Deployments in military nursing

Canan · Apr 14, 2006

first of: as a nurse you'd be a Ltn. 1 or 2 (depending on your degree; A.S. or B.S.) and very unlikely in 'theater', more likely in some place like in Kuwait, Saudia, or Germany. And that's "if" since you're in ICU, what do you think it's going to take the average DOD patient to 'reach' ICU in combat medicine :-/ seriously no pun intended?

Your opposition to the war, it is not of matter to the service. Your service is to the forces or any other pts that may come in (sometimes enemy), if you can look at it as a challenge and a test of your "faith" then you should be fine. Believe you me, I'm totally opposed to this 'war', too, and trust me most of the participants will be sooner or later, too (with the exception of the hardcore imbecillies, of course ;-D, but you have to make a decision for yourself. I'm already there! hooha and Good luck!

Corvette Guy · Apr 14, 2006

first of: as a nurse you'd be a Ltn. 1 or 2 (depending on your degree; A.S. or B.S.) and very unlikely in 'theater', more likely in some place like in Kuwait, Saudia, or Germany. And that's "if" since you're in ICU, what do you think it's going to take the average DOD patient to 'reach' ICU in combat medicine :-/ seriously no pun intended?
Your opposition to the war, it is not of matter to the service. Your service is to the forces or any other pts that may come in (sometimes enemy), if you can look at it as a challenge and a test of your "faith" then you should be fine. Believe you me, I'm totally opposed to this 'war', too, and trust me most of the participants will be sooner or later, too (with the exception of the hardcore imbecillies, of course ;-D, but you have to make a decision for yourself. I'm already there! hooha and Good luck!

Canan - May I ask what is your MOS/AOC & what military service?

mistyval · Apr 14, 2006

Was something that Canan said untrue? My suspicion is that you seem to think so. I'd like as much input as possible.

allnurses Guide · Apr 14, 2006

Was something that Canan said untrue? My suspicion is that you seem to think so. I'd like as much input as possible.[/quote
Being an ICU nurse with atleast one year's experience, no matter what your rank, you will be going to one of the high need areas if you are deployed. For the Air Force that is Balad airbase, Kirkuk airbase, or Landstuhl hospital in Germany. Balad and Kirkuk are both in Iraq.
I currently am an active duty Air Force nurse with an ICU identifier.
As far as length of deployments......
Air Force 4-6months
Navy 6 months
Army 1yr(sometimes longer)
One more thing for you here is the link to the Airbases/medical centers in Iraq.....most people have a misconception of what it is like over at the medical centers....http://www.afnews.af.mil/iraq/kirkuk.htm

mistyval · Apr 14, 2006

My question wasn't related to politics, but to the realities that nurses in the military can expect as far as deployment to Iraq and elsewhere. I'm all for treating wounded troops and Iraqi civilians, but the fact that over 2300 Americans haven't come back from that particular deployment means that my questions and concerns ARE directly related to military nursing. Gee whiz, why would I be concerned about deploying there if so many of our people will never be coming back? Nothing to worry about, I guess.

allnurses Guide · Apr 14, 2006

My question wasn't related to politics, but to the realities that nurses in the military can expect as far as deployment to Iraq and elsewhere. I'm all for treating wounded troops and Iraqi civilians, but the fact that over 2300 Americans haven't come back from that particular deployment means that my questions and concerns ARE directly related to military nursing. Gee whiz, why would I be concerned about deploying there if so many of our people will never be coming back? Nothing to worry about, I guess.

My response wasn't so much directed at you as it was Canan....sorry about that.....but as an active duty person it gets a little old hearing from people about the Iraq war, most people make there judgements soley on what is provided by the news media. As an active duty nurse deployed to Iraq you should understand that the majority of the threat is isolated from you...You are prohibited as a medical officer, per the Geneva Convention, from doing security details etc. The military members that are getting killed/injured over there right now are mainly d/t IEDs when they are out doing patrols etc. As a medical officer you will be in a military compound and probably never leave that compound as long as you are in Iraq. I urge you to take a look at the link I sent you to make up your own mind. If you are interested in emailing an Active Duty nurse that is over there I can probably provide a couple of email addresses for you...(Although for the Air Force we are currently just about to switch out nurses over there, so it might take awhile to get a response from them).

The other thing to know is if you are just now looking at getting into the military you probably wouldn't be eligible for deployment for well over a year from now....There is all paperwork involved getting into the military, being accepted by the nurse corps, getting a class date for officer training, going thru officer training, getting to your duty station, unit orientation, and then cleared/spun up for deployment.

Okay enough about that...lol.

As far as working conditions...

In the Air Force we have enlisted medical techs that work with us. For the ICU it is usually one tech for two nurses. The tech will help do vital signs, draw blood, assist the MD w/ procedures, ADLs; in general the techs are similar to LVNs/LPNs but can't give meds in the ICU. The working conditions are very similar to civilian ICUs, but the staffing/work load is generally much better d/t the techs. We work 12hr shifts, rotate every few months from days to nights. The big difference is on our days off we often have to take care of extra duties ( process improvement, medical training, teaching, etc.)

The work week is usually more like 36hrs-60hrs a week. Depending on the volunteer extra duties you do plus the assigned extra duties you have....add about an extra 8-12hrs per week to your normal work schedule. Some people do as little as possible and rarely come in any extra days. Where others do every all sorts of things and are at the hospital all the time.

I hope this helps....

