Navy RN

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Moved to the Government and Military Nursing forum

Hi, I was wanting to hear from RN's that are in the navy.

I am a new graduate that recently completed nursing school earlier this year. I have prior military service, however, and therefore was not as worried about that aspect as other new nursing students seem to be. I have provided some answers related to my specific situation.

Many people seem to be most concerned for their family and have deployment-related concerns. The Navy requires that single parents with dependents have family care plans that ensure the care of children in the event that the servicemember is deployed. Also, you should plan on being deployed. It is part of what we in the military do. We are here to help, please ask whatever questions you have.

ENS, NC, USN

Do you have children?

Yes

How does it affect their lives if at all?

How offen do you have to be away from your family;

I am away from the house about 12 hours or more per day while I am at work. While deployed, family support and communication is very important. Stresses may also present when getting back to your regular life when you return from deployment. The Navy has resources available to help members prepare for and adjust to this way of life.

do you get deployed far away offen?

Not yet, but I expect to be. Deployments may be shipboard (hospital ships or larger combat vessels) or "boots on the ground" in any part of the world in support or combat or humanitarian operations. There are also regular overseas bases that you can be assigned to. The first tour is typically stateside for a 3 year tour.

How many years are you commited for it?

Depends on the program you sign up for (4 years for me). I was in the Nurse Candidate Program (NCP). It supports nursing students accepted into CCNE or NLNAC accredited Bachelor degree programs from acceptance through graduation and provides for monthly stipends and bonuses upon completion.

MAINLY what do you do at your job?

Do you work on a base as an RN or just in a normal hospital?

I currently do regular RN work on an inpatient ward at a major military medical center. Collateral duties may also be assigned as in civilian nursing such as leadership positions.

Do you have children?

How does it affect their lives if at all?

How offen do you have to be away from your family;

do you get deployed far away offen?

How many years are you commited for it?

MAINLY what do you do at your job?

Do you work on a base as an RN or just in a normal hospital?

I am also an ENS at a major military medical facility. No I don't have kids. If you count moving nearly 1000 miles away from all my family then yes? Otherwise I have a live-in boyfriend. He's gone more than I am of late. I'm usually at the hospital around 12 hours a day. Never been deployed as of yet. I hear they are getting ready to switch the coasts they are really drawing medical staff from again in the near future so I suspect/expect to have my card drawn most likely when it does come around. It's ok. I want to be deployed at some point. I also went through the NCP and currently have a commitment of 4 years active duty and 4 reserves at this point. I simply act as a nurse..you know patient care. I currently work in day surgery but will be moving to an inpatient ward in the next few months. I also have a collateral duty. Wherever you end up floor wise you will end up with a collateral of some sort.

All initial commitments for everyone is 8 years. Which can be fulfilled either on active duty or in the reserves. How many years on active depends on the program you get assessed on and how long you want to stay on active after your initial ADSO (active duty service obligation).

thank you guys for your responses they made me think about some things more in depth.