ED RN looking to join the military

Specialties Government

Published

I am just in the researching part now but very interested to read what everyone has to say about Navy vs AF; going to school for CNA; and pay differences, etc! Thanks in advance for your help and guidance!

Specializes in ER, Trauma, US Navy.

Kristy-

To be 100% honest I am not very familiar with the workings of the reserves. What I can tell you is that in the active duty Navy, we can apply for going to school through the Navy after about 4 years of active duty service. It is a competitive program where they accept about 18-21 people a year out of about 50 applicants, competitive. I am going to school through the Navy, called DUINS-Duty Under Instruction, for ER/Trauma CNS/ ERNP. I have been active for 9 years and everything meshed for me to apply. I'm sorry I'm not more help. Keep in mind the reserves are being called up and deployed just as much as active duty. you may not be going outside the country, but you may "backfill" for those that do. There is not "safe" way to be in the military like there used to be. Everybody and everything is being deployed. We're even getting deployed from here in Italy, when we were initially told that we were already forward deployed and that wouldn't happen, it's the needs of the military.

LT Dan

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
Kristy-

I would ask LOTS of questiuons from this recruiter. I believe all three services require a BSN to be a nurse, I could be wrong. Sure they will let you join, but you may end up as a medic, not a nurse. This has happened to more than a couple of my corpsmen. Make absolutely sure you are receiving a commission as an officer for your ADN. Not trying to be a bummer, just make sure your not getting double-talked. It just sounds odd to me. Here's an excerpt from the www.goarmy.com website...

"You must have an associate's degree in nursing or a three-year nursing diploma or a bachelor of science in nursing for the Army Reserve; have a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) from an accredited school of nursing for Active Duty."

So if active duty is what you are looking at, you need a BSN. Good luck.

LT Dan

LT Dan,

Sir, your correct about active duty BSN requirement for the Army Nurse Corps. However, the Army Reserves will accept ADNs into USAR Army Nurse Corps. I was commissioned on 9/25/2003 as 1LT in USAR Army Nurse Corps with ADN. Be advised, in the Army Reserves an Army Nurse Corps Officer must have a BSN to be promotable to MAJ/O-4.

BTW, I earned my BSN 8/13/2004 via RN-BSN program. Therefore, I'm eligible for the Active Component [AC], and will transfer to the AC very soon. I received orders last December for report date of 4/3/2006 for a 3 yr active duty committment.

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WTG Corvette Guy! I hope to follow in your foot steps soon!

And, LT Dan, I understand that I would most likely be deployed. I don't have a problem with that at all and it would actually be an honor. I DO have a problem of being "so close to the action." I would rather be somewhere "relatively safe" caring for those in need.

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
WTG Corvette Guy! I hope to follow in your foot steps soon!

And, LT Dan, I understand that I would most likely be deployed. I don't have a problem with that at all and it would actually be an honor. I DO have a problem of being "so close to the action." I would rather be somewhere "relatively safe" caring for those in need.

KristyEDrn - Check out this Thread... Moving to FT Lewis, WA area

In regards to a problem with being close to the axn, please keep in mind when deployed OCONUS to the Sandbox the traditional lines [Forward Edge of the Battle Area, FEBA] of the battlefield no longer exist. A lot of the Speical Ops training is now based on Urban Battle Tactics. :uhoh21:

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KristyEDrn -

In regards to a problem with being close to the axn, please keep in mind when deployed OCONUS to the Sandbox the traditional lines [Forward Edge of the Battle Area, FEBA] of the battlefield no longer exist. A lot of the Speical Ops training is now based on Urban Battle Tactics. :uhoh21:

Could you please translate that into English :) What is/are Urban Battle Tactics?

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
Could you please translate that into English :) What is/are Urban Battle Tactics?

Urban Warfare

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Specializes in ER, Trauma, US Navy.

I think what he means, is that in wars past there was a definitive front to the battle, where all the shooting occurs. Today's war is much different, there are no "lines" anymore. Unfortunately, in the sandbox, anything goes. You can be 50 miles from the nearest "hotspot," but that doesn't guarantee the shooting won't come to you. Urban Battle Tactics refers to a lot of close contact with the enemy, sometimes hand to hand combat. Does this mean that is what you will be doing, not necessarily. However, if you get deployed to anywhere, expect to be doing nursing with a 9MM or a .45 strapped to your hip, you'll want it there too. I did some training with the Marines and I had to qualify with both the 9MM and the .45, got my marksman ribbon while doing it too. I plan on qualifying on the shotgun and the M-16 later this month. Not trying to scare you, just the reality of what we're up against.

LT Dan

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Well, that is something to think about! Of course, I don't think I would have a problem shooting someone, I just don't want to be the one shot! ;) I love shooting guns, don't have a prob with that at all!

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Specializes in ER, Trauma, US Navy.

Kristy-

I agree, since you and I are both ED nurses, we know the body has a negative reaction to being shot. Oh yeah, forgot to mention, along with the gun you will be wearing a Kevlar vest and helmet to round out the war time nursing ensemble.

LT Dan

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
Kristy-

I agree, since you and I are both ED nurses, we know the body has a negative reaction to being shot. Oh yeah, forgot to mention, along with the gun you will be wearing a Kevlar vest and helmet to round out the war time nursing ensemble.

LT Dan

Gun? LOL, your gun is for fun. :chuckle

Whereas, your weapon of choice, whether that be the M16A2, or M9 pistol is for survival. Furthermore, wearing a projectile-resistant fabric vest & Kevlar composite costructed helmet will certainly enhance one's survival rate while taking a long leisurely walk with ALICE.

Who's Alice? :roll

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I think that the whole "ensemble" (sp?) will be quite flattering! You know what they say about how sexy nurses are... HAR HAR

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Specializes in ER, Trauma, US Navy.

Dam AF guys. My reference to a "gun" is another reason why when in the field, us Navy nurses stick close to the Marines. That way we will come home, with our gun and weapon intact, HA-HA!!

LT Dan

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