Considering Military: Airforce or Navy

[chad49usc]

Hello everyone! I am a student that has been looking into the military for after college, I'm in a BSN program. I have been really nervous about how I compare competitively because I want to go to grad school in the military. I have a gpa of 3.48, close to a 3.5 but not all the way there, with what I lack in academics, I have tried to make up in involvement with different organizations.

Hey everyone! This is my first article, I really do not knowhow to properly make these, I hope I filled out everything. Well, I am anursing student that has been working towards going to grad school, specifically nursing anesthesia, since the start of college. I have looked into hospital groups around me to see if they had scholarships or if they would payfor nursing to go to grad school.

I know these are very competitive so Idecided to look at the military as well. I have been "allowed" by my father to look into the navy and the air force for a career path, the army is ano go with the threat of being disowned (playfully said, but still can't gointo the army). I'm incredibly worried about how I stack up. I don't want to gointo something like the military and find out that I'm the bottom of the barreland I'll never get the chance to go. I have been reading up on what people saylike "make sure its in your contract" and the like. I have no idea what that means.

I'm sorry if this is long but I want to see what you think of my current standing. I went into nursing school with a gpa of 3.875, currently standing with a 3.48, nursing school has had its downs, with some ups haha. I know I don't have a 4.0 like many others do on this site, but since I'm not as academically fortunate, I have tried to bolster my resume with being involved with the Student Nursing Association, I am an active member that goes to State meetings. I am the President of the Student Nursing Government of my program, previously the treasurer. I helped form a fraternity on campus that I am currently the academic advisor, I have been successful with making my fraternity the highest fraternal gpa, only behind one sorority on campus to being highest in Greek life. I have worked in an ER for the past 1 1/2 years as a Student Nurse tech, trying to get that to add to my work experience. Overall, I'm hoping that this looks decent....

About the military, what are the best hospitals for the navy or air force from your specific experience? For the navy specifically, how is the San Diego hospital, I spoke with a recruiter and she heavily recommended it for the ICU work. I know that everyone has a different feel or taste but anything helps. I know that lateral violence is extremely prevalent in the hospital from personal experience and from research that I have conducted for several projects/papers. Is the military less likely to have lateral violence due to the rigidity? Do you recommend going in as soon as I get out of college or should I go in after I have had some ICU experience (for the nurse anesthetist program) then apply for the military?

What is life like as a military nurse? I know typical hours are random, but you'll always work 40. Does it ever get to be too much? I want as much advice as you can give about what to expect. I did not do ROTC in high school because I never thought I would go into the military. I really like the idea of going into the military because of the benefits like: Tricare, leave, the culture of fitness, free travel (like deployment ...jokes), as an officer, what exactly does a nurse do? Is there any difference in a BSN nurse compared to an RN nurse or LPN in the military? As officers, do we wear scrubs or do we wear uniforms on the floor?

Thank you for taking your time to answer my questions!!

[jeckrn, BSN, RN]

First of all it you are "allowed" to join the military by your father the military does not sound like a good fit for you. You need to contact a healthcare recruiter not your local enlisted storefront recruiter. You can find the information on how to contact them at their recruiting web sites. If you are referring that an RN is a ADN, no the military does not use them. At one time the Navy had them as Warrant Officers and the Army used them in the reserves. LPN's in the military are enlisted and treated as such; they work long hours and have other duties besides their nursing duties. RN's are officer and are treated a whole lot better but still have other duties.

What uniform you wear on the floor will depend on where you work. Some hospitals have all their direct care personal wear scrubs and others only have the OR wear them. Each facility is different on this. Forty hours will be the minimum that you will work. The benefits are nice but it can be a pain to use. An example is if you want to travel over a weekend and you are travelling over 250 miles (varies by command) you have to fill out paper work weeks in advance. Sometimes it only takes a minute or two to fill out, other commands make it so difficult that it takes up to an hour. Spur of the moment trips are hard in the military.

Over all I enjoyed my years of service but it just became time to retire this year.

[chad49usc]

I promise the "allowed" is a joke, I have a very close family. Dad was in the army reserve and I think that may have influenced his reaction when I discussed this with my family.

Thank you for the reply! What branch did you serve in and how many years?

[jeckrn, BSN, RN]

Navy & Army, active & reserves in both, 28 years

[nurse2033, MSN, RN]

Don't get to wrapped up about which service is better. Would Chuck Yeager have been a rock star in the Army? Or Patton awesome in the Navy? What I mean is there is excellence in all services and you get out of it what you put into it. I would find out which service has the most health care facilities. This would provide the most opportunity for variety and travel. Or the service that provides you the best offer. You do need to contact a health care recruiter, they are far better, as many have noted on this site. Good luck.

[chad49usc]

Thank you for the comment, I'm just worried about my future. The military seems exciting and a brand new opportunity to me. I'll look into the health care facilities, I didn't even think of that!