Is Nursing in the Military my calling...?

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  1. Which branch is the most beneficial for Nurses?

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Hello everyone!!

I would love to chat with you about what it is like as a Nurse in the Military. I am an RN BSN, have been an RN close to 8 years now, have experience in ER (its a bit dated 2005-2008) OB nursing (LD, PP, M/B, Nursery, scrubbed and circulated our own surgical cases for cesarean sections and tubal ligations etc) recovered our own patients after surgery, also have experience in Case Management, IV team, did some clinic type work, health fairs, Did OB homecare. The 3 years I have been working as a consultant in the medical device, and healthcare technology/ informatics industry.

As you can ascertain (lol )I have many and varied interests and tend to get bored easily. I have periodically thought of the Military throughout the years. I crave to be apart of something fulfilling and to be an integral part of a team, I crave leadership and to also lead, I crave professionalism and camaraderie, I want to see the world, I want to give.

The bulk of my experience is OB nursing, do you see that as a need in the Military? (I am also interested in Public Health Nursing, and Mental Health Nursing). Also I live in Indianapolis IN, own a home, have a 14 year old son, and pets....these are the things that cause worry or hesitation from joining, What do you all think? I really am wanting to sell my home and relocate south as I hate winter! What bases could I work at as an OB Nurse and with which branch? Somewhere in florida perhaps ;)

I really want to know what its like as a nurse in the military and would love it if I could chat with someone. I am open to any branch of the Military and would love to hear from all branches or opinions on branches. I am currently leaning toward the Air Force. The humanitarian trips the Navy has also appeals to me greatly....

I crave leadership, but am also really independent and crave the freedom to explore, also like the security of being a part of something larger than myself. It also seems that I would be able to learn SO MUCH, and get to do WAY MORE in the military, also have thought of the whole NP route.

I would also love it if anyone could tell me about:

-pay and benefits (quantitative and qualitative!)

-the adventures you have had

-places you have seen

-defining moments...etc

Also I would love to speak to any health care recruiters!! I am having trouble finding you!

I appreciate your help!!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

All of this is written from an Army nurse perspective ... I can't compare the other services because I'm not in them. :) Given the Army's rapid rate of reproduction, I'm sure there is a need for OB nurses. LOL. I don't know much about OB slots -- I came in as an ER nurse, and that's where I am. Given your experience, you would come in as a 1LT and probably promote to CPT faster than most.

I posted some links in this thread that will help you locate/contact recruiters: https://allnurses.com/government-military-nursing/basic-information-military-647549.html

Be patient. Healthcare recruiters are stretched thin, covering large territories. They are also overrun with people looking for work! The military is very competitive now, especially in times of the money-crunch and drawdown. Application and selection takes a long, long time. But it's worth it, in my opinion.

You can find information about military pay rates by Googling "military pay," you'll see pages like this: Pay Tables

As an officer, you will receive base pay and a housing allowance, among other benefits. We used to get $4500 in tuition reimbursement per year, but that was just suspended. One important point (and you touched on this) -- Army Nurse Corps officers are expected to be leaders as well as clinically competent. When we get our annual evaluations, we are rated on our leadership, not necessarily our clinical acumen. You do give up some of your personal freedom to put on the green suit, but if you can make your peace with that, it's not a bad gig. Good luck!

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The advent of the tri-service medical corps can't come quick enough; if only to eliminate the "which branch is better" questions.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
The advent of the tri-service medical corps can't come quick enough; if only to eliminate the "which branch is better" questions.

Do you really think that will happen in the next few years? Or when? I think it would be a good thing, too.

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The Army needs L&D nurses but not OB. Med-Surg nurses can work antepartum/mbu/OB surgical floors in the Army. The AOC 66G is the identifier for the specialty of OB specifically LnD.

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Hi All,

I appreciate all the answers so thus far...

Can anyone else share please?

pay and benefits (quantitative and qualitative!)

-the adventures you have had

-places you have seen

-defining moments...etc

My dream is to live in Hawaii, serving Military families as a Labor and Delivery Nurse, working in Womens Health or Public health!

How can I accomplish this dream?

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