It has come that time for me to submit my ranking for where I would like my first duty station to be. Obviously this is all subject to the needs of the Army, but historically nurses get 1 of their top 3 choices so I wanted to put some real thought into it. I have narrowed it down a bit from the possible 8 but still can't decide what to pick for #1. My options are:
Landstuhl- I've never been outside the US and this would give me an opportunity to travel. The biggest worry I have is if my gf (soon to be fiance) comes with me, will she be able to find work? She is a social worker and I have no idea if she would be able to find something over there.
Tripler- Seems like an awesome place (I mean, it's a vacation spot) but I've heard it gets old after awhile. Also, I wouldn't be able to attend a specialty course until I PCS'd (or so I am told).
Lewis- Cool area of the country that I've never been to. I like the outdoors (hiking, camping, etc). It rains a lot, which could get old. Biggest concern with this one is what I've heard about Tacoma being a pretty dangerous area. Can't decide because I've heard nothing but good things from Soldiers who have been there.
Sam Houston- Home of Army medicine and nursing. Been there before and loved it. Home of specialty courses I want to go to. Really nice hospital. San antonio is a fun city. This seems like my "safe" choice since it's closer to home than all of the others and not that different from my home state (Indiana, FWIW).
If you've read this far, do you have any input or advice for me? Which duty station should I put as my #1? It would be super appreciated!! Thanks!
That sounds like an incredible experience! So based on what you said, I'm gathering that my first duty station won't really determine whether I end up in an FST in the future. Rather, I should try to go to a specialty course for ER/ICU and go from there.
That should be your plan. So your first duty station won't get you to an FST, but it will determine if you get to a course! Start lobbying early. :) Discuss your goals with your OIC and any mentors.
I remember talking to my recruiter about FSTs in 2010 when I was just looking at commissioning; she had deployed with a CSH, but knew people who had deployed with FSTs and I thought, that is what I want to do! And I am so grateful for the opportunity and experience, it was amazing. I really got lucky because it's not common for a 1LT to deploy as a section OIC with an FST. I was promoted to CPT while deployed, though.
I'm in the Navy's Nurse Corps, stationed just up the road from Ft. Lewis in Bremerton, WA. Its an awesome area and yes lots of rain in the fall/winter, but to be as far north as we are it is a very mild climate year round! Ft Lewis is huge and has lots of amenities, i've been there many times.
I have only been to the Landstuhl area once (Rammstein) on the way back from Afghanistan and we were there a week. What an awesome part of the world. I would LOVE to have the opportunity to be stationed there!! Alas the Army corners that market haha.
Just an FYI - you mentioned your gf/fiance - know that the DoD won't pay for her travel/move if you go overseas and she goes with you unless you are married. If she can get hired by the DoD as a civilian Social Worker, thats actually a pretty portable job and she should be able to get hired at most MTFs OCONUS or CONUS if you have to move around a lot.
Lunah, MSN, RN
14 Articles; 13,773 Posts
That should be your plan. So your first duty station won't get you to an FST, but it will determine if you get to a course! Start lobbying early. :) Discuss your goals with your OIC and any mentors.
I remember talking to my recruiter about FSTs in 2010 when I was just looking at commissioning; she had deployed with a CSH, but knew people who had deployed with FSTs and I thought, that is what I want to do! And I am so grateful for the opportunity and experience, it was amazing. I really got lucky because it's not common for a 1LT to deploy as a section OIC with an FST. I was promoted to CPT while deployed, though.