Civilian nursing vs military nursing experiences

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Sorry for all the questions but I want to get as much info as I can before I make my decision.

I am unhappy in my position as a civilian nurse. It is a very rural, economically depressed area. There is no upward mobility, and the patients here are extremely disrespectful of the nurses. We're spat upon and cursed at, threatened, you name it - and if we stand up for ourselves we're expected to apologize.

I assume that patients in military hospitals are expected to behave themselves better - but you know what they say about making assumptions. My husband, who is retired from the airforce, says that the sort of behavior I described above is not tolerated and that even the families of military members are more civil because they don't want to embarass their soldier. I wasn't married to him while he was in the airforce, and I have very little experience with the military.

Is there anybody on here, with experience both as a civilian nurse and as a military nurse, who would be willing to compare the two experiences?

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

From what I have seen you are correct about military hospitals. This is also seen at VA hospitals. Staff at military hospitals are also expected to act more professional then most civilian hospitals. When you are speaking to another staff member you are expected to use their military rank, or Mr./Ms. if they are civilian.

I have worked in civilian hospitals, a VA hospital and military hospital. I would choose a VA or military hospital over a civilian hospital anyday.

Sounds like you come from the same area of rural NY that I did.

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I'm from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, actually, but I've heard it's pretty much the same in any economically depressed rural area. Thanks for the input. Now I'll just wait for that recruiter to call me back . . .

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Good to hear something postive. I myself am a military spouse and just entirely tired already of working in a civilian hospital. They are all about customer service, but they take it to the extreme. Nurses basically have ZERO rights or status. And you're right -- if you upset them, you've got to apologize, no matter how ill behaved or unreasonable they are.

I'm ready to go take care of vets, or returning vets of the war. To do that would be much more rewarding. As a military spouse, I can attest that family members are also very respectful.

Hoping also to hear from a local military hospital soon.

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Specializes in Addictions, Acute Psychiatry.

As a nurse in a VA you're title 38 which is the same as doctors. My time at the VA was unsurpassed. Not even close. Sure you have some dysfunctional units but you've got plenty of vacation to get away. It's the only system I know of that pays for your years of experience (no pay compression like private hospitals).

You can transfer anywhere and no private place has half the bennies. Not one.

I've found some rural VA's with surprisingly highly educated, professional staff where many are transplants so you don't get the local issues typical of depressed areas (in many cases).

They give you on paper what you need to do for your next raise. How easy is that? Not based on if you got your head nurse coffee or brown nosed it but based on what further educated you get and what you do for the VA and for the staff. They DO promote from within. Nearly ALL my former VA coworkers are JD's, NP's, managers and doctors. Nearly ALL!

Get in there and never leave!

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castlegates- does that go for all military facilities or are you just referring to VA hospitals? i am hoping to get into the air force and with no prior military background the whole situation and work schedule is daunting. just curious if your positive attitude is reflective of the military as a whole or just the VA.

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Specializes in psych/medical-surgical.
castlegates- does that go for all military facilities or are you just referring to VA hospitals? i am hoping to get into the air force and with no prior military background the whole situation and work schedule is daunting. just curious if your positive attitude is reflective of the military as a whole or just the VA.

Well the topic title is about military nursing, and although he didn't type it anywhere, most of the things he referenced for VA hospitals sound exactly like military/air force nursing!

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

I would disagree that the VA and AF nursing are anything alike. I have been loaned out and have done clinicals at the VA at two different locations. My personal opinion of the VA is that it is epitome of government bureaucracy with some of the laziest/ most unprofessional individuals any place I have ever worked. There are some great people that work at the VA, but they are by far the minority.

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Specializes in psych/medical-surgical.
I would disagree that the VA and AF nursing are anything alike. I have been loaned out and have done clinicals at the VA at two different locations. My personal opinion of the VA is that it is epitome of government bureaucracy with some of the laziest/ most unprofessional individuals any place I have ever worked. There are some great people that work at the VA, but they are by far the minority.

So... referring strictly to his castlegates' post, you don't agree that...

As a nurse in a VA you're title 38 which is the same as doctors.

I thought Nurses/Doctors can be the same rank in the AF and that RNs can "outrank" MDs.

It's the only system I know of that pays for your years of experience (no pay compression like private hospitals)... You can transfer anywhere and no private place has half the bennies. Not one....They give you on paper what you need to do for your next raise... Not based on if you got your head nurse coffee or brown nosed it but based on what further educated you get and what you do for the VA and for the staff. They DO promote from within. Nearly ALL my former VA coworkers are JD's, NP's, managers and doctors. Nearly ALL!

This sounds pretty much like what I have been told about the AF, like advanced degrees weigh heavily for promotions, and benefits/yearly raises are hard to beat. I thought AF hospitals use paper charting? The VA hospital near me uses paper too!

At least some aspects are alike! Then again, I don't have experience in either, so maybe I should shut up.

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