Deployments in military nursing

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Hello everyone,

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.

Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
Although I am not currently active duty (I am a Navy vet), I think I can address why folks join the military: to serve our country. Its not a political decision (at least for me), it was simply a way to give back to a country that has given me so much. I married while on active duty to another service member and we were stationed overseas in four countries for a total of 9 years. It was a real eye-opener and we must all be aware that many outside our borders envy us. We have the best place to live IMHO.

GO NAVY!

Thank you & yours for providing military service for the GREAT USA!

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

lol......I edited my post....it sounded a little harsh and wasn't the tone I was trying to set.

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
lol......I edited my post....it sounded a little harsh and wasn't the tone I was trying to set.

wtbcrna - Harsh! Are you kidding me? This is the GWOT we are talking about!

warcry6xb.th.jpg

:lol2:

Sorry, I have a very dry sense of humor. Anyway, I always enjoy reading your post, so don't sweat the small stuff. ;)

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
Thank you very much for the responses so far. I'm sorry to have broached the Iraq subject. Whatever feelings I have for the war and the CINC are independent of what I'd like to know about the state of military nursing. Its not about that stuff.

I would greatly appreciate being able to contact some AF nurses, just as long as I wasn't going to be taking away precious email time away from them.

My point in this thread is not "I hate Bush", or the war or anything like that, but I like many other recent nursing graduates am wondering why a person would join the military. This thread is about trying to address the concerns that many of us have.

Thanks for the info, everyone.

No it is not that their is limited email time, but usually everyone is trying to get all their stuff ready to get out of there. I will see if I can get a couple emails to post online for everyone. Actually the living conditions at the medical centers in Iraq for the Air Force are pretty nice. The personell no longer live in tents, have central heat/ac, bx/px, gym, swimming pool (at Balad), Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, multiple dining halls, entertainment room, and most rooms have personal internet access for the people that bring their own laptops.

Part of things you are wanting to know will be addressed during your interview w/ chief nurse/senior nurse. The problem with the recruiters are most of them do not come from medical backgrounds and have very little first hand experience with the medical field. My recruiter's background was aircraft maintenance.

First and foremost, I would look at your longterm career goals and see if they conicide with the military's agenda. For example, if you want to do HIV/Hospice/Cancer nursing the military is not going to be very supportive. Now if you want to do critical care nursing then later go into command and/or advanced practice nursing the military is going to be very supportive, but the military can squash all your professional goals in a heartbeat also.

Hope this helps...

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
No it is not that their is limited email time, but usually everyone is trying to get all their stuff ready to get out of there. I will see if I can get a couple emails to post online for everyone. Actually the living conditions at the medical centers in Iraq for the Air Force are pretty nice. The personell no longer live in tents, have central heat/ac, bx/px, gym, swimming pool (at Balad), Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, multiple dining halls, entertainment room, and most rooms have personal internet access for the people that bring their own laptops.

Part of things you are wanting to know will be addressed during your interview w/ chief nurse/senior nurse. The problem with the recruiters are most of them do not come from medical backgrounds and have very little first hand experience with the medical field. My recruiter's background was aircraft maintenance.

First and foremost, I would look at your longterm career goals and see if they conicide with the military's agenda. For example, if you want to do HIV/Hospice/Cancer nursing the military is not going to be very supportive. Now if you want to do critical care nursing then later go into command and/or advanced practice nursing the military is going to be very supportive, but the military can squash all your professional goals in a heartbeat also.

Hope this helps...

LOL, you AF folks always have the best accommodations. I can remember back to my USMC days regards to such. I was in the USMC Air Wing, btw.

You hit the nail on the head regards to Military Health Care Recruiters. Most have no direct knowledge of military nursing. However, a few AHC Recruiting Stations have a CPT or above from the nursing branch. In fact, after I make CPT I may strongly consider a tour as an AHC Recruiter.

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lol......I edited my post....it sounded a little harsh and wasn't the tone I was trying to set.

I really do appreciate your input...prior to this thread this kind of information was only sporadically available in any of these forums, so it really helps clarify the situation for me.

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First and foremost, I would look at your longterm career goals and see if they conicide with the military's agenda. For example, if you want to do HIV/Hospice/Cancer nursing the military is not going to be very supportive. Now if you want to do critical care nursing then later go into command and/or advanced practice nursing the military is going to be very supportive, but the military can squash all your professional goals in a heartbeat also.

Hope this helps...

That is just what I was wanting to know. I have 20 years nursing experience with the last 10 in oncology. I am currently in a masters program to do CNS w/speciality in oncology. Is this speciality not of use to the Army? I had heard they have onco clinics and actually have a BMT program.

I am considering active duty but would really like to stay in my speciality area. Any comments appreciated.

Thanks,

Julie

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
I really do appreciate your input...prior to this thread this kind of information was only sporadically available in any of these forums, so it really helps clarify the situation for me.

Does this mean your only interested with input from AF nurses?

:uhoh21:

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
That is just what I was wanting to know. I have 20 years nursing experience with the last 10 in oncology. I am currently in a masters program to do CNS w/speciality in oncology. Is this speciality not of use to the Army? I had heard they have onco clinics and actually have a BMT program.

I am considering active duty but would really like to stay in my speciality area. Any comments appreciated.

Thanks,

Julie

Hello Julie,

I'm not AF, but here are the specialties found within the Army Nurse Corps:

  • Advanced Practice Nurse
  • Community Health Nurse
  • Critical Care Nurse
  • CRNA
  • Emergency Room Nurse
  • Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Medical-Surgical Nurse
  • Nurse Anesthetist
  • Nurse Midwife
  • OB/GYN Nurse
  • Operating Room Nurse
  • Perioperative Nurse
  • Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse

Please, go to the website link I provided [see specialties above] and search for AHC Recruiter POC info. The Advanced Practice Nurse specialty might be what you seek. Sorry, that is as close as I can come to your specific inquiry.

Good luck!

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Does this mean your only interested with input from AF nurses?

:uhoh21:

Oh, no, not necessarily. For me the choice between the services is a matter of duty stations. I have 16 years of service left before a 20yr retirement, and if I have to be in the military that long, I'd like to have some nice options as far as duty stations. And the AF seems to be the best there. But I'm very open to all branches as my mind isn't made up yet.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
Does this mean you only interested with input from AF nurses?

:uhoh21:

Yeah....dang Army nurses.....lol. I actually think we are only missing the Navy input.....? Any Navy nurse input??....just for curisoty sake I would like to hear about Navy nurse deployment....are they only doing ship board deployments or are do they have land based deployments over in Iraq also...?

For anyone considering joining the military....look at all the services!! I myself am considering transfering to the Army d/t better opportunities to advance my career/education and promotion prospects.

Each service has a little different "flavor" to it.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
Oh, no, not necessarily. For me the choice between the services is a matter of duty stations. I have 16 years of service left before a 20yr retirement, and if I have to be in the military that long, I'd like to have some nice options as far as duty stations. And the AF seems to be the best there. But I'm very open to all branches as my mind isn't made up yet.

I actually think the Navy has the best duty stations....just an opinion though..

How long have been in ICU as an RN? Where are you looking at to be stationed if/when you come into the military?

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