Civilians

[msrob]

Hello.

I'm interested in Civilian nursing with the army or something.

I wan't to work with the troops and everything, it really feels like my calling. I would think of Army nursing, but I've waited a very long time to have some independance and live life my way, so I don't think that that lifestyle would be fitting for me right now. Not having to do boot camp or get deployed is attractive to me as well. So it seems civilian would be the best fit. But I don't really know anything about what it REALLY is like. There isn't a lot of information it.

If anyone is knowlegable, a little info would be great.

I only saw one website that I got from AJN this months.

Thanks.

[Cursed Irishman]

It doesn't sound like you really want to serve, but just want to associate with those who do. Perhaps evaluating other kinds of positions would be beneficial.

[shapely]

USAJOBS - The Federal Government's Official Jobs Site. You have to have 1 year experience. It takes 3-6 months to get through the application process and start. Or try VA hospitals. They hire more new grads (if applicable).

[msrob]

Thanks shapely.

I looked at civilianmedicaljobs.org or somemthing. That was good. But I want to know as much as possible.

Thank you for the link.

[msrob]

I would like to help heal those who fought for our country cursedirishman, no other motives. I care about that population, but actually joining the Army or another branch I'm not interested in for personal reasons, that is why I was wondering about civilian medical jobs.

[shapely]

Working as a civilian in a military hospital isn't any different than working in a civilian hospital. At least I didn't notice a difference when I did it. Of course I was in L&D, so that could be why. I don't know if you are going to have the same sense of pride in the job as an active duty service member would...if that is what you are looking for. I never felt like I was "serving my country" by working at an army hospital. You won't deploy as a civilian. You won't do PT. You won't be held to the same level of responsibility for their extra meetings or projects. They won't force you to come in on your day off. It was very much like the civilian world. You have regular staff meetings and PI projects that you can do to help you get a raise but weren't required like the active duty folks. And since they don't like to call people by their first names and you don't have any rank, they'll call you Mister ___. I didn't like that. Overall if I weren't going active duty, I would go back to civil service. It has great pay and benefits. Most of your patients will probably be retired or family members. Overall I hope that most of our troops are healthy and not spending too many nights in the hospital. I would think you would take care of them more in a clinic. Just a guess there.

If you want to work Medsurg or ICU with wounded troops when they come home, you'd have to go somewhere like Walter Reed or probably move to Texas. They don't send wounded troops everywhere.

[Cursed Irishman]

Have you researched the VA at all?