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 RN: L&D, LPN: Med/Surg, CNA: MedSurg/LTC.
This is a great thread! My husband is in the Marines and I'm thinking of joining the military. I'm planning on becoming a CNM and helping other military wives and their families. I understand that everyone can be deployed but is it mainly ICU nurses that get deployed? Or all no matter what specialty? If so, would they just send me over and have me do general nursing duties cuz I can't imagine why they would need a CNM.
This is a great thread! My husband is in the Marines and I'm thinking of joining the military. I'm planning on becoming a CNM and helping other military wives and their families. I understand that everyone can be deployed but is it mainly ICU nurses that get deployed? Or all no matter what specialty? If so, would they just send me over and have me do general nursing duties cuz I can't imagine why they would need a CNM.
What is a CNM?
Your husband is a Marine [semper Fi!] so are you interested in the Navy Nurse Corps? In the Army Nurse Corps, Med/Surg RNs [66H] deploy just like the CCRNs [66H8A]. The ANC slot most frequently deployed is CRNAs [66F].
Also what exactly is the difference between being an enlisted nurse and an officer nurse?
[Army Nurse Corps] An Army Nurse Corps Officer [66 Branch] is a direct commission BSN, whereas an LVN/LPN [91WM6] is an enlisted nurse Soldier. BTW, for the most part, an active duty 91WM6 with the same number of nursing years experience as a civilian LVN/LPN will usually have more nursing skills D/T broader clinical based practice allowed in the Army Medical Dept. [AMEDD].
Specializes in RN: L&D, LPN: Med/Surg, CNA: MedSurg/LTC.
What is a CNM?
Your husband is a Marine [semper Fi!] so are you interested in the Navy Nurse Corps?
Yes I'm researching both the Navy and the Air Force. The USAF sounds good but I haven't seen much info on the Navy. I'm reading the archives here so hopefully I'll find out more about it.
I am in the process of applying to the ANC, but have not heard anything yet. I am also interested in becoming a CNM. I know the Army offers a generic course guarantee program in which OB/GYN is one of the specialties that is offered and the one that I am going to pursue.
I am in the process of applying to the ANC, but have not heard anything yet. I am also interested in becoming a CNM. I know the Army offers a generic course guarantee program in which OB/GYN is one of the specialties that is offered and the one that I am going to pursue.
Upon my request, my orders for active duty included the Critical Care Nursing Course generic course. You might consider pursuing the same with your Army Health Care Recruiter regards to your attendance in the Ob/Gyn course. The courses are offered at specific times of the year. Below is all I know about the course your interested in. Good luck!
Obstetrical/gynecological Nursing [66G]
The Ob/Gyn Nursing course lasts 16 weeks and is offered at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii. This course prepares you to care for uncomplicated & complicated antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum and gynecological patients.
Specializes in long term care, agency, correctional.
Did I miss something btwn post 1-5? You sound defensive, why? Wtbcrna's post seemed pretty much what I've heard. The AMEDD CSH Units do come into harms way, especially during Convoy movement. However, for the most part the immediate danger AMEDD personnel face is the IEDs. It is my understanding that most patients cared for by CSH in Iraq are locals, rather than US Armed Forces.
It all depends where your assigned and the mission. Level of medical care provided by the AMEDD in OCONUS, i.e. health care to Soldiers on the battlefield, is set up in a modular medical system; Combat Medic Module, Ambulance Medic Moule, Treatment Squad Module, Area Support Squad Module, Patient Holding Squad Module, Fwd Surgical Team [FST].
The continuum of care is broken down into 5 Levels of Care. Keep in mind the FEBA [Fwd Edge of the Battlefield] is not clearly marked in Iraq, Afganistan, etc.
Level 5 [General Hospital], Army Medical Centers CONUS,
Level 4 [Field Hospitals], Lundstahl Germany,
Level 3 [CSH], Combat Support Hospital which provides hospitalization for patients within the theater [iraq, for example]
* Levels 5-3 have RNs, whereas for the most part levels 1 & 2 are LVNs [91WM6] & Combat Medics [91W], which are similar to EMTs in civilian comparison
Level 1 [Platoon/Troop Movement] care is strictly EMT type care & evac up to the next appropriate & available level of care.
Level 2 Provides medical care to those battalions with organic medical platoons, as well as level 1 & 2 medical treatment on an area support basis to Units w/o organic Health Support assets. The FST is both level 2 & 3.
That was probably far to big of a picture regards to your original inquiry. My point being levels 1 & 2 are in the most harms way and usually [not always] an ANC Officer are more involved in levels 3-5. BTW, I never, ever want anyone to forget the valuable asset & importance of LVNs [91WM6] & EMTs [91W] in the AMEDD. HOOAH!
I am a LPN. The MOS I have been offered is 91wm6. So are you saying I will most likely not work in a hospital. Do know of any other military nursing options for me as a LPN?
Corvette Guy
1,505 Posts
Those of you interested in day to day events of an AMEDD Soldier deployed to Iraq w/Combat Support Hospital should watch this HBO Documentary.