In Search of Advice on Nurse Corps Accessions...Branch vs. Branch

[CCNP-FL]

Hello All:

I'm a critical care nurse on the civilian side and a ARNG officer stuck in a personnel slot (Adjutant General Corps). After waiting 18-months for my state to have an open ANC slot, I have decided to look into active duty opportunities.

For a little background, I started out as an E-3, worked as a Cadet at my unit, and am now assigned as the S1 (have been for about 4-years, 2 prior to commissioning). I'm scheduled to go to AG BOLC next month, but am still holding out hope for an ANC slot in the near future (at this point) in any component, active or otherwise.

Currently, I have a packet in to the active Army component, but wanted to also explore other branches. Any advice is appreciated, but I am really looking for some guidance about branch choices and contrasting the experiences of nurses in other places in the DoD sphere. I know this sounds naive and perhaps foolish, but I joined to take care of Soldiers in-harms way, and I feel stuck behind a desk.

At any rate, sorry for the vent/rant...any advice and insight into the other active component branches would be appreciated in regards to really anything you'd like to share.

Thanks!

[ajb50402]

Totally feel for ya.

As army nurses you're really stuck in a hospital and you don't get to do the high speed low drag stuff until you reach captain in your career as a nurse. there are several positions nurses can have, including SORT, the FST's, and also brigade combat teams nurses, as well as the CSH positions. In regards to other types of units, its really up to you in what you like. My recommendation is go shadow some units you're interested in. And also, if you want to take care of soldiers, consider going into one of the National Guard SF forward support companies (Utah and Nebraska have 'em) or trying to become an SF team leader. special forces weekend warrior. Hope this helps.

Just keep in mind, you're an officer. and officers do a lot of paperwork.

-LT Blair