Can you study to be an RN with the army without being shipped off to Iraq?

joshuaclay · Feb 14, 2006

short, realistic answer: all branches of the armed forces, and pretty much all jobs, will deploy at one time or another.

will we still be in iraq by the time you finish a nursing degree? maybe not. but we might be in iran. you will want to be sure that you are ok with spending some time away from your family. even when you do not deploy, you sometimes have to stay on base overnight for duty days (depending on the base).

good luck with your decision.

josh

rclimbr · Feb 14, 2006

Talk to a recruiter. Are you a single parent? If you are the Army will make you sign Emergency custody to someone else. "Just in case" also even if you are stateside the military can call you to go to a temporary duty station and they will not let you take your kid.

I am sure the military has changed some since i got out but they are still focused on their primary mission and that is war. No matter what the recruiter tells you that is always a possibility.

ayndim · Feb 14, 2006

Sorry for my ignorance, but can a person sign up with the army and train to be a nurse and work as one -without having to travel overseas? I have a Bachelor's in Business and this is a second career for me. Among other reasons, that I won't go into, I have a newborn son that I would like to come home to each night.
Any info would be appreciated!

If you want to come home to your son every night, the military isn't for you. The military will always put their needs first. Like the others said, there is always the possibility that you will get shipped to a war zone or somewhere overseas. You can state your preferences for duty stations, but the military will put you where you are needed, regardless of your preferences. If you are looking for a way to pay for college, then I would suggest looking into hospitals and other sources of financing. If you truly want to be in the military then I wish you the best with your tough choice.

Good luck.

SmilingBluEyes · Feb 14, 2006

If you can't deploy, do not sign up. Simple as that. It's not fair for you to have expectations of joining the military and NOT deploy. If you have problems with the war or the politics of it, please do yourself and the military a favor and take a pass. At least it is a volunteer force and you are not looking at being drafted, unlike Vietnam. BE grateful and enjoy your life. Good luck to you.

KatieBell · Feb 14, 2006

Oh, I think you'd have to at one point be deployed. We have a Physician who has been deployed to Iraq now on three seperate tours of duty, long ones. He is very high up in some super secret areas which he can't talk about but it is like really one day he is working, he works for a few months, then without any warning, he's suddenly gone for several months, and then hes back again.... For regular military deployment is more scheduled, but it probably isn't a good idea to sign up for th military with the idea that you are going to live at home and be GI nurse from 9 to 5....

sunnyjohn · Feb 14, 2006

Concentrate on you new baby. Maybe when he is older you can accept a commission. I admire you commitment to serve your country, but you might regret missing the early years of your little one.

The military is going nowhere. We will always need good nurses to take care of our men and women. First take care of yourself. That will make you a better soldier.

2spr0ut02 · Feb 14, 2006

I'm so glad I read this thread. My mom is pushing for me to enlist in either the Air Force or Army but I dont want to. She sees it as a great way to get educational benefits which is great but I get financial aid. She was in the Army for 11 years so was my dad and other relatives. I was born on a base but I never had a desire to do that. Especially with the war going on. I think I'd be dq'd for my asthma anyway. The only way I'd join is if I knew I wouldnt be deployed and could focus on school. But as a recruiter told me you're a soldier first and a civilian second.

joshuaclay · Feb 14, 2006

The only way I'd join is if I knew I wouldnt be deployed and could focus on school. But as a recruiter told me you're a soldier first and a civilian second.

if you signed up for a nursing program, you would not be deployed until you completed the bsn program, passed the nclex, and received your commission. your mom is right about the armed forces being a great way to pay your way through school, but if you NEVER want to deploy, then the military is definately not for you. i did two 9 month deployments, and loved them both. good times!:chuckle

2spr0ut02 · Feb 14, 2006

if you signed up for a nursing program, you would not be deployed until you completed the bsn program, passed the nclex, and received your commission. your mom is right about the armed forces being a great way to pay your way through school, but if you NEVER want to deploy, then the military is definately not for you. i did two 9 month deployments, and loved them both. good times!:chuckle

Is it possible to get out of the service after you get your bsn? Or would you still have a commitment to them?

SmilingBluEyes · Feb 15, 2006

Once you sign on, you are expected to keep your committment, especially if any monies were given you to aid with education.

There is no such thing as a free lunch; the military is no different. It can be an amazing and wonderful career, but you will live it 24/7. If you can't put the military before your family and personal needs at most times, it's not for you.

Trauma Columnist · Feb 15, 2006

I'm sure you've realized from all the previous posters that the military is a 24/7 comittment and they frown on folks trying to get out prior to the end of their comittment. If you are looking for financial help with your education, what about the hospitals in your area.