Navy or Army nursing

[xxhoops7609]

Hi my name is Melanie. I was thinking for a while I would love to join the Navy or the Army after school. I am one year into a nursing college and in 2013 I will have my B.S.N. I want to save lives and see the world. I was thinking the Navy because I do not know if I want to be on the front lines with the Army. Can any military nurses help me and tell me what training is like and what your part in the military is.

Thank you!!

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

so there are more bodies competing for the same number of available slots

Sounds like Nursing Schools! and there are also drill sargeants in nursing schools

Never thought about that - sort of IS like applying for nursing school all over again!

[chr0nic21]

I was wondering amongst all the servicemen/women in this thread.....which branch of the armed forces would you guys go to...my brother is currently in the army and discourages me through out against joining it because he says that the army nurses take turns to go in the front line in combat and highly recommends going to the airforce instead...thanks for all the help..im a bit ignorant when it comes to the armed force

thank you

[just_cause, BSN, RN]

Majority of nurses are not deployed, of those most are in hard stands and not 'in the front lines'. There is always a small risk... just as in the AF there are flight nurses which has an inherent risk. In the grand scheme of things I would not let either of those possibilities alter which service I was interested in... I'd look at location of major med centers, perhaps areas of specialty that interest you, perhaps population of who you want to work with.... I'd also say that the forward positions are more rare but that doesn't meant they aren't competitive as people often come from different backgrounds and seek ways to get out of the hospital and closer to the fight as opposed to being 'pushed' there.

v/r

[vegas2009]

which branch of the armed forces would you guys go to...

Anything, but the marines. I have nothing against them, they're just too physical for me. I don't mind having a physical regimen/routine to stay in shape, but, I hear the marines are very firm with their height/weight restrictions. I used to live in navy facilities wherein, you'll see marines run ALL the time (mornings, afternoons). You don't see much of the navy folks doing that, only when their physicals are coming up!

By the way, I can honestly say that -- I have NOT seen an overweight/obese marine yet!

[armyicurn]

I was wondering amongst all the servicemen/women in this thread.....which branch of the armed forces would you guys go to...my brother is currently in the army and discourages me through out against joining it because he says that the army nurses take turns to go in the front line in combat and highly recommends going to the airforce instead...thanks for all the help..im a bit ignorant when it comes to the armed force

thank you

Go Army. It will take care of you. Sooner of later you have to face it.

[klyball]

I have 15 yrs Navy enlisted Corpsman, I just got my RN and I'm looking at going green. Can you give me any info?

[0402]

Anything, but the marines. I have nothing against them, they're just too physical for me. I don't mind having a physical regimen/routine to stay in shape, but, I hear the marines are very firm with their height/weight restrictions. I used to live in navy facilities wherein, you'll see marines run ALL

the time (mornings, afternoons). You don't see much of the navy folks doing that, only when their physicals are coming up!

By the way, I can honestly say that -- I have NOT seen an overweight/obese marine yet!

There are no nurses is the Marine Corps! The Navy does our medical and religious functions.

[jeckrn, BSN, RN]

You can return to the Navy as a RN and asked to be assigned to a Marine unit, ie a FSSG unit. If you are not able to get assigned to one ask for a Marine base. Since you are a new grad more then likely you will have to go to one of the "big 3" for your first 1-2 years then follow on with the Marines.

Where you ever assigned to a Marine unit as a HM? I was a HM1(FMF) for many years before getting my commission in the Army.

[jeckrn, BSN, RN]

Anything, but the marines. I have nothing against them, they're just too physical for me. I don't mind having a physical regimen/routine to stay in shape, but, I hear the marines are very firm with their height/weight restrictions. I used to live in navy facilities wherein, you'll see marines run ALL

the time (mornings, afternoons). You don't see much of the navy folks doing that, only when their physicals are coming up!

By the way, I can honestly say that -- I have NOT seen an overweight/obese marine yet!

There are no nurses is the Marine Corps! The Navy does our medical and religious functions.

0402, by this last line of the post are you a Marine or have you ever been a Marine?

[0402]

Yes, I am a Marine- I did 8 yrs active and have been a reservist for about 4 yrs now. I have considered switching over to the Navy, now that I'm an RN, but decided not to for now. After I have a year or so of experience, I'm going to look into it again (most likely, I'd join the reserves due to the difficulties of ensuring I'm stationed with my husband, and currently, you have to have 3 months of experience before you apply- at least that's what the recruiter told me, which is fine for me right now, anyway). I'm sorry if I misunderstood the one post- it appeared to be that someone asked which branch to join and someone said not the Marine Corps, which wouldn't be an option anyway.