Do I pick what kind of nurse i want to be??

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Aug 5, 2009

Hello All:
Well, I am raising my hand to signal that I did not get any of my top 3 choices of my "dream list".....I was offered Korea but I turned it down to go to Fort Bliss, which turned out to be such a blessing (for me!!)
{{representing the 66H Army side of the house}}

And I can't really think of one person who WOULDN'T turn down Korea (LOL!!!). . .unless they were bartering for a better follow-on. Well done, Athena!

athena55, BSN, RN · Aug 7, 2009

And I can't really think of one person who WOULDN'T turn down Korea (LOL!!!). . .unless they were bartering for a better follow-on. Well done, Athena!

OMG Carolinapooh, you made me blush BECAUSE I totally turned down an accompanied tour to Korea r/t the fact I ..... really don't like Korean food. Yes, I agree, I am shallow, but my middle name should be "DFAC", ha ha ha...

teiladay · Aug 7, 2009

Heyy all! I am getting ready to apply for an ROTC scholarship while I finish up my nursing school program and I have a few questions regarding what happens when I first get it.
So I know I will be stationed somewhere and that I can pick three places and will have a good chance of getting stationed at one of the three (right?) but what kind of training will I get that first year? I want to get into critical care nursing but heard it is hard to switch specialties once you are already in - is this true? If so, which branch of the military would be my best option as far as a fast route to critical care nursing goes?

1. Depending on the branch of service, you don't get to pick what type of nursing you want to do until after your 3rd year (Navy), meaning that all newbies (generally speaking) will be a med/surg nurse for several years no matter what. After that, you'll put in for advance schools (usually around the time you've reached the rank of O3). Again, that's generally speaking.

2. New nurses usually will go to the larger facilities, so if there are only 3-5 large facilities CONUS for you to go to, then you getting your pick isn't exactly a long shot. ** This again depends what branch you're going into, as they are each administratively different animals.

3. ** You might want to review the statistics on what branch promotes the fastest in your job (nursing). There are distinct differences. I HIGHLY recommend that you get a spreadsheet printout on the promotion rates, and compare the branches. AF is often pretty darn slow in a lot of jobs. It might not be that big of a deal when you're an O1 waiting for promotion to O2, but it might mean a world of difference between getting paid as an O3 or O4; Additionally, it might mean the difference between a ho-hum assignment, and an exciting one.

4. The military has people stationed in places where most people in the military never would suspect; universities/colleges, shipping ports, single person duty sites, army ships, etc.. never assume that the bases you see depicted on charts/maps and at a recruiters office is all that there is. Most Active Duty folks (to include recruiters) can't tell you all the places you can be stationed even in their own branch of service!

5. Lastly, always check to see if it is beneficial for you to go right in, OR for you to finish an advance degree BEFORE going into the military. Do you homework on "constructive credit" and see if holding off is a better option for you. Often for those who aren't jumping up and down about starting at the bottom rung of the ladder.. constructive credit is a blessing in skipping the grunt work, getting better assignment opportunity, and having a better chance at working in their area of expertise.

Example: Say you want to work Crit. Care with a goal of becoming a CRNA. Is it better to just go into the military as an O1, or better to work as an RN in critical care for several years while working on your masters, then apply to the military CRNA school as a civilian. If you got picked up, you'd come into the mil. with .5 years x your years of work experience + 2 years credit for your advance degree. Which means you'd come in at O2 as a minimum. Work for 4 years, and O3 or O2 promotable, is a reality.

If you got accepted to the CRNA school, then that would be icing on the cake. You'd come in with advance rank + a CRNA, thus having bypassed all the traditional newby work.

Different strokes for different folks, I'm just putting out some options and realities for you to consider

Good luck!

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Aug 8, 2009

OMG Carolinapooh, you made me blush BECAUSE I totally turned down an accompanied tour to Korea r/t the fact I ..... really don't like Korean food. Yes, I agree, I am shallow, but my middle name should be "DFAC", ha ha ha...

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA - more kimchee for me!!! :up: :up::wink2::chuckle:chuckle:chuckle

And you're a bigger woman than I am - I've eaten in an Army DFAC at Camp Bullis...OMG, pass me an MRE...PLEASE...then again, I'm a bit of an Air Force Spoiled Brat, really...

athena55, BSN, RN · Aug 9, 2009

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA - more kimchee for me!!! :up::wink2::chuckle:chuckle:chuckle
And you're a bigger woman than I am - I've eaten in an Army DFAC at Camp Bullis...OMG, pass me an MRE...PLEASE...then again, I'm a bit of an Air Force Spoiled Brat, really...

Let me tell you: When I went to OBC and Camp Bullis I actually gained 5 pounds eating those delish MRE's! Good golly, but my fav's were the sloppy joe and anything chicken. But that was then and this is now. Older and (fingers crossed) a wee bit wiser. Always attempting to maintain my "Army" weight of 144 (I'm 63 inches) so if and when I go to the DFAC I ask that half the serving be removed! Kills me, ha ha ha but then I don't have to go to the Mandatory 5 day/week PT (well, I go but at least it is on my terms:wink2:)

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Aug 12, 2009

Let me tell you: When I went to OBC and Camp Bullis I actually gained 5 pounds eating those delish MRE's! Good golly, but my fav's were the sloppy joe and anything chicken. But that was then and this is now. Older and (fingers crossed) a wee bit wiser. Always attempting to maintain my "Army" weight of 144 (I'm 63 inches) so if and when I go to the DFAC I ask that half the serving be removed! Kills me, ha ha ha but then I don't have to go to the Mandatory 5 day/week PT (well, I go but at least it is on my terms:wink2:)

That's true - MREs will PACK ON THE POUNDS. . .