Military

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Have any of ya'll ever thought about joining the military as an officer? What was your reasoning for doing it/declining it? What would you say are the pros and cons?

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Specializes in OB/GYN, Med/Surg, Family Practice.

Hello! I don't have a lot of advice about working in the military as a commissioned officer/RN...but I DO work in a military health clinic as a civilian RN and have to say that I would not be a good military nurse. There is SOOO much bureacratic BS, rank structure, enlisted/commissioned soldier issues, the list can go on and on. I'm sure all units, hospitals, clinics are different but I'd imagine it's true that you're always a soldier first, then a nurse. So... what I'm trying to get at is...first know yourself and if you can just be a soldier. If you have a passion to serve our nation, deploy (very likely), and also utilize your nursing education...I think you'd do well. But if you're like me and wouldn't be great with all the bureacratic crap...rank...all of that... then I'd pass on commissioning and stay civilian. You could still work with the military. I hope this was even just a little bit helpful! Everyone has to decide for themselves if the military is for them. I commend EVERYONE who does it, believe me...my husband is a soldier. Just be prepared for a job that requires a lot more of you than just your nursing education.

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Hello! I don't have a lot of advice about working in the military as a commissioned officer/RN...but I DO work in a military health clinic as a civilian RN and have to say that I would not be a good military nurse. There is SOOO much bureacratic BS, rank structure, enlisted/commissioned soldier issues, the list can go on and on. I'm sure all units, hospitals, clinics are different but I'd imagine it's true that you're always a soldier first, then a nurse. So... what I'm trying to get at is...first know yourself and if you can just be a soldier. If you have a passion to serve our nation, deploy (very likely), and also utilize your nursing education...I think you'd do well. But if you're like me and wouldn't be great with all the bureacratic crap...rank...all of that... then I'd pass on commissioning and stay civilian. You could still work with the military. I hope this was even just a little bit helpful! Everyone has to decide for themselves if the military is for them. I commend EVERYONE who does it, believe me...my husband is a soldier. Just be prepared for a job that requires a lot more of you than just your nursing education.

How do you become an RN for the military? That is quite intriguing. Also, if you don't mind me asking, what did you start out making as a civilian RN for the military? I would imagine the benifits were quite comperable as well, no?

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