~Navy Nurse WannaBe~

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Specializes in CNA.

I have been wanting to go to the Navy for 5 yrs now and when i met my husband, i placed it on hold to go to school for nursing in RN as well as i didnt want to be separated from him. So now its been almost 4 yrs and Ive been out of school for 2 yrs i dont know how to go back because of Financial Aid and the Loans i doubt i can get, so i put them both together and decided that i should try ths again by goin to the Navy and bein the nurse ive been wanting to be since i was 10. The thing with this decision is that im married to a wonderful man/minister who is supportive of this, and this is what i need to do for me and also just the thought of bein apart from your other half is very hard, I dont like violence and thats the first thing that comes to mind when people say Navy or Army. What i want to know is do they throw nurses in the wars? Also, should I take this chance and go or just forget about it since im Married?:nurse:

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Specializes in critical care: trauma/oncology/burns.

Princesshawty:

First off, welcome to AllNurses! This is THE best place to find support and acceptance.

Now, I am an Army Nurse and I really don't know anything about the Navy. Having said that, if you are concerned about being apart from your spouse - while deployed, then perhaps you should not consider any of the Armed Forces. If you are concerned about the possibility of being deployed, then perhaps you should not consider any of the Armed Forces, for now.

I would suggest you continue working as a RN, making your life with your mate. Maybe in a few years time your world view of yourself will have changed (smile) and you will again consider the Navy. I am not sure what you mean when you say "...do they throw nurses in the wars?"

Whatever you decide, this is the forum to ask those questions and hopefully receive the answers you are seeking!

athena

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Specializes in Pediatrics: Neuro/Ortho/Trauma, Now ER.

I'm not a navy nurse yet but I have done plenty of research, plus I'm a Navy brat, so I grew up around military. It is wonderful that your husband is so supportive. Mine is too...he bugs me every day about filling out the darn papers :chuckle. Don't just forget about joining the Navy because you are married. There are plenty of people in the military who are married and have kids, and some couples who are both active duty.

But I agree with athena55. If you are concerned about leaving your spouse and being deployed, the armed forces may not be the best option for you at this time. In time, you may feel differently. Do your reserach so you can make the best decision for you and your family.

A couple things to consider: Navy deployments (from what I can tell by my research - correct me guys if I'm wrong!) are relatively short compared to the other branches, and nurses are not directly in combat zones. And with the way communication technology is currently, it's easier to keep in touch with loved ones back home.

An alternative to the Navy could be working for the VA system. Great benefits, and you get to serve those who have given so much for this country.

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Can you say Iraq I knew you could. From my miltary experiece that is war zone. Navy nurses work in medical facilites world wide. Some of thse are in war zones. So yes they throw navy nurses into wars.Deployments can be long . So good Luck

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Specializes in ER, Trauma, US Navy.

Princess-

I've been a Navy nurse for 10+ years, 11 in May. I'm one of those that's married to an active duty Navy nurse. We've been dual active for almost 5 years now, we have 3 kids. You have to understand that violence is part of the military, no way around it that's what we do. Depending on your deployment you will be asked, uh told, to be qualified to carry a pistol for self-defense. Does that mean that you will be suited up and shooting at people, no. You just need to be qualified to do so in order to protect yourself. What you need to see is that there are people outside our borders that would like to see all Americans dead, it's warped, but that's what they believe. For the average American that has never set foot outside the the United States, it's a hard concept to grasp. I lived in Italy for 3 years and traveled all over that side of the world. When you have that kind of experience you get a better idea of why people believe what they believe, not saying it's right, you just get a different perspective. With that said, nurses in the Navy do serve in close proximity to the frontlines, usually within 5 miles. We have what are called Shock Trauma Platoons, STPs. When people on the frontlines are wounded they are brought back to the STP, stabilized and then sent further back to a Fleet Hospital, about 20 miles back form the frontlines. This kind of scenario is what hapens at the beginning of a conflict. What Navy nurses are doing now is going to Iraq, being stationed in a local clinic, say Baghdad, that cares for casualties of IEDs and whatnot. You have to ask yourself, can I do that? It's not violence like you picking up a gun and shooting someone, but can you care for someone who is the victim of a violent act? Also, if you were put in a situation where it was you or them, could you defend yourself? Again, I'm married and have 3 kids, I ASSURE YOU, if someone threatens to take that away from me, it wouldn't be a question. I'm not a violent person, I don't hunt or own a personal weapon, it's basic self-defense. those are the questions you need to ask yourself. As for length of deployments, depending on the mission you could do anywhere from 4-12 months. My wife is getting deployed at the end of April, she'll be gone for 2 months, home for 1, and then gone for 4. It's our first deployment with both of us active, but we're dealing with it, she's going on a humanitarian mission, so not so bad. The bottom line on deployments, no one wants to go, but it's part of the job. Get it straight in your head, plan accordingly, and it will all work out, that's what we are doing. Might not be what you want to hear, but it's the truth. Let me know if you have more questions.

Harley, no need to be so harsh, not everyone has the experience you or I do, realize the average person has little or no knowledge, that's why we're here to discuss it.

LCDR Dan

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Specializes in Pediatrics: Neuro/Ortho/Trauma, Now ER.
Can you say Iraq I knew you could. From my miltary experiece that is war zone. Navy nurses work in medical facilites world wide. Some of thse are in war zones. So yes they throw navy nurses into wars.Deployments can be long . So good Luck

Well, I did say to correct me if I was wrong, but really...your reply could have been more tactful. On the other hand, I should have made my answer clearer, as in Nurses are typically not on the front lines. Yes, they do go to war zones. It is the military. That's the way it is.

Thanks LCDR Dan for your details on Iraq deployments. It provided a lot of insight.

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Specializes in CNA.
Princess-

Harley, no need to be so harsh, not everyone has the experience you or I do, realize the average person has little or no knowledge, that's why we're here to discuss it.

LCDR Dan

THATS RIGHT!! Can you say conceited!?! i knew you could!!!

Anyways, Thank you so much for everyones words and advice, i appreciate it so much, especially DanznRN and wanttobeanavynurse, you two make me so proud to be an Amercian, lol! Yall gave me so much detail and things to think about very much and it lefted a positive feeling on me, unlike some people, but of course i have more questions so anyone can feel free to leave advice at any time.:nurse:

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