Military/VA RN's - Please post experiences for Students

caffeinism · Nov 29, 2004

Thank you mwbeah and kaizenro for taking time and sharing your experiences with myself and this thread.

I graduate my ADN program this spring. If I decide to join the service it would also mean getting my BSN, which will be nice to accomplish.

I will be contacting recruiters soon, and if you can think of any service specific questions I should ask the recruiter, it would be great to hear them. I wonder if after talking to the different branchs, I will find them similar in nature and the decision coming down to which uniform I want to put on. I was active duty (enlisted) in the Navy for four years, so there is a bit of pull to continuing down that salty path.:) Thank You, Mike

kaizenro · Nov 29, 2004

I was active duty (enlisted) in the Navy for four years, so there is a bit of pull to continuing down that salty path.:) Thank You, Mike

You know by having 4 yrs prior service you'd come in as O-1E, that's almost equal to O-3 pay! Also, the Nursing Bonus is up from $10k to $15k! Go to Navy.com and look up the programs. It still says $10k but someone forwarded me the new instruction.

I'm seriously considering going that route too. You using GI Bill too right?

OT: You know the uniforms are going to be revamped right?

dolphinRN · Nov 29, 2004

I am very happy with my full time SICU position at WHC but I have always wanted to volunteer a shift a week or so at the VA because my father was a Vietnam vet. I think I tried calling just last Friday here in D.C. and the guy told me that they were overwhelmed with volunteers and that they didn't use nurses as volunteers. Do you know if there's any way around that? I don't think they'd hire me for just a shift a week or less, would they?

Our VA does hire intermittent nurses, which is just a technical name for part time. They also offer fee basis, which is a type of contract specifically to that hospital. I would check with the nurse recruiter there to see if they have any of these to offer. If there's a need, I'm sure they will be willing to give you the information

eugenia · Jan 14, 2005

Hi,calimarinewife, I work at the SD VA it's a pretty nice place to work and there are plenty of positions for LVNs. You should contact the nurse recuiter and have her send you a application packet sometimes it may take a while to get a response, but just continue to follow on your application status. Good Luck.:wink2:

I am due to graduate from my LVN program in 2 weeks and REALLY want to work at the VA. One of our clinical rotations was at the VA here in San Diego, but unfortunatley not all the students in the class were able to go there, so I was not able to visit that site. My husband is active duty and I would enjoy and value working with the Veterans. If anyone could give me advice on how to go about applying and also if there are any posotions that are available in the time that I graduate school, until I pass boards and get my license (volunteering, nurses aid etc.)... it would be gratly appreciated. TIA.

IVyPush-her · Feb 5, 2005

I would like to help our student nurses recognize the value of entering into military service or working for the VA system. To do this, I would ask all of our members that are military or VA employed to lend your experience here. Please take a moment to post information for our students that you might think is helpful for them.
Would love to see information about dealing with recruiters (military ... that is) and how to effectively negotiate with them. Would like to see information posted about experiences that you have and any recommendations you have about entering military nursing or the VA system. THe VA can be a difficult place to navigate and any information on how to get into the VA would be helpful also.
We have many students that monitor this thread and I think this information would be very helpful to them.
Also, for the students reading this thread, please feel free to add your questions. We have many experienced military and VA nurses that view this thread and I am sure they are willing to help answer your questions.
I will make the thread a sticky in the hopes that it does become popular. Thanks for your help.

Hi

I graduate this June with my BSN. I am seriously considering joining the Navy. I have been told that I would be at either a hospital in San Diego, VA or Maryland. My pick would be San Diego.

I am scheduled to fly out next month with my recruiter to visit the hospital in San Diego. I want to talk to other new grads or nurses that will share their experiences.

I am not worried about being sent to any location, unless it's Iceland. I can handle anywhere else. But, how often is it that you do get your 1 choice location? My husband believes it does not happen to often.

My main issue. I am in an OR internship. Well it is something like an internship. I pay extra to get the OR training. I am not guaranteed a job at this particular facility. Anyways, I am told that I would have to work the floor for several years. I guess I am ok with that. Has anyone ever come across this? Now I am being told that I could get into the PACU in a year or so. So, after I do my time on the floor, I then could apply to go to a 6 mos OR training program. That is if I am accepted into it.

Any info would be appreciated. I am so undecided right now. Should I work here and get my 2 years then enter as an OR nurse or enlist, work the floor then hope to get into the OR?

RNPATL, DNP, RN · Feb 6, 2005

Hi
I graduate this June with my BSN. I am seriously considering joining the Navy. I have been told that I would be at either a hospital in San Diego, VA or Maryland. My pick would be San Diego.
I am scheduled to fly out next month with my recruiter to visit the hospital in San Diego. I want to talk to other new grads or nurses that will share their experiences.
I am not worried about being sent to any location, unless it's Iceland. I can handle anywhere else. But, how often is it that you do get your 1 choice location? My husband believes it does not happen to often.
My main issue. I am in an OR internship. Well it is something like an internship. I pay extra to get the OR training. I am not guaranteed a job at this particular facility. Anyways, I am told that I would have to work the floor for several years. I guess I am ok with that. Has anyone ever come across this? Now I am being told that I could get into the PACU in a year or so. So, after I do my time on the floor, I then could apply to go to a 6 mos OR training program. That is if I am accepted into it.
Any info would be appreciated. I am so undecided right now. Should I work here and get my 2 years then enter as an OR nurse or enlist, work the floor then hope to get into the OR?

