Military Nursing Experience a PLUS?

BChach · Mar 1, 2008

I was thinking about doing something similar, but to the Army Nurse Corp, so any information would be appreciated.

DanznRN, RN · Mar 1, 2008

I joined the Navy directly from my BSN as well, been in for 10+ now. I did get out in 2002 for 11 months and I think my experiences helped me on the outside. Think of it this way, being a civilian and then trying to "fight" your way into a particular unit could take 3-5 years, you have no experience out of school. So unless you find a hospital with some type of program you most new nurses get a med-surg job first. In the Navy you normally work about 1 year on a med-surg floor and then you can start to branch out into the specialties. Don't forget about any possible combat/ trauma training you get as well. For me when I got out in 2002, I walked away from the Navy with 3 years ED experience and 2 year ICU, not too much ACLS, BLS, PALS, TNCC, ABLS, all paid for by the Navy. So to me it was a good deal. Then after 11 months I came back in and I'm staying this time.

LCDR Dan

ptjones68 · Mar 1, 2008

Good information. A few questions for you though.

Did you have a problem finding a job right away when you came out after 5 years. What made you decide to go back into the military?

What makes you want to stay in?

Thanks much

Paul

ptjones68 · Mar 1, 2008

Yeah, the Army nurse corps was tempting because of the $139,000 loan repayment. However, since I was already in the Army enlisted for 3 years right after highschool, I decided that I prefered a quality of life in the Air Force or Navy, vs. the Army owning me.

Don't get me wrong, Army can be a great opportunity. There is a price to pay for them paying back $139,000 in loans. But, if I was younger, I'd probably do Army.

Now that I'm 40, I prefer quality of life.

Good luck to you.

DanznRN, RN · Mar 2, 2008

Paul-

Nope, no problem getting a job right from the Navy. I left the Navy on SEP 30 and started my new job OCT 2. I was a Regional Clinical Educator for a long-term care company. I was responsible for the education of 450 nurses in 13 long-term care facilities, was a cool job. Worked out of my house, expense account, blah, blah... Why did I come back? Well for me, it's about being involved in something bigger than just me. I'm not a bleeding heart, chest pounding patriot, I just get a different sense of purpose in the Navy. When I'm in the service everyone around me is trying to achieve the same goal and I like being a part of that. When I was a civilian, it was all about "what's in it for me?" That just didn't sit right with me after 5 years in the Navy, so I came back, wasn't easy either, took 9 months. What keeps me in? Basically the same stuff and the fact that when I make a decision in the Navy I can see the effects. Even as a staff nurse you have the ability to make change and improve things. I'm a Division Officer now, so my decisions have even bigger effects. As stressful as it may be, I like getting up every morning and going to work. At the end of the day I leave with a smile on my face, no matter what has happened. If you want more I got more to tell, this are the basics.

LCDR Dan

PsychNPCNS · May 4, 2008

Yeah, the Army nurse corps was tempting because of the $139,000 loan repayment. However, since I was already in the Army enlisted for 3 years right after highschool, I decided that I prefered a quality of life in the Air Force or Navy, vs. the Army owning me.
Don't get me wrong, Army can be a great opportunity. There is a price to pay for them paying back $139,000 in loans. But, if I was younger, I'd probably do Army.
Now that I'm 40, I prefer quality of life.
Good luck to you.

Hi Ptjones..

Can you elaborate on this? I'm considering joining the reserves and am over 50. What is it about the Navy and Air Force that is an improvement on quality of life vs. the Army?

Thanks so much