should i join the ANC

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I am hoping to get some advice on joining the Army Nurse Corps. I will graduate in May with my BSN, and really like the idea of getting my student loans paid off. Plus, I always kind of wanted to join the military for 3-4 years for the experience it gives. I have an (almost) 3 year old daughter and will be getting a divorce sometime after joining the Army (if it is what I do). I have already talked to a recruiter that assured me I could join active duty as long as I am not divorced yet. But what I am really wanting to know is what it will be like as a single mom as a nurse in the Army. Is this possible or will I have to let my parents or someone raise my child while I do my years in? I wish that I could have done this before having a child or that I was not going to be a single parent, but this is what I have to deal with now. And I am trying to get as much info as possible. Thank you for any help you can give.

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Specializes in Psych, Med Surg, ER.

You will need to have a family care plan in place for someone to take care of your child when you will be deployed. Other family members need to be near by in case you have to go out into the field for training. The military isn't very helpful in that way, they believe that its YOUR responsibility to make sure that your child is cared for. It needs to have backups in place just in case if someone backs out of caring for your child. The other thing you need to make sure of is what kind of custody arragement will u have. It will be hard to be a single mom in the military just like being in the civilian world.

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At this late in the ballgame, I wouldnt count on joining the army this year; maybe next. Read some of the other threads regarding this fiscal year's accessions.

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

Since you are still thinking about the military speak with the AF and Navy to see which of the 3 will be the best fit for you. Even thou I am pro Army, I believe that it is best to obtain information on all 3 before you make your decision. Yes being a single parent can be tough in the military, but it is tough everywhere.

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Specializes in ICU.
At this late in the ballgame, I wouldnt count on joining the army this year; maybe next. Read some of the other threads regarding this fiscal year's accessions.

he's right. I was boarded in Nov 09 and ours was the last group to be taken for the fiscal year of 2010. The earliest that you would be considered/boarded would be around oct '10 for the year 2011. I have no idea what the other branches have open still but with the surge towards the military due to the economy, slots have filled up incredibly fast. Unfortunately, the same is true for the VA hospital (I'm a former employee who was guaranteed a job post nursing school then was told that they couldn't hire me 3 weeks before graduation...the entire VA system is on a hiring freeze practically). I'd look into the Navy & Air Force for information but don't expect to have anything open til the end of next year. Good luck in you're last semester and with your job search!

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Most likely you will be moving to a new place with no family that can care for your child that is close to you. Your kid is 3 years old and it may not be a good time for her/him to not see you for long periods with "strangers/careplan people". So you end up shipping your kid back to your family that you trust. Your kid begins to maybe not know you as much and may become insecure etc. It is hard. There is daycare available for you when you move somewhere just the two of you. During OBC you wont see your kid for like 3 months. You get deployed you wont see your kid for 6 months. Where is your kid going to go? Your ex? Your mom? Your brother/sister... Things to think about. Think about it from your kids point of view.. If you were your kid. What would you want your mom to do? I am being devil's advocate here.. just things to think about.

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Specializes in Advanced Practice, Home Care, Med-Surg,.

What Zombie said is all true. Kids are very resiliant though. The long term benefits for your child and you may outweigh the short term hard ships. It will largely depend on who you have, trust to raise your child in your absence. If you would not want your child raised by someone else for possibly 6+ months or if your don't have someone that can commit to it, then you may need to wait. Best wishes on whatever path you choose! Stick around this board you will learn lots.

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