Deploying as a military RN

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I have been an ICU RN for 6 years. I recently have been thinking about joining the military as a RN. My question is how likely are my chances to deploy to a combat zone? I know that's part of the deal, but I am a single parent and I worry about my child. I do have a family plan in place, but I'm hoping for assignments I can keep him with me. How realistic is this?

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This will sound horribly blunt, but you'd go in (more than likely) ICU qualified, and we're in the middle of a war on two fronts.

You'll definitely be deployed.

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Just for consensus purposes: Is it just me, or does there seem to be a rash of threads regarding this same topic?

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Why would you join the military to not be deployed? Being part of the Armed Forces is more then just a job...its a commitment and a lifestyle. If you don't want to the job when called upon to do it then stick with civilian nursing.

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.
Just for consensus purposes: Is it just me, or does there seem to be a rash of threads regarding this same topic?

I think there has been. It sounds like people are looking at the military as a option, but do no want all that goes with it. They want to continue to work like a civilian.

To answer the question for the poster, yes you will deploy some time in your career even if we are not at war. As far as your child being with you most assignments your child can accompany you. But there are some that no dependents are allowed. With that being said, you will need to make sure that you have good child care since not having it is not a excuse for not being at work. Before you decied if the military for you make sure you really think about what you want in your life.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Both my husband and myself were active duty when our oldest was born - 1980. It broke my heart to have to sign a POA authorizing a friend to take him to the states (we were living in Japan) to family.

It is a lifestyle - its not like being a civilian at all. The gov't can and does everything for the GOVT, not for the individual. I sent my child to daycare from the time he was 4 weeks old....we exchanged him on the flightline several times - in Japan you were only allowed one car, so whoever had our son had the car and the other person had a bike!

Please realize BEFORE you sign the papers that this is not at all like civilian nursing.

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This is also going to come across as mean - but for the life of me I can't understand why people even ASK "will I be deployed", especially since we're in the middle of two major combat operations that anyone can find out about just by turning on the evening news.

If that's harsh, I apologize, but I still don't understand it. Sometimes I think I "get it" just because my family has such a long military history, and then other times when I talk to friends who have NO idea about the military I realize that's probably got nothing to do with it.

Again, I'm not trying to be mean - I just wonder.

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Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.

As a parent, part of your application packet is a letter describing your childcare arranges plans and a military document that your designee must sign, in case of deployment. Also, you will not be able to take your child with you to training. And I'm pretty sure you will not want to report to your first duty station with your child until you find a place to live. There will be times of separation no matter what.

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Specializes in ED.

Its either the child or the military. Please make arrangements in advance for your child if youre serious about the military

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I wouldn't say "it's the child or the military". THAT'S a little harsh.

You're required to show proof of "other arrangements" for your children if you're a single parent in the military. One RN I went to COT with (who is at the top of my list of People I Admire) is the single parent of THREE kids.

Guess who got the first deployment orders? Poor girl can't get a break - and yet she's taking it in stride - her kids back her one hundred percent and are all for their mom being Air Force.

I would never say "kid or the military". I would say it takes a particular type of person to do it, but it's not one or the other.

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Specializes in ED.
I wouldn't say "it's the child or the military". THAT'S a little harsh.

You're required to show proof of "other arrangements" for your children if you're a single parent in the military. One RN I went to COT with (who is at the top of my list of People I Admire) is the single parent of THREE kids.

Guess who got the first deployment orders? Poor girl can't get a break - and yet she's taking it in stride - her kids back her one hundred percent and are all for their mom being Air Force.

I would never say "kid or the military". I would say it takes a particular type of person to do it, but it's not one or the other.

from most of my friends, they just couldn't go because of kids. I know there are parents who balance both well and hats off to them. I dont have kids so my statement i know was kind of immature. My apologies to all parents

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from most of my friends, they just couldn't go because of kids. I know there are parents who balance both well and hats off to them. I dont have kids so my statement i know was kind of immature. My apologies to all parents

No, not immature. Maybe misguided somewhat, maybe a bit ingenuous, but I wouldn't say immature.

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