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.
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.
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?
Having been Navy for 4 years I have to both agree and disagree on duty stations. Its personal choice, of course, but at some point you're going to wind up in Norfolk, VA and though San Diego is nice, I wouldn't want to live there. Too expensive, too long to commute, bad air. Nice weather though. The Northwest duty stations like Bremerton, Bangor and Whidbey Island are the best, though, and being in Sigonella was awesome.
I've been in the ICU for all of 2 months, going right there as a new grad from Michigan State. I was originally so committed to joining the AF as an RN that I had taken the physical and everything, but it didn't seem like the right decision. Now, I have learned a bit more about myself in that I know I hate understaffed hospitals, health insurance premiums and bitchy old-timer Rn's. Those aren't the only reasons I'd consider the military, of course.
My step-brother was an Army Ranger deployed in Iraq, and my family had a terrible time worrying about him being there. It just seems cruel for me to follow suit. Now, I figured the best thing to do was to listen to people who actually do the job, from every branch if possible, and not the recruiters, and make the best decision knowing the full reality of what I'm getting into.
The reason I asked, is as an ICU nurse in the Air Force you tend to be very limited on assignments. As an ICU nurse for CONUS your choices are Lackland, Keesler (not a hospital right now d/t a little storm back in August...lol....great fun... everybody should be stuck taking care of ICU pts w/o power), Travis, Wright Patterson, Eglin, and Elmendorf (considered OCONUS). OCONUS Landstuhl and Japan (there are two bases in Japan for the Air Force but I can't remember which one has the small ICU).
I would recommend sticking it out for 6 months where you're at that way you don't have to go thru NTP. You will get 1/2 credit for the time you are a civilian nurse towards your first rank i.e. 6months civilian counts as 3 months off towards your time to make 1LT. Also, if you have atleast 4yrs and one day as enlisted member you will be eligible for prior enlisted pay. The other trick is you also want to swear in as an officer ASAP when you decide to go in....very important! The day you swear in and sign your oath of commission is the date of your rank. Even if you don't go to COT for 3-4 months afterward.
Now (Corvette guy help me out here) here is the promotion breakdown for the Air Force vs. Army.
Air Force 2yrs to 1Lt
2yrs from 1Lt to Captain
8yrs from the time you make Captain to pin on Major.
Army ( I think for Active Duty)
1.5yrs to 1Lt
1.5yrs to Cpt
7 more years from the time you pin on Cpt to pin Major. With a higher promotion rate for Nurse Corps Captains in the Army vs. Air Force.
The Air Force nurse corps has the lowest promotion rate, per percentage, for Major than any other officer in the Air Force....except chaplains. We even promote 2yrs behind the line officers.
Try to talk to a nurse corp officer from each branch about promotions, education, TDYs, normal duties, and assignments. Try to think about your short and long term goals. Then try to match those to the service branch. Don't discount the Navy....life as an officer is often significantly different than that as an enlisted.
The Air Force is definately the most laid back service.....lol
Also, have you considered the Public Health Corps? It is one of the uniformed branches and has the same benefits as the military.
The reason I asked, is as an ICU nurse in the Air Force you tend to be very limited on assignments. As an ICU nurse for CONUS your choices are Lackland, Keesler (not a hospital right now d/t a little storm back in August...lol....great fun... everybody should be stuck taking care of ICU pts w/o power), Travis, Wright Patterson, Eglin, and Elmendorf (considered OCONUS). OCONUS Landstuhl and Japan (there are two bases in Japan for the Air Force but I can't remember which one has the small ICU).
I would recommend sticking it out for 6 months where you're at that way you don't have to go thru NTP. You will get 1/2 credit for the time you are a civilian nurse towards your first rank i.e. 6months civilian counts as 3 months off towards your time to make 1LT. Also, if you have atleast 4yrs and one day as enlisted member you will be eligible for prior enlisted pay. The other trick is you also want to swear in as an officer ASAP when you decide to go in....very important! The day you swear in and sign your oath of commission is the date of your rank. Even if you don't go to COT for 3-4 months afterward.
Now (Corvette guy help me out here) here is the promotion breakdown for the Air Force vs. Army.
Air Force 2yrs to 1Lt
2yrs from 1Lt to Captain
8yrs from the time you make Captain to pin on Major.
Army ( I think for Active Duty)
1.5yrs to 1Lt
1.5yrs to Cpt
7 more years from the time you pin on Cpt to pin Major. With a higher promotion rate for Nurse Corps Captains in the Army vs. Air Force.
The Air Force nurse corps has the lowest promotion rate, per percentage, for Major than any other officer in the Air Force....except chaplains. We even promote 2yrs behind the line officers.
Try to talk to a nurse corp officer from each branch about promotions, education, TDYs, normal duties, and assignments. Try to think about your short and long term goals. Then try to match those to the service branch. Don't discount the Navy....life as an officer is often significantly different than that as an enlisted.
The Air Force is definately the most laid back service.....lol
Also, have you considered the Public Health Corps? It is one of the uniformed branches and has the same benefits as the military.
Hey, I never heard of the PHS...it looks interesting. I can't tell though, is it like the military in that you can get orders to some out of the way Indian Reservation, or do you really get to choose your location? Looks interesting.
I really want to go to Travis, and maybe eventually to Mcchord. Travis would be great for me because there are a lot of horse riding opportunities there, which many places don't have. California is overpopulated, polluted and kind of dangerous sometimes, but I think it would be a good place.
The promotion rates are kind of bothersome for the AF, but the Army worries me more. I just can't shake the feeling that if I did that I'll be filling a coach class seat for Baghdad before too long at all. To me its about duty stations. Fort Lewis/Madigan would be ideal, but I don't know if its worth it. I have seen they do have civilian nurse jobs there, though.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
can't help myself:
go usaf!!!
but seriously, the posts here are wonderful: each branch does have it's unique "flavor" and the op is wise to consider her choices so carefully. good luck in your decisions and future endeavors!
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Ft Lewis is a wonderful assignment for anyone--and Madigan an excellent teaching facility. It would be a great assignment opportunity for any nurse. I am very partial to the Pac NW and have been an inpatient at Madigan more times then I would like to. The care I received was excellent and the nurses ---all of them---very professional.
All I'm going to say is....expect to Deploy, no matter what you're MOS/Identifier is. That's your job. Soldier first, Nurse Second ( or Doctor, or Dentist, or Engineer). My mom retired from the ANC ( after 23 years) she deployed with 3rd ACR, as did myself, and my husband all at the same time. IT happens. That's the nature of the game. If you aren't up for deployments, stay away from the Military.
- ME OIF 1 Vet married to a OIF 1 and 3 Vet, daughter of ANC retiree who missed 8 years of her children's life total during 23 years.
I had mentioned that I was okay with deployments, but I'd just like to get a sense of where to, for how long, and in what conditions. I had also mentioned I was once enlisted in the Navy. Its not like I'm a stranger to deployments, you know?
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Worst case scenario: it could be for in excess of a year to 18 month' duration and you can expect field conditions (tent cities or even more rudimentary) in many cases. I am sure you are aware of that however.....
it would depend on where you deploy to, of course.....
some deployments are more "plush" than others.....
I had mentioned that I was okay with deployments, but I'd just like to get a sense of where to, for how long, and in what conditions. I had also mentioned I was once enlisted in the Navy. Its not like I'm a stranger to deployments, you know?
Pssst...keep in mind some folks don't read an entire Thread before posting a reply.
this paperwork for commisioning is time consuming but i know it will be well worth it. GO ANC!
Corvette Guy
1,505 Posts
HOOAH!