I'm a civilian RN working in an ICU unit, as a new grad, and I'm thinking about joining the military instead of continuing nursing as a civilian. I was once enlisted in the Navy, so I know the military life pretty well, but I have some concerns and questions for any military nurse of any branch of service if you would be so kind as to share your thoughts.
My biggest concern is deployments. I'm not opposed to them at all, but I have a strong opposition to the Iraq war, and deploying there would be dangerous for myself and difficult for my family. This kind of information is often left out by the military nurse recruiters, and I'd really love to hear about the way things really are from those that are living it. Obviously I know military members cannot speak against the Iraq conflict, but I would like to know what your experiences are in your branch of service as far as deployments go.
Also, I haven't seen an awful lot about what the average work week is for most nurses. I'd assume its roughly 40-50 hours per week, but I'd like to hear if those numbers are made easier or more difficult in terms of staffing levels. Where I work there are nearly no Nurse techs or LPNs, so we're often on our own and our work week is quite strenuous. Any thoughts on this as well?
Again, any branch of service I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences. I would greatly appreciate it.
If you are an MSN student what is your Bachelors in? If you are getting an enlisted bonus does that mean you are going enlisted? Or are you on some kind of scholarship? Just curious. Trying to figure out myself what is the best way and where the loop holes are that recruiters do not vocalize.
In my case, I already had a BS in Accounting and worked in industry several years. The ELM programs are created around the nation to bring in prior BS/BA graduates from other degrees to pursue masters in nursing in a shorter program to get a BSN --> MSN after 3 years to supplement the shortage around the nation.
Regarding your question, I believe enlistment bonus means when you sign the dotted line (enlisting) vs the separation of officer vs enlisted. Should apply to all new enlistee's regarding applicable bonus programs.
If you are an MSN student what is your Bachelors in? If you are getting an enlisted bonus does that mean you are going enlisted? Or are you on some kind of scholarship? Just curious. Trying to figure out myself what is the best way and where the loop holes are that recruiters do not vocalize.
Thanks,
Pam
Hello Pam,
I am a Master's entry student, the requirement for entry to this was that I have the core of a BSN complete alongside my current BA. My current BA is in Sociology with a minor in Pscych and my Associate is in Biology/Allied health sciences.
The enlistment bonus is under the Army Nurse Candidate program which is for Junior or Senior level BSN students, (my status is equal for this program as a senior standing BSN Student).
If you are already a nurse there are two programs I know right off the bat about enlistment, one gives you 20K the other 10K bonus yet each has different caps for their loan repayment program.
My recruiter is used to recruiting enlistment and has not had it together. AMEDD contacted me due to a question I posed on the recruting information site and they asked me to cease my application with this recruiter because they had concerns how my application was being handled.
I will be very glad to not need to deal with the recruitment phase. :)
...Army Nurse Candidate program which is for Junior or Senior level BSN students, (my status is equal for this program as a senior standing BSN Student).
hi, did they give an age limit on this? i know my friends just barely missed the cutoff for ROTC. just wondering if we/they can still qualify for this. thanks! :)
At this point I'm very confused as to what it is you are planning?
haha, sorry about that! :imbar nothing is really being solidly "planned" right now -- just doing research..... and asking lots of confuzzling questions! :chair:
So this is more of a ROTC thing versus an enlistment thing? I think I am just going to get the loans and hopefully have someone pay them back after I am done. Hopefully.
Congrats on not having to deal with a recruiter. sounds like you are on your way to getting straight answers, yeah!
hi, did they give an age limit on this? i know my friends just barely missed the cutoff for ROTC. just wondering if we/they can still qualify for this. thanks! :)
Hello,
From what I hear the ANCP, Army nurse candidate program is only for students who are not eligible for ROTC or if their school doesn't have the program.
There is a requirement that they must be able to have 20 year's commision by age 60.
This is a tough call for me. I inguired again with AMEDD if I am still able to go this route since I am 40 right now and will not sit for NCLEX until next year when I am 41. This means I may not be able to go ANCP route. Waiting to hear.
Nurse also, VietNam era. Started additional schooling when I got out on the GI bill. When that ran out, I worked two jobs to finish up my Masters. During this time got married, and had twins, without missing a stop. Ok, maybe one or two. Thank you to everyone here who's served our country, and continues to do so with their careers.
Just finished a deployment to Afghanistan. It was the best nursing year of my life. The Afghan people are remarkable - I could write a book about my experiences with them.
However, if you're not prepared for the harsh life of being in a warzone, being away from your family, the hazards of war, you definitely shouldn't join the military. Deployment is a fact of life in today's Army at least.
Don't make the mistake of joining unless you're 100% sure its for you. I've worked with several Army nurses who were a liability to us in the warzone - --and made things very difficult for those working around them.
Just finished a deployment to Afghanistan. It was the best nursing year of my life. The Afghan people are remarkable - I could write a book about my experiences with them.
However, if you're not prepared for the harsh life of being in a warzone, being away from your family, the hazards of war, you definitely shouldn't join the military. Deployment is a fact of life in today's Army at least.
Don't make the mistake of joining unless you're 100% sure its for you. I've worked with several Army nurses who were a liability to us in the warzone - --and made things very difficult for those working around them.
Hello ArmyMSN,
Very nice to read you.
I am anticipating deployment and am ready to go however I do have questions about being a new nurse graduate. Do you know if they would send me first to work in bedside for experience, (I will be 66H when I go active, if my application packet is approved of course)?
Any advice is appreciated.
I am also really glad to find out about Operation Noble Foster for pets of Military pesonnel so that we can have our pets to come home to as I have three cats, who I know will be just fine while I am gone, and heaven forbid any stray ammo, I will set up a godparent arrangement before I go.
I am also really glad to find out about Operation Noble Foster for pets of Military pesonnel so that we can have our pets to come home to as I have three cats, who I know will be just fine while I am gone
just thought it might be a good idea to post the actual link to the group so that anyone curious or in need could check them out.
You can expect 6-9 months of ward/floor time before deploying, maybe 12 months...but get yourself mentally, physically, and financially/socially ready to deploy. Think ahead of time about whether you'll let the Army store your stuff/furniture, or will you continue to pay rent/utilities for a house/apartment while you're deployed. You'll have to store your car, too, most likely. When I deployed the Army continued to provide my housing allowance, but also paid for my storage, so that was an additional $12k/yr tax free.
Being deployed gives you tax free income anyway. Deployment allows you to save a ton of money. Also there's a $10,000 savings program for 1 year (10% interest) that you can tap into if you desire and have the money.
Re: nursing skills.....learn time management, brush up on IV skills, meds, NG tubes, Chest tubes, and see if you can attend TNCC (Trauma Nurse Core Curriculum) --and ACLS/PALS.....that'll give you the confidence to provide care in the combat support hospitals.
The hours are long on deployments, but you come out a better nurse, in my opinion.
just wondering if we/they can still qualify for this. thanks! :)
NursePamela
330 Posts
Gen,
If you are an MSN student what is your Bachelors in? If you are getting an enlisted bonus does that mean you are going enlisted? Or are you on some kind of scholarship? Just curious. Trying to figure out myself what is the best way and where the loop holes are that recruiters do not vocalize.
Thanks,
Pam