Considering navy. Pros. Cons? Kids.

allnurses Guide · Oct 30, 2011

I am considering the navy given the LIE fed to us about some nursing shortage.
New Graduate is the new worst curse word in medicine.
I will be done with my ADN in Dec, BSN shortly thereafter.
I may consider the Navy should I find myself unfortunate like so many other new grads.
I have 3 kids and am married.
What are the pros and cons of military service?
Can I pick my own preferred 'floors', i.e. surgery, emergency medicine etc, or will I get what I get?
I've seen several posts about 'collateral' assignments... What are these? How much extra time do they add.
Lastly... would I be able to complete my MSN while in? I"ve seen several online MSN informatics degrees I'm interested in... would I have time for that?
Thought, suggestions, comments. Welcome.

1. The military/Navy is not the place to go just because you cannot find a job as a nurse.

2. It will take anywhere from 18-24+mo on average right now to get into the military as a nurse. You wouldn't be eligible to start the process until you were in the your BSN program.

3. No you can't pick the floor you want to work on. You go where the Navy/military needs you most.

4. A lot of people complete their MSN or Doctorate while Active Duty. MSNs holders are a dime a dozen in the military. You can pretty much count on anyone that is above the rank of O-3 having their Masters degree in something.

ohmg · Oct 31, 2011

Thanks. I am currently enrolled and taking classes online for my BSN. Thanks for this and any other comments.

As for your response in #1.... why not?

I can see myself serving. It is a viable alternative that my wife and I are considering and that is why I'm exploring and asking questions.

Thanks!

allnurses Guide · Oct 31, 2011

Thanks. I am currently enrolled and taking classes online for my BSN. Thanks for this and any other comments.
As for your response in #1.... why not?
I can see myself serving. It is a viable alternative that my wife and I are considering and that is why I'm exploring and asking questions.
Thanks!

Joining the military is more a way of life than anything else. It will influence everything you do in one way or another. IMO people that join the military for a job end up being meiserable.

ohmg · Oct 31, 2011

Joining the military is more a way of life than anything else. It will influence everything you do in one way or another. IMO people that join the military for a job end up being meiserable.

It would be more than, 'just for a job'. But, at the same time, it would NOT be, 'just for the lifestyle'.

As for the days, I hear they are often 12 hour days...

Is it 12 hour days, 5 days a week?

Oldlove · Oct 31, 2011

Collateral duty could mean different things, what I know it to be is being the PFA/PRT coordinator, BLS/ACLS instructor, MWR rep, so on and so forth. Choosing where you want to go can be pretty tough, it's true, the needs of the Navy is first and foremost and that includes being stationed somewhere you may not like.

The Navy life can be a very rewarding experience for you and your family. I was a Navy brat and we traveled the world over, I remember though when I was a teenager I found it hard to always pick up and go, but I'm a better person for it. Make sure you talk long and hard about this with your wife and kids, make sure they're okay with it. Also, once the decision is made to go back and talk about it again, just to solidify the decision. It's not just you that'll be serving.

I'm married and have a son. It took us two years to finally hear the word that I was final selected into the Nurse Corps. But you better believe without the blessing of my wife I would've never signed up. Ultimately, seeing the world appealed to us. She's a Navy brat as well, so I think it's easier for her to grasp the gravity of our commitment. Good luck to you.

Oh last thing, if you find yourself in a situation where you're waiting for a decision from the Navy. If possible, FIND any ICU/ER job, you'll be glad you did.

Oldlove · Oct 31, 2011

Oh to answer your question about days...say for example you work 36 hour weeks in a civilian job, that's great and considered full time. In the military if someone is sick or there's not enough staff on your day off, you could be called in to work. My sister in law was NC in the navy and she didn't like some of the 60+ hour weeks she had to do. Remember, always needs of the navy first.

allnurses Guide · Oct 31, 2011

It would be more than, 'just for a job'. But, at the same time, it would NOT be, 'just for the lifestyle'.
As for the days, I hear they are often 12 hour days...
Is it 12 hour days, 5 days a week?

If you work on a floor with 12hr shifts it usually so many months of nights, and then so many months of days plus coming in on your days off for meetings extra duties, appointments etc.

ohmg · Oct 31, 2011

Thanks for your responses, really appreciated. Will thoughtfully consider it! Thanks for not sugar coating it as well.

Oldlove · Oct 31, 2011

Of course man. You hear the call to serve, it's hard to ignore that. :]

izzycatswimRN · Nov 7, 2011

When people talk about collaterals I guess they could be extra duties like BLS/ACLS instructor. When you get assigned a floor you get a collateral for that unit. Currently, we have people dealing with supply, PFA coordinator, training folder manager, etc. Personally, I'm in charge of making sure myself and 40 other staff (military RN, civilians, and corpsmen) have their certification current to use glucometers as well as do urine hcG testing. Jus my two cents on that.