Entering Reserve Nursing with young children

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Specializes in Medical Surgical/ step down.

I have always wanted to be in the military and for some unforeseen reasons I was told by a Navy recruiter I would never make it to MEPS and it would be a waste of time. Therefore I never pursued it. My reasons for becoming a nurse shot down in an instant. 

Now 8 years have passed, two children and a husband, + MSN, and 10+ years nursing experience later,  I decided to look into it once more. To my utter surprise I find I am not too old. But now I am curious about Military Nurse life with an already established family. 

This decision was a no brainer when I was 18 and even 22 (when I met my now husband). But now we have children and things are more complicated  in regards to me being away for long periods of time. Which is why the Reserves is where I am aiming for now. 

If you have experience in this please share your stories. 

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

I responded to your other post as well.

I am a current Air Force Reserve RN.  I spent 7 years on active duty before transitioning to the reserves.  The requirements for reserves (and guard too) are the same for all 3 branches: 2 days on a weekend each month plus an additional 2 weeks once per year.  It's a little more than that at first, since you have to attend officer basic training (usually around 8 weeks)...and possibly a few other classes (usually a week or so each) depending on your specific deployment team.

For that, you make about $700-$900 for a 2-day drill.  Any time you go to a class or training you get paid as an active duty RN (About $4000-$6000 per month including all allowances).

Additionally, you can deploy for anywhere from 3-9 months at a time.  In my limited experience with the reserves, deployments for RNs are generally voluntary.  These days it's a lot of COVID support in civilian hospitals.  There's also hurricane and disaster support too. However, there are many other needs too that vary based on world events.

It is very doable with a family.  I don't have kids yet, but I'm in CRNA school right now and they have been very flexible with my intense school requirements.  The key is finding a reserve/guard unit with available RN jobs near your house.  That's why you might look at all 3 branches.  It really sucks to drive hours to only make about $800 for a drill weekend.

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Specializes in Medical Surgical/ step down.

Thank you so much! I have begun my paperwork with the AF since there are a few bases near me. I am not likely to get the one right down the street but maybe an hour or so away. Unfortunately It seems all of the branches say the same thing, they have maybe 1 opening each FY and it goes fast... Active is just not an option for my family and I. 10 years ago I would of signed in a second. 

I will look further into the Army also! 

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Specializes in Hospice.

Non-military here. I remember back in the day, many of my colleagues signed up as reservists and were masssively shocked when they were actually called up for Desert Storm. Unexpected deployment may never affect you … but think seriously about plans A, B and C in the event that it does.

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Specializes in Medical Surgical/ step down.

Thank you, yes. This is one area that weighs on me heavily for the sake of my kids and husband. Even just the training school that is anywhere between 5 weeks and 8, depending on the branch. 

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Im a USN (active duty) vet. I was not a nurse when on active duty. Please, please please don't go into this unless you KNOW you can deploy. The military is not a 3 12's job by anyone's perspective. 

Even the reserves are very very eligible to deploy. 

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On 3/30/2022 at 2:12 PM, Danielle48 said:

Thank you, yes. This is one area that weighs on me heavily for the sake of my kids and husband. Even just the training school that is anywhere between 5 weeks and 8, depending on the branch. 

Don't join on some whimsical longing from years ago. I was in the reserves for 10 years. You can and will deploy. If a little 3-4 week training is nagging at you already, think about 6 months to a year...

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Specializes in Medical Surgical/ step down.

Thank you for your insight. I dated a marine reservist who was in for 8 years and never deployed.... besides the point...This is not some whimsical longing from years ago though. This is a dream of mine since I was a little girl. I became a nurse to be in the Nurses Corps. Along with the other reasons one becomes a nurse. To help those in my community and around the world.

Of course any deployement or time away from my children would weigh on me..... isn't that normal? Any active duty person I have spoke with says it weighs on them also...... Pretty sure if it didn't effect me then there is a problem.

Were you in the Nurses Corps?

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On 5/27/2022 at 5:27 AM, Danielle48 said:

Thank you for your insight. I dated a marine reservist who was in for 8 years and never deployed.... besides the point...This is not some whimsical longing from years ago though. This is a dream of mine since I was a little girl. I became a nurse to be in the Nurses Corps. Along with the other reasons one becomes a nurse. To help those in my community and around the world.

Of course any deployement or time away from my children would weigh on me..... isn't that normal? Any active duty person I have spoke with says it weighs on them also...... Pretty sure if it didn't effect me then there is a problem.

Were you in the Nurses Corps?

Yes, nurse corps. Of course it is normal, just expect you could be away from them for 9-12 months at any given time. Is it super common nowadays? No but definitely possible. Also those missed weekends and Summer weeks for training add up when it comes to family time.

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