Dual-Military Army Nurses

[db97]

I am just curious about the experinces of any Nurse-Nurse marriages? My fiance and I who are both Juniors in our nursing program are thinking about both joining the Army. We plain to marry before we graduate school so, in essence we will be married before we start any military duty. Our biggest fear is being split up. We both realize that it is a possibility, but we don't want to have to be away from each other for very extended periods of time if it is avoidable. So what have some of your all experinces been?

[Wisconsinbee]

My husband and I are Army dual military, so I know of what I speak.

If you are married when you join, you can enroll in the Army Married Couples Program. The medical recruiter should be able to help you with it. You each have to do one form, it's real easy. Those I know in the program, especially when in the same branch (ie both nurses, lawyers etc), have not had problems getting assignments together. But, as always, it's needs of the Army first and foremost. In my experiences, both personal and friends, the branch managers do try to keep spouses together because that makes people happy and they are more likely to stay in the Army.

As for being separated for long periods, it's possible, so make sure you can deal with it. The good news for you guys as nurses is that the regulation has recently been changed so that nurses deploy for 6 month rotations. Of course there are exceptions, like if you're a brigade nurse, but if you're with a combat support hospital it's only 6 months. Hope that helps!

[db97]

Thank you very much. That's what I was hoping. We both still are really keeping our options open as far as what we want to do civilian or military though I personally am leaning more towards military, but i cannot speak for her.

On and unrelated note. What kind of patient loads are nurse's in the Army and all of the military experiencing? I've heard that most nurses are working 3-4 12hr shifts a week is this about right? What about when on deployment? I know many of these questions may have been answered elsewhere but I haven't stumbled across them yet.

Thanks