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.
I was in Iraq for one year with the Army during OIF 1. As a soldier you do whatever needs to be done to accomplish the mission. That includes nurse corps officers pulling guard duty, manning gates, and towers. That includes riding the road like everyone else. Fortunately, in our unit, the nurses were allowed to volunteer for convoys. There were usually the same group that wanted to get out every time to do the sightseeing and the souvenir shopping or just not be around the same place every day, but we were fortunate. I am sure not everyone is given that choice. Fortunately, only a handful of medical personnel have been seriously injured. No deaths from enemy fire that I know of, although some accidents and natural causes.
Sorry, I wasn't paying attention to that first paragraph. I would like to know more about the medical officers doing security details while in Iraq. I know in the Air Force that as a medical officer that is a big no no per what we are taught in COT (our OBC). And Army rules don't overrule geneva convention (otherwise we wouldn't have those soliders convicted of humanitarian violations while in Iraq)....and I am solider first....won't work either...lol
I am not looking for an argument, but the offical reasoning behind these decisions and is this a wide spread things for Army medical officers..? And, does the Army impose certain limitations on this or do the medical officers go out on security patrol too?
I am adding this little excerpt from usmilitary.com about LOAC/geneva conventions. There is always more than one way to do things, but I am interested in how the Army is justifying medical officers standing guard duty.
"Noncombatants. These individuals are not authorized by governmental authority or the LOAC to engage in hostilities. In fact, they do not engage in hostilities. This category includes civilians accompanying the Armed Forces; combatants who are out of combat, such as POWs and the wounded, and certain military personnel who are members of the Armed Forces not authorized to engage in combatant activities, such as medical personnel and chaplains. Noncombatants may not be made the object of direct attack. They may, however, suffer injury or death incident to a direct attack on a military objective without such an attack violating the LOAC, if such attack is on a lawful target by lawful means."
I was in Iraq for one year with the Army during OIF 1. As a soldier you do whatever needs to be done to accomplish the mission. That includes nurse corps officers pulling guard duty, manning gates, and towers. That includes riding the road like everyone else. Fortunately, in our unit, the nurses were allowed to volunteer for convoys. There were usually the same group that wanted to get out every time to do the sightseeing and the souvenir shopping or just not be around the same place every day, but we were fortunate. I am sure not everyone is given that choice. Fortunately, only a handful of medical personnel have been seriously injured. No deaths from enemy fire that I know of, although some accidents and natural causes.
I am not saying it is great or it is awful. Just make an informed decision. The service you join is a significant factor in what you will be doing. There are advantages and disadvantages to each.
The Air Force is good that their deployments are about 4-6 months. What they call deployments, the other services wish they could. The Air Force has some nurses in Iraq, but you have a more likely chance of going to Germany or Qatar. It could also be Kuwait, Turkey, Cuba, Honduras, or other vacation destinations. The disadvantage is that compared to the Army, you will wait forever to get promoted past Captain. The Air Force is also incredibly slow to accomplish things in addressing personnel issues or taking care of their people compared to the Army.
The main disadvantage to the Army is possibly deploying for a year ot more and then having the potential to go right back. It is a lottery. Some people seem like they live there permanantly. Other people have never been deployed yet. You take your chances. Promotions are quick and getting even faster due to so many people leaving. We would joke that the new LT would be the chief of the nurse corps in a few years if they stayed in because they would be the only one left. The Army is also good at taking care of business. Whatever the problem, it is taken care of on the spot. (Probably because you will be deployed tomorrow! Just kidding) They also have a bigger budget for getting the nice things for your work area.
Either way, just make an informed decision before you commit yourself. There are good and bad of everything. One more important thing is that if you serve a day in the Army there own you for life. They have some backdoor programs to involuntarily bring you back after you get out, regardless of how long you served, retired, whatever...
tx-rn-fnp - Sir, what was your MOS/AOC while you served in the AMEDD? I can see a 91WM6 assigned guard duty. Myself, I would not hesitate to stand watch w/M16-A2 as an ANC Officer. However, I would not think an ANC Officer would do firewatch unless w/FST Unit?
