I love the mass of experience here - both military and nursing.
I love the perspectives we see here every day. I like reading all the posts from all the folks working their behinds off to become members of the greatest military the world has ever seen - regardless of their chosen branch or even their reasons for joining in the first place. I love the way current military members step up to the plate to offer advice, opinions, and experiences, and as one of those who's tried to help folks, I appreciate the kudos and thanks I get for my attempts. And I like seeing everyone else who tries to help receiving the same.
I like that I'm learning about the other branches and how they do business, both before the person joins and after. Knowing where the other person's coming from will be so useful as we move more and more to what they're calling a "purple" medical force (how they get purple out of green, blue, and white I'll never know, I don't see it and I'm not color blind in any sense of the word, but that's what the current buzzword is, so I'll toe it!).
I spend a lot of time here because I like it. I like the camaraderie, the esprit de corps, whatever you want to call it - there's something here that's fundamental and unifying across the branches and while I can't describe it, I see it all over the place. Even if we don't agree and even when the folks here seem to not get along (which is RARE), there's still a mutual respect for what we all do, regardless of branch or rank.
And although I don't know anything about it, I also read the VA posts and see the same sort of thing there.
Specializes in Med/Surg, PCU, Geriatrics, Family Practi.
It's a tiny, tiny Air Force...we'll be standing in a hall one day, and someone will say something, and we'll be like, "you know, you sound just like - PHOENIX, IS THAT YOU??? LADYVIOLA??? MT NURSE!!??? HOW HAVE YOU BEEN!!!" as if we've known each other for years and years....
There will be a party in the house that day!! But seriously it really happens like that. I've been military as a dep. or member my entrie life and I have a ton of those stories. ie: activated from Mesquite, TX as a medic during Desert Storm, sent to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, pulling guard duty one night in the hospital (we were very short staffed so we all pitched in with a variety of duties) and down the hallway comes the night janitor on a zamboni sized floor polisher and we look at each other and viola ~ this guy is from my old unit 8years earlier when we were both on active duty status stationed at Ft Hood, TX. No bullsh** it really happens like that. So be on the look out!!!!
Every time I look at this forum, the lyrics to that Tom Petty song start playing in my head: "The waiting is the hardest part." LOL. I cannot wait until I graduate with my BSN, and the new FY rolls around so I can get my packet in to the Army Nursing Board! Sigh. I know time flies ... especially the older I get.
Specializes in Advanced Practice, Home Care, Med-Surg,.
Every time I look at this forum, the lyrics to that Tom Petty song start playing in my head: "The waiting is the hardest part." LOL. I cannot wait until I graduate with my BSN, and the new FY rolls around so I can get my packet in to the Army Nursing Board! Sigh. I know time flies ... especially the older I get.
Yes, the time will fly more than you realize. I'm down to 4 weeks but I remember at one point I had about 12 months! Now I feel like I need another month(or 2 LOL). Enjoy the time now as you finish your BSN and prepare for the next chapter of your life. In the interim you can start purchasing some of the many uniform items you will need!
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ladyviola
37 Posts
There will be a party in the house that day!! But seriously it really happens like that. I've been military as a dep. or member my entrie life and I have a ton of those stories. ie: activated from Mesquite, TX as a medic during Desert Storm, sent to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, pulling guard duty one night in the hospital (we were very short staffed so we all pitched in with a variety of duties) and down the hallway comes the night janitor on a zamboni sized floor polisher and we look at each other and viola ~ this guy is from my old unit 8years earlier when we were both on active duty status stationed at Ft Hood, TX. No bullsh** it really happens like that. So be on the look out!!!!