Bumping the thread so people on now can see it and perhaps respond.

ksmith1963 · Feb 11, 2005

Your work assignment will depend on the "needs of the Navy". You can always ask/apply for a change in duty assignment (from med/surg to a specialty area). Talk to your nursing supervisor, chief nurse once you get your feet on the ground. Again, hospital duty assignments depend on your skills and the military needs. You will have an opportunity to talk with your detailer (the person who writes the assignment orders). Most of the services have a career progression plan that show what you need to do to get promoted. (Education, work experience, leadership potential, etc.).

I am a retired Navy Nurse, and Navy Nursing was a very rewarding career. I learned more anout leadership and management while in the Navy and worked with a very dedicated team of doctors and hospital corpsmen. The patient mix in a military hospital is like any "civilian" hospital. Right now, many of the military hospitals are full of service men and women injured from battles around the world. It's an amazing and uplifting experience to provide nursing care to those injured protecting my freedom and defending my country.

Good luck

suttonjp · Feb 11, 2005

All branches of the military require a BSN (I believe - Military people help me out please). I am not sure what the age cut off is, but perhaps others reading tyhe thread can answer.

The Air Force requires that you either have your BSN or are in the final year of a BSN program. If you apply in your final year, you will go through a 10 week Nurse Transition Program. Max age for the Air Force is 47. If you are prior service, the Air Force subtracts the number of years you served from your current age, and that number has to be less than 47.

army1RN · Feb 12, 2005

Im Looking into the United States Navy Nurse Canidate Program, any one have an any experience with this program.

The Army Nurse Corps offers Junior and Senior BSN students $$$ while they are in school-$5000 once selected for the program, $1000 per month while a full-time student, and another $5000 (either at the start of the Senior year, if accepted as juniors, or at the end of the senior year if accepted as seniors).

That could be in excess of $30,000 dollars while completing the BSN degree!

I am currently an Army Nurse Corps officer (critical care/trauma nurse) in the NY City area and can provide further information to anyone interested in applying.

aniko743 · Feb 18, 2005

The Army Nurse Corps offers Junior and Senior BSN students $$$ while they are in school-$5000 once selected for the program, $1000 per month while a full-time student, and another $5000 (either at the start of the Senior year, if accepted as juniors, or at the end of the senior year if accepted as seniors).
That could be in excess of $30,000 dollars while completing the BSN degree!
I am currently an Army Nurse Corps officer (critical care/trauma nurse) in the NY City area and can provide further information to anyone interested in applying.

I am currently enrolled in a lpn programm, but my goal is to have my bsn. I want to join the army or air force nurse corps. Can you give me some advice what is the best way to go? Should I get my bsn first or join as a enlisted and try it that way? I am confused.

googly-woogly · Apr 8, 2005

I agree with you, as in everything there are peoople who abuse the system. However being a military wife and brat the comments on the quote really bite. Not all of us are slackers who make up symptoms. On a different note, I am thinking about persuing an accelerated BSN program or the Second Degree Option that many schools are now offering. If I do so, can anyone tell me about serving in hte Army as a nurse? How is it compared to the Air Force? and about the trainig, I am aware that it is 14 weeks long, but what are those weeks made up of? Is it 4 weeks at Ft Sam and the rest at one of their trainig facilities or how does it work? I still have about 2.5 years until this happens but I'd like to be informed and make an informed decision.

Here is some information you may want if you are interested.
http://www.goarmy.com/amedd/nurse/corps_specialties_requir.jsp
It list the requirements and age.
If anyone has any questions, I was active duty enlisted and am currently am and active duty CRNA.
As far as the question about experience, you will have more than you will ever know. You will be far ahead of your peers (no matter if you go Army, Navy, Air Force)... I speak from experience. In order to advance, you will be required to continually improve your clinical and academic standing through the various programs offered through the armed forces for nurses (ER course, ICU course, OB course, etc -- paid master's and advanced practice programs, etc). I have to disagree with the poster concerning lack of patient acuity in the armed forces, I believe that person is misinformed (and quite possibly mentally ill since he or she has no idea of what they speak----referring to the posted quote referenced by caffeinism in the above post. Sorry you read that horrible post caffeine). Our medical centers and information on them can be found on the web. You will work 40 (on a good week) up to 80 hours a week in some cases. We take care of soldiers, dependents, retirees, and reserve troops daily, the "slacker" comment was very unprofessional and misinformed.
Brooke Army Medical Center
Walter Reed Medical Center
Tripler
Eisenhower
William Beaumont (to name a few)
On the same token, excellent training and experience comes with the strong possibility that you will deploy in support of the Global War on Terror (with that there is no better experience IN THE WORLD). I truly love the Army, my pay for my specialty is lower than my civilian counterparts, but my practice is more autonomous.
Good Luck,
Mike
Additionally, the army paid for all my education.

BadBird, BSN, RN · Apr 22, 2005

I work the for VA in a CCU unit and I can honestly say it is the BEST nursing job I ever had. There are problems with all units and hospitals but the staffing ratio is the best around, the pay could be better but 5 weeks paid vacation your first year is nothing to sneeze at. I am a ADN nurse and plan on going back to school for my BSN, I am currently in the application stage awaiting my letter of acceptance and then I can submit my request for the VA to pay for school. So many opportunities await a VA nurse it is truely the best kept secret.