I can't speak for TX-RN-FNP, but while I was deployed (also OIF1), the ANCs helped out with all additional duties as well - TCN guard, night AOD, sandbag duty, and whatever miscellaneous duties came up. We actually had a "duty platoon" each day that each ICU/ICW was responsible for sending 2-4 people out for each day. For me it was a nice change of pace to be out doing the various duties, gave me some perspective, and I think it helped build camaraderie especially as the BOG days (and the temperature!) hit the triple digits and kept climbing.
I can't speak for TX-RN-FNP, but while I was deployed (also OIF1), the ANCs helped out with all additional duties as well - TCN guard, night AOD, sandbag duty, and whatever miscellaneous duties came up. We actually had a "duty platoon" each day that each ICU/ICW was responsible for sending 2-4 people out for each day. For me it was a nice change of pace to be out doing the various duties, gave me some perspective, and I think it helped build camaraderie especially as the BOG days (and the temperature!) hit the triple digits and kept climbing.
ANC_Maj
ANC_Maj - Thank you for clarifying, as well as offering validity to what tx-rn-fnp posted. As a company grade ANC officer that has never been OCONUS I certainly cannot post any first-hand related experiences regards to ANC guard duty, etc. I can see Soldier nurses [ANC] performing warrior related task moreso than our counterparts in the AF Nurse Corps.
I do think it would be helpful if allnurses.com members which are presently in the military, or Veterans would state their MOS/AOC, or Branch. Not a matter of doubt but more gives perspective.
Believe you me, I'm totally opposed to this 'war', too, and trust me most of the participants will be sooner or later, too (with the exception of the hardcore imbecillies, of course
Whatever. Guess there are alot of us "imbeciles" out there.
~~Julie in OK~~ (former ANG Flight Nurse, Desert Storm)
I am a medic, (Medical Corps) in the Australian Army Reserve and am yet to go on an overseas operational deployment. During my training I have been taught that I am a soldier first and a medic second. I have spoken to medics and Nursing officers who have deployed and more often than not, they enjoy the experience. I know of Nursing Officers who have commanded clearing patrols around their health facility. This is not necessarily against LOAC, providing security is considered a normal activity. Where LOAC are contravened would be if a Nursing Officer took part in a fighting patrol, in that instance they would lose the protection of the Geneva Accord.
I am half way through my RN degree and plan on going to the "dark side" (becoming an officer) on completion.
I do think it would be helpful if allnurses.com members which are presently in the military, or Veterans would state their MOS/AOC, or Branch. Not a matter of doubt but more gives perspective.
HOOAH!
Good thought on the posting of branch of service, MOS/ANC. Perhaps a new thread should be started.
Whatever. Guess there are alot of us "imbeciles" out there.
~~Julie in OK~~ (former ANG Flight Nurse, Desert Storm)
Count me in as an "imbecile" too I guess. If the definition of imbecile is patriot, proud to serve their country and support the Soldiers, then I guess there are worse things to be!
Count me in as an "imbecile" too I guess. If the definition of imbecile is patriot, proud to serve their country and support the Soldiers, then I guess there are worse things to be!
ANC_Maj
One thing that I've learned since I've been away from the military is that you can be a patriot, support your troops, be proud of service to your country AND oppose abominations like the Iraq war.
Those ideas are not mutually exclusive. I'm sure ANC_Maj you might agree. Just my observation.
One thing that I've learned since I've been away from the military is that you can be a patriot, support your troops, be proud of service to your country AND oppose abominations like the Iraq war.
Mistyval I suggest you not rejoin the military. I don't know how you could be happy there, when you have such strong feelings about the war. It is not going away anytime soon. And it is not an abomination. History will prove you wrong.
Mistyval I suggest you not rejoin the military. I don't know how you could be happy there, when you have such strong feelings about the war. It is not going away anytime soon. And it is not an abomination. History will prove you wrong.
I didn't want this thread to be about this, but I will say that a lot of military people do feel the same way, but they can only say so amongst close friends as opposed to public forums such as this one.
wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA
5,128 Posts