medsurg rn to icu in military??

Specialties MICU

Published

Hi,

I graduated with a BSN in May '09. I have been working in med-surg/oncology floor for a year now. Nurse to pt ration can be as much as 1:6. I should be chemo-certified by the end of this year. I am also starting a part-time seasonal job for Mollen Immunizations. Anyways I'm interested in joining the military (any branch but preferably in the Air Force) ONLY if I get to work in an ICU. If I do join, I would like to go straight to ICU and skip med-surg or step-down. I am not really sure how the process works in the military. Any thoughts/advice???

Thanks in advance.

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Specializes in Critical care & Military.

Hello Ryan,I am currently in the Army working in the ICU. I am not sure how the other services are but in the Army to work in the ICU coming in from the civilian side you would need some sort of ICU experience. All of the military nurses that work in the ICU either have civilian experience as an ICU nurse or went to the Army's Critical Care Nursing Course which is an intense 3 month course which include lectures, presentations and clinicals in various ICUs. From what you telling me it looks like you wont be able to go directly into the ICU without going through the course. To get into the course they (nurse corp) wants you to at least work in a med-surg floor for at least a year. Since you already have experience as a civilian nurse you will be a First Lieutenant and might be able to get into the course faster. You can find out more information herehttp://armynursecorps.amedd.army.mil/

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thanks for the reply. so since i already have 1 yr med-surg experience, can i go directly into the 3 month icu course after training camp or do i need to be in an area with a lower level of care in the military before becoming eligible to sign up for the course? do you pick your area of specialization prior to enlisting, and will they honor that request? how's the icu in military compared to civilian hospital? & i'll be sure to check that site.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Just a heads up, I went to the AF recruiter back in may or june, and I was told that they are not accepting officers until the next year (I'm not sure if said fiscal or calendar year) But yea, I also had plans to go into the AF and be a RN but luckily for me I've been working in ICU for a while now. Good luck with everything, if you hear anything new def let me know

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

You would have to come in the military as a med-surg nurse and then switch to ICU later.

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Specializes in ICU.

CPT_Charlios, I am an RN working in ICU and I have been considering joining the Army Nurse Corps. Can you give me more information on your experience on being in the corps? I would really appreciate it!

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