Military CRNA Daily Life

allnurses Guide · Nov 12, 2018

90%+ of being a military CRNA isn't much different than being a civilian CRNA with full scope of practice. USAF deployment cycle is 6 months with 12 months in between. It varies greatly depending on manning and if you are trained in special areas such as special operations or helicopter medical transport.

Generally, anywhere you are deployed with the military you will have WiFi access and will be able to talk to your family on a regular basis. Each family deals with it in different ways. Some families will move back with their parents while their spouses are deployed, Ive seen some parents come live with them and help with the children, but the most common is people just deal with the deployments in the best way they can and use military support networks that are in place.

The military is more like and extended family than just a job where you work.

Grutherford4 · Nov 12, 2018

Are there assignments that allow family to relocate with you?

allnurses Guide · Nov 13, 2018

Are there assignments that allow family to relocate with you?

Deployments, TDYs, and remote assignments your family stays at your base/last base you're assigned to, but all normal duty assignments your family is assigned/goes with you.

Trauma Columnist · Nov 13, 2018

Although not a CRNA, I was active duty in the USN, my husband served 23 years in the USAF. I can speak to being a military spouse:

1. Talk over your decision with your spouse. Once you sign the papers some decisions will not be yours to make.

2. Ensure your spouse knows where everything is: your SSN, your unit, etc.. (spouse may not always be aware of WHERE you are if deployed)

3. Spouse must be independent. Keep records for your bank accts, retirement accts, car records, wills, powers of attorney

4. Make sure all your military records are always kept up to date with who to contact in case of emergency, where they live, accurate phone numbers

5. Again, I can't emphasize enough that the spouse must be independent, able to work, run a household and take care of any situation that comes up solo

6. Healthcare is not always readily availabler if your spouse or children require specialized care. We were for the many years overseas and one of our children at the time required specialized care - we were sent from Spain to Germany for this. It was timely and adequate but it left the military member in Spain with child care issues as he was a rotating shift worker.

It still was the best decision I've ever made but came with some situations that civilian spouses don't have to face:

1. Death of family members without your spouses support - he was deployed and couldn't get home in time

2. Illness of children - child in ICU and again spouse has to make all care decisions

3. Household emergencies that as the spouse you must handle.

Its not a decision to be taken lightly. Talk it over with spouse and talk with others that are active duty. I was not a nurse nor was my husband and overseas assignments vary considerably - some places (think Korea) do not care for Americans. We had some dicey issues there - it was an accompanied tour (meaning families could go) and the locals don't always like the US military presence.

We made some fantastic friends though and you do have the camaraderie that doesn't seem to exist in our fast-paced world. While stationed overseas, especially if you live "on the economy" or off-base you quickly learn who the other Americans are and where they hang out.

Best wishes for your decision.