Dream=Serving Military Families, L&D Nurse/Womens or Public Health nursing in HAWAII

Enthused RN, BSN, RN · Mar 30, 2013

I'd say start talking to recruiters from all branches if you're serious about this, but for Hawaii I think it's just the Navy that stations there (anyone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong on that). Also, given the current draw-down, it is very competitive to get a slot in any of the branches. I'd start talking to recruiters to get the ball rolling. It's a very long process. Good luck!

zoe92 · Mar 30, 2013

I agree with Enthused_Nurse2B. To make it a reality, you should meet with a recruiter & not just post on allnurses. Although there are many helpful military nurses on here, a recruiter will be able to answer your questions & be able to talk about your specific situation. You may not want to be too set on that dream of living in Hawaii... the military will put you where they need you first & foremost.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Mar 31, 2013

The Army has a hospital in Honolulu - Tripler Army Hospital. I posted a link to a post with recruiter information in my other response to you. But if you are wanting to live in a specific location, the military may not be your best bet - no location is guaranteed, you serve the needs of the military, not vice-versa. You might try looking for civilian nursing jobs in Hawaii on usajobs.gov. Good luck!

Teetah · Apr 6, 2013

I am currently living in Hawaii. We have Army (Schofield Barracks/Wheeler Air Field), Navy (Pearl Harbor), Air Force (Hickam), and Marines (Kaneohe). I am also currently trying to get into the military after I graduate from nursing school. I graduate in May 2015 and so far the Air Force has told me I'm too far in my degree for ROTC, and I'm not quite far enough to apply for commissioned officer training (must be within 12 months of graduation), I've also been trying to contact the Navy Medical recruiter here, but he was on leave for a long time then finally responded to my email asking me to set up an appointment with him. I tried emailing him back 4 times and even called him. He hasn't responded back to my other emails, even the one he told me to send him after I called him. I have a 3.97 GPA and meet all other qualifications, so I'm not sure what the deal is with him not returning my calls or emails, but he did say that they have 70 spots open NATIONWIDE for their nurse candidate program, which is for students currently within 24 months of graduation, but the next time they will look at applications is October (from what I understand). Don't know if any of this was helpful to you, but if you're in nursing school, the two branches that I've mentioned are the ones I've had contact with. I haven't spoken with any one from the Army, and the Marines use Navy medical officers.

NBerry · Dec 4, 2013

I want to go back into the Army so bad. I'm just starting my second year of nursing school and was a medic in the Army a few years ago. I really miss it, the hospitals are generally awesome! I work as a tech in a local ER right now and when I was at BAMC in San Antonio (the Army hospital) it was so much more impressive. I like the hospital that I'm at but we are constantly running out of leads, our stretcher mattresses are torn and it's just not the same. I'm not saying that every military hospital or clinic is amazing but when comparing the two, I prefer the military hospitals. The pay is also better than a new grad in the civilian hospitals. Not to mention your insurance is covered, you have the opportunity for advancement sooner (may mean you have to move but whatever), and the military is a great community on it's own. For the Army though you cannot commission as a nurse until you have 2 years of experience (for the reserves it's only 6 months). I'm not really sure why this is but it stinks. lol I'll probably just stay at the ER here and get some good experience and then commission. Good luck everyone!!!

SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN · Dec 5, 2013

Lunah offers very sage advice, as usual. Civilian nursing may be your best bet if you want to remain in Hawaii for any considerable length of time.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Dec 5, 2013

The pay is also better than a new grad in the civilian hospitals.

Not true everywhere ... I took a pay cut when I commissioned as a 2LT, and that was with only three years of experience. 2LT pay is not as good as what I started at as a civilian new grad, even with BAH. The only almost-equalizer was my ISP bonus for being a certified ER nurse. However, depending on how much Army experience you have, if you are paid as an O-1E, it's probably more than a new grad would make.

The reason that the Army wants experienced nurses is because they don't have a need for new grads right now. New grads cost a lot of money to train, and our gov't is broke! The Nurse Corps is overstrength, so there are parameters in place to ensure the Army gets the most bang for its buck, i.e., nurses who are pretty much ready to hit the ground running.

Dranger · Dec 5, 2013

M new grad pay was better than a 2LT, it's the non taxable BAH/BAS which rocks

Enthused RN, BSN, RN · Dec 5, 2013

The Guard (National Guard) is still taking new grads. Not sure if that will change anytime soon. Of course you should still have a civilian job since the Guard is not full-time, year round.

NBerry · Dec 5, 2013

I'm sure it's not the same for everyone but in my situation, the ER offers new grads $19/ hr and then when you take into account student loan payments and health/ dental/ life insurance (not to mention BAH with a family and BAS and prior time in service) it definitely beats $19/ hr. I can understand the Army's fiscal reasoning for the 2 years of experience but it's unfortunate because I think I would learn so much more doing a residency at one of the larger Army hospitals. The good news is that the two years will give me time for national certification so I won't have to start out in MedSurg. Nothing against it, it's just not what I want to do in the long run.