosul Iraq for 12 mo. on top of that 12 months was training prior for 2-3 mo to get them ready for the war zone. she did mostly critical care/icu type nursing in mosul, she said it was hot, dirty and of course hard to be from home for so long...but other than that she loves being in the reserves. she had a boyfriend while deployed and they just got married last year so the army has nothing to do with your relationship so long as your relationship is strong

my hubby is active duty, and we have been married and part of the army for 5yrs. this is our second deployment and no signs of divorce (we have two small children as well)

good luck with your decision! HOOAH!

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Specializes in ICU- adults, Flight RN peds/neo.
Hi GenX,

I can only speak for myself but I have heard nothing but positives as far as AD Army Nursing goes. I just completed OBLC and am headed to my first duty station in the upcoming days. I am married and have four small children, well not so small, ages 5, 6, 10, and 11. Your marriage will only end in divorce if it has problems, the military has nothing to do with that. I have many friends who have survived multiple deployments and their marriage is stronger than ever! Do not listen to everything you hear. If you deploy it will only be for 6 months, never 18 months so whoever told you that is really telling some lies.

Let me know if you have any questions as I am here to help.

Really.....6months? What,.... did they just shorten it? I was told over and over again in our OBLC (Oct 2008) that deployments for RNs are 12months "feet on the ground" and 3 months training==15 months.

Physcians, CRNAs, PAs have 120 day deployments (or longer). Vets get 6 month deployments.

I know of two groups deploying 2009 for 15 months (Iraq).

c.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Telemetry, Corrections.
Hi GenX,

I can only speak for myself but I have heard nothing but positives as far as AD Army Nursing goes. I just completed OBLC and am headed to my first duty station in the upcoming days. I am married and have four small children, well not so small, ages 5, 6, 10, and 11. Your marriage will only end in divorce if it has problems, the military has nothing to do with that. I have many friends who have survived multiple deployments and their marriage is stronger than ever! Do not listen to everything you hear. If you deploy it will only be for 6 months, never 18 months so whoever told you that is really telling some lies.

Let me know if you have any questions as I am here to help.

Thanks so much for the reply. It's nice to hear positive things. I can't even discuss the issue with my family, especially my 72-yr-old mother! She mistakenly thinks that I'll be on the frontline of combat if I make this choice. She also asks me constantly, "What would you do with Tyler (my 3-yr-old) if you were to be deployed?" Of course, I'm married, and my husband has been nothing but supportive. He would be the one to take care of my son in that case. My oldest son will be eighteen by that time, so not as much worry about him. I'm also a graduate student. The first thing out of my graduate advisor's mouth was, "Why would you want to do THAT?!" I was really quite offended. Again, I think it would be one, if not the MOST, honorable thing I could do in my life.

How long did the entire process take you? Did you say you were in the Reserves or commissioned full-time? If you are full-time, did you get your first choice of assignment at your first duty station or did you go where you were needed the most? I'm still not sure how that process works as a nurse. I have so many questions that I feel really ignorant about asking my recruiter. However, answers to all my little questions may determine whether or not I decide to join. Thanks again for any information you can offer.

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A while back the nurse corp (someone high up... I forget) had announced nurses would deploy for 6 months tours.

That being said - it's a great notion, I'm not sure if valid.. but I would not mentally accept that a 12 or 15 month deployment is not a possibility... but I wouldn't 'worry' about it either as its something we cannot control.

v/r

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Older,

They have changed the deployment status for RNs to only 6 months, that allows us to have shorter times and is now focusing on family, we switch on and off.

GenX,

The whole process took me a year, as I had to wait to finish residencies. It only took me two months to start the process, get boarded, and accepted, but that was because I had everything they needed prior to meeting with them.

I am Active Duty, never did the Reserves route, although all RNs enter via USAR. When you start the process you get to list your top three choices, all three of mine were available. I have my PhD so I understand about graduate school and the looks by some of the advisors. Then again others are more supportive, it really depends upon the person. There are so many routes available for nurses, just like the civilian sector. Families are now more important than ever. Recruiters do not have all of the information so it may be better to ask someone who has served. BTW, all of the postings regarding previous OBLCs have all changed. My class was the first one to instill new things and future classes will all be conducted off post. So my advice to you is to caution what you read..may not always be true.

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Specializes in ICU- adults, Flight RN peds/neo.

GetnPhD,

You need to change your name now that you have completed your dissertation and defense. Congratulations!!!!

Yeah, concerning the "deployment lengths".... If the change occurred after Nov. 25, 2008, I am in the wrong, but our cadre (in Nov.) told us repeadly in ppt didactic sessions that the deployment lengths were still the same (this was from many people).

And my CSH unit is still planning on 12 month boots in the sand for 2010, per LTC. and Commander.

c.

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Oh wow. Are you Active? We were told this around 10 DEC. They told us that those that were previously scheduled for 12 months would continue that and those that are now being scheduled to deploy will start the 6 month cycle. However, it is the Army..so you know how that can be.

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Specializes in critical care: trauma/oncology/burns.

Hello Everyone and Happy New Year 2009

Yes, if you are PROFIS than you will be deployed for six months but you would get the opportunity to volunteer to stay longer or to go where there is a need (1 5M or 2 8A are needed in "XYZ"l)

If your whole Company goes, then you will be gone for 12-15 months (including MOB etc)

athena

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Specializes in MED/SURG ICU, CT ICU.

Hi GenXRN,

I passed my physical at the end of November and have submitted the last of my paperwork the beginning of January. I wanted to wait until after the holidays so it didn't get lost in the rush of things or just sit around. I sent everything to my recruiter and am waiting to hear from her. (I'll try to call tomorrow even though it is a weekend ) I just want to know what she thinks. I'm nervous because when I first started this journey the age limit was 45.5 years. Now I thought I saw the requirement age limit was up to 41 years. I am hoping to hear from my recruiter to either verify this info or debunk it. I hope either way that since I already passed my physical with the old guidlines in place that I will get an age waiver.You never know what the Army wants. I also like discipline and accountability and find it sometimes lacking in one of my jobs. (I work part time at one hospital and full time at another) I have also come to the conclusion that just like anything, there are pro's and cons to Army life. Both my sons seem to love it so far. It is all a matter of perspective too. As far as divorce rate, that is between you and your spouse. If you are both on board or they are supportive and you have good commuication then I don't see a problem. Many people I know are in the same boat and everyone handles things differently. Just keep you eyes wide open and make sure this is what you want. It sure sounds like it. I also would love to serve my country by doing what I love to do ...being a nurse!

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Specializes in MED/SURG ICU, CT ICU.

Great Big Congrats on PHD!!!! Great Job!!!

I'm looking into getting bsn to msn if and when I hear from boards.

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Specializes in MED/SURG ICU, CT ICU.

Hello Athena55,

I hear you are the guru of all question!!! Have you heard of any changes in the age limit for entering the reserves? I was first told it was 45.5 years but recently found another source that said it was now 41 years old. I know the Army changes things quickly and sometimes my recruiter isn't even aware of the changes. If you have heard anything, please let me know. Thanks for all of your info. You are a great source of information esp. for us newbies!!! :specs:

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