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.
Hello everyone, I am new to this webstie and I have enjoyed reading all the posts. I went to MEPS on Wednesday and I passed. I will be one of the newest members of the ANC. I am so excited.
my son is a marine - he went from boot to iraq at the start of the war and has been there a total of 3 times since the start and spent most of the last 3 1/2 yrs there. i am for the war. however i respect your right to not be for it :) i will say one thing - anyone who can not be "for war" for whatever reason and follow their commands and duties and do them well ( wether they support it or not) should not join. so you need to think - even though you dont support t - can you and will you follow the command and do your duties to your fullest potential - if the answer is no then dont join. you know its the same with nursing - there are a lot of things i dont believe in ( ike keeping folks alive ina a vegatative state or with no quality of life by tube feeding them for yrs and yrs - but i have to do it cause thats pat of my job and i do it well. ) and seeing as there is a very good likely hood you could and would be called upon to go you have to be firm in your decision. you also have to think of the other things that go woth war - perhaps not so much being a nurse but nurses do go to the front line at times and can you shoot to kill if being attackied. there is a lot for you to consider. good luck in your choice and semper fi.
I appreciate your young Marine's military service.
I appreciate your young Marine's military service.
Marine Veteran here; AD Enlisted 1980-1988
OORAH!
-------------------------------------------
I've noticed that here on Ft. Hood, even while I was AD, why do so many people leave the MC to go Army ?? Just a question...........
When you say MC I gather you mean USMC, as in United States Marine Corps?
My quickest reply is the USMC does not have it's own Medical Department. The Marine Corps falls under the Department of the Navy. Therefore, Marines are provided medical care via the Navy Medical Department. I have a break in service from 1988 to 2003. I was too old to come back into the Marine Corps, yet not too old for the Army Nurse Corps.
Plus, IMHO the USMC has more similarities with the Army than the Navy, except with sea going terminology. I will always be proud to claim the title of USMC Veteran. However, the Army does provide more job opportunities than the USMC.
Hey guys, I saw where wbtcrna said that Army deployments are up to a year. The Health Care recruiter I spoke to told me it would be 90 days "boots on the ground"..No stranger to the fact that a recruiters words aren't the gospel. BTW I am a ICU nurse who starts CRNA school in July. 6years prior service in the Arkansas Army National Guard as a Medic 91B10.
I assume "boots on the ground" could mean they give you some R&R and send you back?
Hey guys, I saw where wbtcrna said that Army deployments are up to a year. The Health Care recruiter I spoke to told me it would be 90 days "boots on the ground"..No stranger to the fact that a recruiters words aren't the gospel. BTW I am a ICU nurse who starts CRNA school in July. 6years prior service in the Arkansas Army National Guard as a Medic 91B10.
I assume "boots on the ground" could mean they give you some R&R and send you back?
thanks
FYI, it is true in the USAR ANC a 66F [CRNA] get mobilized for only 90 days bootson the ground. Boots on the ground [has nothing to do w/R&R, LOL] refers to actual time spent at place of duty, whether that be CONUS, or OCONUS once mobilzed from inactive reserve status to AD status.
The mobilzation period can be much longer than 90 days considering the in-process time at the 66F's inactive reserve unit to gain active duty status. This is why the SRPs are so important. Plus, if I'm not mistaken the time taken to in-process at the place of new assignment does not count towards the 90 days, either.
Then, time is needed back at reserve unit to process out of AD status & back to inactive reserve status. BTW, the 66F ANC Soldier is the most frequently mobilized out of all Reserve ANC Soldiers.
Edit; the above info is related to 66F assigned to a USAH, and not a CSH.
Hey guys, I saw where wbtcrna said that Army deployments are up to a year. The Health Care recruiter I spoke to told me it would be 90 days "boots on the ground"..No stranger to the fact that a recruiters words aren't the gospel. BTW I am a ICU nurse who starts CRNA school in July. 6years prior service in the Arkansas Army National Guard as a Medic 91B10.
I assume "boots on the ground" could mean they give you some R&R and send you back?
thanks
When I went to my interview with the Army CRNA at Ft Polk. He told me that depending on if you are assigned to CASH unit a CRNA's deployment time is either 6mo or 1yr. I don't think any of the services are doing 3month deployments right now. Maybe one of the Army guys know something different???..
When I went to my interview with the Army CRNA at Ft Polk. He told me that depending on if you are assigned to CASH unit a CRNA's deployment time is either 6mo or 1yr. I don't think any of the services are doing 3month deployments right now. Maybe one of the Army guys know something different???..
Thanks so much for your reply. I have to lose about 15lbs before I meet height/weight requirments. Can't pass up the money for school and I also missed military service after I got out.. At the time however, drill weekend did not fit into my school/social schedule. Lot older now and my priorities have changed.
Yeah...yeah...you were just too quick....I had already responded before I seen your post.....lol....
Please, don't misunderstand your response was just as valid w/info regards to CSH.
I went back & made a quick edit to reflect my info was R/T 66F [ANC CRNA] assigned to a USAH. Plus, the Army Reserve Nurse Corps has another option [i forget the specific title] where your not assigned to a CSH, or USAH. This option is designed for ANC Soldiers that do not have residence near a CSH, or USAH. I'd imagine this option would also allow a 66F the 90 days boots on the grd mobilization.
My first posting on this web site...I'm in the US Army Reserve, a Cpt, 66H (med/surg nurse) commissioned in 2001 after 22 years as an enlisted soldier (8 yrs active- including 3 as a military policeman, the rest as a medic; been drilling in a TPU since 1985.) Never yet been deployed, but if it happens- I'm there. I'm not crazy about sand but if my country says I go to the desert-I'm there. To any nurse interested in military service- I say if you love your country serve it. I'm proud to know and serve with some of the best people in the world- my fellow soldiers and members of the ANC. And to all past, present and future military -thank you for time and dedication. Onward and upward...
Corvette Guy
1,505 Posts
Congrats & welcome!