How did you choose your nursing branch? Army, Navy, AF?

rndiver82 · Mar 28, 2013

Hi everyone,
Sorry if this has been posted already but, I'm very interested in joining the military as a nurse when I graduate with my BSN. I have spoken with the Navy recruiter already and have heard great things! I haven't been able to get in touch with the Air Force or Army recruiters yet! My question is, for those that are already in the military as a nurse, how did you choose the branch that you went into? I'm having a hard time choosing which branch would be the best fit for me and the recruiters all seem to make their branch sound amazing!
Any thoughts you have are appreciated on what you have experienced and any advice on how to choose for myself!
Thank you!

Hey there!

I'm Active Duty in the Air Force. I chose my branch because I have multiple family members who have served in all branches of the military, the Air Force being the most predominant. So I'm used to the AF culture (extremely family friendly) and absolutely love my job. The AF is also the last branch to take new grad RNs who have no clinical experience. When I commissioned, the Army wouldn't even talk with me when they found out I didn't have 2yrs experience with my BSN, despite 7yrs of nursing experience, and the Navy was the same, though they only wanted 90 days BSN experience.

I wouldn't change my decision to go AF for the world. I love the fact that I get the opportunity to care for veterans and the wounded warriors that pass through my ER.