Military Nursing Questions Answered

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Hello. I have seen many questions posted about the recruiting, the military, and future military experiences, I wanted to start a Q & A forum where you can ask questions related to the military from someone who is in the military.

- I am NOT a recruiter. I am fellow nurse who wants to inform others so they will be more informed than I was when I joined.

- I have been in the U.S. Navy for almost 3 years now. I have worked in the ICU for the same amount of time. I have also deployed as a Navy Nurse overseas. I am currently pursuing a masters in anesthesia degree.

- I will do my best to answer all questions. I will not lie to you about the military. If the subject is sensitive and possible jeopordize my career I will not answer you publicly about the issue but in a private email response.

Thanks and good luck.

Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

I'm actually AF. Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage, AK. Inpatient Med-Surg.

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Alaska, nice! Do you like it over there? Can't say I've been. I imagine you intend to retire military.

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

Elmo is the warmest of the Alaska bases, and we've had a very mild winter anyways. I haven't figured out if it's going to be my career or not. I don't like med-surg. I didn't like it on the civilian side either. I can't really judge the military until I get to another specialty.

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Ah alright. Hopefully you'll get to transfer to a different department. How long have you been an air force nurse?

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

about 1 year

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Specializes in Critical Care Emergency Military Nursing.

Checking in after a long needed sabbatical. Glad to see so many of my military brothers/sisters picking up where I left. I'm still around if folks have questions. I tried to read through some of the stuff that has been posted, too much to try and catch up on. Lets start anew.

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Were you ever attached to WRNNMC or familiar with the hospital at all? I'm a new nurse reporting there in a few months and very interested in emergency medicine

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

I guess you're talking about Walter-Reed? Never been there. I know it's one of the largest military medical facilities (San Antonio is bigger since the merger). You'll certainly see a lot clinically while you're there that you wouldn't see at other places. Most military hospitals are tiny (

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

I am working part-time at WRNMC while at USUHS, if you questions about WRNMC or the local area I maybe able to answer them. This is my second time being stationed here.

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Great thanks so much! I have been researching the area, so I think I have a decent idea about that. My main questions are about the hospital...

1. Do you know what the new grad program (residency) consists of?

2. What can you tell me about their ED? Is it mostly staffed by military nurses? High acuity? Busy? Patient population? I am a prior Corpsman with ED experience at NAVHOSP Jacksonville, FL, so if you're familiar with that ED, could you compare the two?

3. I am very interested in doing emergency medicine and am really hoping to get there asap. Do you see new grads ever placed there?

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Specializes in ER.

Is there a way I can message you (this website won't let me as I haven't had time to post enough topics, with nursing school and all)? I am former Army looking to go Navy in the next year or so, and I could really use some perspective. Thanks!

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
Great thanks so much! I have been researching the area, so I think I have a decent idea about that. My main questions are about the hospital...

1. Do you know what the new grad program (residency) consists of?

2. What can you tell me about their ED? Is it mostly staffed by military nurses? High acuity? Busy? Patient population? I am a prior Corpsman with ED experience at NAVHOSP Jacksonville, FL, so if you're familiar with that ED, could you compare the two?

3. I am very interested in doing emergency medicine and am really hoping to get there asap. Do you see new grads ever placed there?

I am CRNA, so unfortunately I don't know a lot about the floors at WRNMC.

WRNMC is the referral military hospital for all of D.C. area so you can expect a busy ER there. The last time I was here the ER was mainly military, but that was before the integration several years ago.

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