Corvette Guy · Apr 14, 2006

Was something that Canan said untrue? My suspicion is that you seem to think so. I'd like as much input as possible.

mistyval - I asked for his MOS/AOC & what military service not directly related to any particular data he posted. Please, don't read between the lines. You have started an excellent Thread. I just hope the topic can stay on target regards to military nursing issues. You are a Navy Veteran, for which I thank you. However, your feelings towards my CinC & the present Global War on Terrorism is something I will not debate on a public forum d/t my status as a member of the Army Nurse Corps [ANC] . Nothing personal, so please don't take it as such. Like I mentioned, you have the makings of an excellent Thread... as long as we keep it focused on military nursing related issues; CONUS/OCONUS/ICU, etc...

I have yet to be deployed OCONUS since my ANC reserve commission in 2003. On 3/31/06, I did a volunteer transfer over to the Active Component and plan on staying for the 12+ to retire for my 20. So, anything I post would be second hand knowledge regards to OCONUS military nursing. However, I have worked at Brooke Army Medical Center as an Army Nurse for 2 weeks straight on the Stepdown Unit where I cared for Mech Vent patients. Plus, I have worked on the SICU ward on my drill Saturdays as an Army Nurse. I can tell you the AMEDD [Army Medical Dept.] uses LVNs [91WM6] in the ICUs.

I, too, have asked other ANC nurses about the OCONUS military nursing environment. I look forward to other active duty military nurses [all services] replying to your Thread. IMHO, it would be useful if a person would post their MOS/AOC & military affiliation. No need to post present location if OCONUS d/t security issues.

mistyval · Apr 14, 2006

Thank you very much for the responses so far. I'm sorry to have broached the Iraq subject. Whatever feelings I have for the war and the CINC are independent of what I'd like to know about the state of military nursing. Its not about that stuff.

I would greatly appreciate being able to contact some AF nurses, just as long as I wasn't going to be taking away precious email time away from them.

My point in this thread is not "I hate Bush", or the war or anything like that, but I like many other recent nursing graduates am wondering why a person would join the military. This thread is about trying to address the concerns that many of us have.

Thanks for the info, everyone.

Corvette Guy · Apr 14, 2006

My question wasn't related to politics, but to the realities that nurses in the military can expect as far as deployment to Iraq and elsewhere. I'm all for treating wounded troops and Iraqi civilians, but the fact that over 2300 Americans haven't come back from that particular deployment means that my questions and concerns ARE directly related to military nursing. Gee whiz, why would I be concerned about deploying there if so many of our people will never be coming back? Nothing to worry about, I guess.

Did I miss something btwn post 1-5? You sound defensive, why? Wtbcrna's post seemed pretty much what I've heard. The AMEDD CSH Units do come into harms way, especially during Convoy movement. However, for the most part the immediate danger AMEDD personnel face is the IEDs. It is my understanding that most patients cared for by CSH in Iraq are locals, rather than US Armed Forces.

It all depends where your assigned and the mission. Level of medical care provided by the AMEDD in OCONUS, i.e. health care to Soldiers on the battlefield, is set up in a modular medical system; Combat Medic Module, Ambulance Medic Moule, Treatment Squad Module, Area Support Squad Module, Patient Holding Squad Module, Fwd Surgical Team [FST].

The continuum of care is broken down into 5 Levels of Care. Keep in mind the FEBA [Fwd Edge of the Battlefield] is not clearly marked in Iraq, Afganistan, etc.

Level 5 [General Hospital], Army Medical Centers CONUS,

Level 4 [Field Hospitals], Lundstahl Germany,

Level 3 [CSH], Combat Support Hospital which provides hospitalization for patients within the theater [iraq, for example]

* Levels 5-3 have RNs, whereas for the most part levels 1 & 2 are LVNs [91WM6] & Combat Medics [91W], which are similar to EMTs in civilian comparison

Level 1 [Platoon/Troop Movement] care is strictly EMT type care & evac up to the next appropriate & available level of care.

Level 2 Provides medical care to those battalions with organic medical platoons, as well as level 1 & 2 medical treatment on an area support basis to Units w/o organic Health Support assets. The FST is both level 2 & 3.

That was probably far to big of a picture regards to your original inquiry. My point being levels 1 & 2 are in the most harms way and usually [not always] an ANC Officer are more involved in levels 3-5. BTW, I never, ever want anyone to forget the valuable asset & importance of LVNs [91WM6] & EMTs [91W] in the AMEDD. HOOAH!

Trauma Columnist · Apr 14, 2006

Although I am not currently active duty (I am a Navy vet), I think I can address why folks join the military: to serve our country. Its not a political decision (at least for me), it was simply a way to give back to a country that has given me so much. I married while on active duty to another service member and we were stationed overseas in four countries for a total of 9 years. It was a real eye-opener and we must all be aware that many outside our borders envy us. We have the best place to live IMHO.

Corvette Guy · Apr 14, 2006

Thank you very much for the responses so far. I'm sorry to have broached the Iraq subject. Whatever feelings I have for the war and the CINC are independent of what I'd like to know about the state of military nursing. Its not about that stuff.
I would greatly appreciate being able to contact some AF nurses, just as long as I wasn't going to be taking away precious email time away from them.
My point in this thread is not "I hate Bush", or the war or anything like that, but I like many other recent nursing graduates am wondering why a person would join the military. This thread is about trying to address the concerns that many of us have.
Thanks for the info, everyone.

No worries, you have started an excellent Thread.

Hopefully, more AF AD Nurse Officers will join in on the discussion. I can tell you having civilian RN experience [since '98], USAR Nurse Officer experience [since 2003 w/recent transfer to AD on 3/31/06], and experience as a USMC Veteran [AD 1980-1988] there are some advantages to being a military BSN regards to career opportunities & career advancement, training, respect, etc...