Navy nurse? Yay/nay?

allnurses Guide · May 10, 2010

What do you guys think about becoming a navy nurse?
What are the pros and cons as a single young woman joining the navy because she cannot find a RN jobs in this economy?

1. Don't join any military branch just for a job/money. It isn't worth it.

2. It takes most people at least a year after starting their paper to actually get into the military as a nurse.

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · May 10, 2010

I do not know where to begin to tell you what is wrong with joining the Navy!!! :uhoh3:

-Marine Wife born into an Army Family joining the Army soon!

Just kidding.... try asking around on the Government and Military Nursing forum:

https://allnurses.com/government-military-nursing/

Good luck!

NeoNurseTX, RN · May 10, 2010

You don't really get to pick specialities, will be deployed, and have way less say in your work hours.

tmed · May 10, 2010

Find a navy Nurse on active duty or a friend of a friend, starting point.

The pay of active duty officer is equal or better from the pay gradeNavy LT/staff nurse and up than anything you

will find in the civilian world. Navy nurses deployments are not that th bad. Education opportunities are good.

The main issue is whether or not you like the military life style??

Justanotherday · May 10, 2010

My son is in the Navy, so I am very "pro Navy"!!! I applaud anyone's decision to join the military. I have been very inspired by biographies written by wartime nurses. Sorry, I don't have any helpful information for you, just got excited at the title of the post! Best of luck with your decision!

aura_of_laura · May 10, 2010

I'm waiting around for my Air Force officer training school date right now - the previous posters are right when they say it takes a long time to get from Point A to Point B! For me, it's been since Nov 2009 until Jan 2011!

I haven't heard many bad things about military nursing: the benefits are great, you can retire in 20 years, and there are TONS of opportunities for travel and education. Of course, you have to be aware of the fact that you have a good chance of being deployed (regardless of what the recruiter tells you). Research what different branches can offer you... and check out the military nursing section of allnurses.com!

latonyad34 · May 10, 2010

I have been in the Navy for 14 years and separated from active duty to attend nursing school with plans to return to the Nurse Corps. It is very lucrative; there is a $50,000 loan payoff incentive, and sign-up bonuses. There is the matter of learning to integrate into military lifestyle but wouldn't that have to be done for any new position? I think that nurses in the Navy are well respected, and you can't go wrong with the benefits available. Definitely research and then search your heart. But don't discount it as an option.

rojahs3 · May 10, 2010

Where are you currently living where they have a nurse shortage? I would expore my options of maybe moving before entering the military, you can still find jobs in a city with nursing shorages...I worked for the military for many years and it's not worth it, trust me

Donnuh · May 10, 2010

Thank you everybodyfor your feedbacks. I am living in California in the Bay Area and the job market here is crazy competitive. I was thinking about it but I am also afraid because I did some research and found that 1 in 7 women in the millitary get sexually assaulted or harrassed. I think that is one of the reasons that I am scared. What do you guys think about this?

latonyad34 · May 11, 2010

I'm a Sexual assault victim intervention advocate in the New Orleans area. We serve all branches in the region, sexual assault should be the least of your worries. Yes it occurs, but the awareness and prevention measures have been effective at reducing the numbers. I can't speak for overseas regions and other situations, but sexual assault and harassment are always risks anywhere. You could also join the reserves and work part time as a nurse....performing drills. You can have a little more control over where you are because you'd drill at local military installations. I grew up in Oakland near where Oak Knoll hospital was. If you went Air Force you could drill at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield. Just a thought. A lot of people have negative perceptions of the military but have never served. It has it's pros and cons like anywhere else one might work. Every experience is different. You could find that you hate it or that it was the best move you ever made. I found the latter. Also as a nurse you'd most likely be working in a facility, unless you're hanging out after hours with risky behavior, your fear would likely be unfounded.... Wouldn't let it deter..... And remember the contracts come to an end....

latonyad34 · May 11, 2010

I'm a Sexual assault victim intervention advocate in the New Orleans area. We serve all branches in the region, sexual assault should be the least of your worries. Yes it occurs, but the awareness and prevention measures have been effective at reducing the numbers. I can't speak for overseas regions and other situations, but sexual assault and harassment are always risks anywhere. You could also join the reserves and work part time as a nurse....performing drills. You can have a little more control over where you are because you'd drill at local military installations. I grew up in Oakland near where Oak Knoll hospital was. If you went Air Force you could drill at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield. Just a thought. A lot of people have negative perceptions of the military but have never served. It has it's pros and cons like anywhere else one might work. Every experience is different. You could find that you hate it or that it was the best move you ever made. I found the latter. Also as a nurse you'd most likely be working in a facility, unless you're hanging out after hours with risky behavior, your fear would likely be unfounded.... Wouldn't let it deter..... And remember the contracts come to an end....