Deploying as a military RN

Published

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?

Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.
Thanks for all the info! I definately wanted the harsh reality. My brother is Army and he deploys for 15 months every other year. My friend is Air Force and has never deployed, as of yet. That is why I wasn't sure were I would be and if it was different for medical staff. I'd hate to join without knowing the true facts. Just to clear it up, I would never think that joining the military I would never be deployed. I really wanted to know how long; 6 months vs 15 months. Thanks everyone for the info!

I work with some RN's & enlisted folks in the Army who have not deployed and others who have multiple times. So you never know what is going to happen.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I can only speak for the Army: but at this point, other soldiers and your peers will want to know why you haven't/didn't deploy; having a slick right side is an oddity nowadays.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in critical care: trauma/oncology/burns.
I can only speak for the Army: but at this point, other soldiers and your peers will want to know why you haven't/didn't deploy; having a slick right side is an oddity nowadays.

Hi

I must agree with Cursed: Being "light on the right" is looked at, and not in a good way.

athena

Up Vote Up Vote ×

As an RN, when you're deployed will you be in combat zones under the threat of fire or practicing healthcare away from combat zones and in bases/forts?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

depends on where you deploy to.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in all.

i read in a few places that certain facilities are 1st 2nd to deploy. What does that mean? If you work at one of the smaller facilities you are less likely to deploy? I thought, for the most part, you are up for deployment based on the band thing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Some may disagree which is of course fine but you have to be honest. You can't perform a job if you are not present. If you interviewed a nurse with a stellar resume who told you how great they were but they couldn't physically be on the job what would you think ? People make hard decisions daily regarding their spouses and children where the military is concerned. You are not parenting them from thousands of miles away. The person WITH them is stepping in for you while you are gone. You still hold the title of mother/father but someone else is performing the job. Many won't like that but only with children do people seem to think you can do an excellent job without even being present. Think hard before making a decision. All the best to our soldiers.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If you join, plan on getting deployed. If that doesn't work with your mindset / lifestyle you should not join the military - period.

v/r

Up Vote Up Vote ×
i read in a few places that certain facilities are 1st 2nd to deploy. What does that mean? If you work at one of the smaller facilities you are less likely to deploy? I thought, for the most part, you are up for deployment based on the band thing.

Anyone know anything about this? I've heard the term as well (actually, in regards to Wilford Hall as a 'first to deploy') but I'm not one hundred percent sure of what it means.

I have to go to work tomorrow; I'll ask my boss. I'm wondering if it has to do with the number of people each facility has assigned to each band. My guess is big places like Wilford Hall have more people assigned to each expeditionary force because obviously we have more people. So I wonder if a big place like us sends their part of the band first? I really have no idea - I'll ask my colonel tomorrow.

Meanwhile, where's wtb or Little Greek? I bet they know!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Anesthesia.
If you join, plan on getting deployed. If that doesn't work with your mindset / lifestyle you should not join the military - period.

v/r

I just finished up an appy....so that is where I have been.....:lol2:

There are high deployment bases and they are specifically manned for it. WH, Keesler, and maybe WPAFB are all considered high deployment bases and at least in the anesthesia departments are manned at 120% vs. 100%. Statistically each base is supposed to give up the same % of medical persons. Does it always work that way? No, but that is how it is supposed to work.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm at the beginning of the process (commissioning as an RN), but I have been researching the bases I put on my wish list. Travis AFB is my first choice, and I read on their website that it has a very high deployment rate. I look forward to deploying someday as I think it will be a valuable experience that I could never get in the civilian world. And I will be proud to serve my country as well. :) I will be a brand new nurse, and I am told that they don't deploy right away. Does anyone know if this is true? I know I have to complete NTP first for sure. My recruiter told me that they like to make sure that a new nurse gets 1-2 yrs experience before deploying. I'm okay with either possibility, just curious.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Onc, Med/Surg, Stepdown, ICU.

You're pretty much "deployable" right away, but it's not likely they're going to take a brand new nurse and set you free in the sandbox right out of NTP. When it comes to deployment, anything can happen! Once you get to your base, you'll be placed in a deployment band. Basically, you'll have a 6 month period where you could be called to go at any time. Then you have an 18 month "break" when you're supposed to be home. I was placed in a band that's set to go Jan 2012ish. My UTC manager wanted me to get my feet wet in the Air Force and in the ICU. If some natural disaster happened and we were tasked to do humanitarian aid, it's possible to have to go outside of your deployment band. You just never know!! Hope that helps.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion