New Army Nurse Location?

Silverdragon102, BSN · Mar 27, 2019

Moved to the Government/Military forum

SoldierMurse, DNP, CRNA · Mar 27, 2019

I've spent 6 years at Fort Sam (3 years Med/Surge, 3 years ICU). I would never want to go back there, too much bureaucracy and politics but you will get good experience as its the only Level I in the DOD. Also if ICU then CRNA is your goal, it is easier to get into the ICU course quicker while at Fort Sam since the ICU course is also there and does not require you to move to attend. I was stationed there first as a new commission and was able to get into the ICU course quicker. They had someone withdraw last minute and since I was already there in San Antonio, HRC was able to quickly put me in that slot, six months earlier then I was planning on going.

Tripler was my best assignment so far in my career and they have an excellent critical care department. If you go there though as a new commission, just know you CAN NOT attend the ICU course until you complete your three-year tour there. You mentioned you want to go to the ICU course in 1 1/2 - 2 years, that will not happen in Tripler. Hard to pass up that Hawaii life though I would go back in a heartbeat if offered.

The rest of your list all have their positives and negatives and I don't think any would help or hinder your goal of getting to the ICU as fast as possible.

Rhody16x, BSN · Apr 4, 2019

Link up with your Brigade Nurse Counselor towards the end of the semester and see what BOLC classes offer what follow on locations. For example Hawaii was only offered in July and October last year, and word on the street is we are only getting one group this summer. 66S’s are at a critical low rignt now, so if you go to a MTF CONUS side you can drop a packet once you achieved the minimum requirements and probably head to the course around the 2-2 1/2 year mark.

Think of work-life balance, you are going to get worked to death after CNTP regardless of what hospital you end up at. I’m at TAMC now and it has its pros and cons. Also take your boards ASAP, BOLC/duty locations are first come first serve once your BNC gets all your paperwork to the assignment officer at HRC.

TravelRN17 · Jun 25, 2019

What is it like nursing in the Army? I have gotten very conflicting answers. Some say they love it others say they hate it because they get switched between night and day every month to 3 months, are over worked, and you are at high risk of being sexually assaulted

Rhody16x, BSN · Jun 25, 2019

When you aren’t deployed or doing field training it’s the same as the civilian world. Yes you work a lot and switch about every 3 months (GS civilians and contractors don’t switch). Most uniformed staff have additional duties that deal with admin stuff on the floor. No you don’t have a high risk of being sexually assaulted, I don’t know why you would think that. Overall, it’s a pretty sweet gig with all the benefits and getting to care for a special population.

TravelRN17 · Jun 25, 2019

I don't think that Army nurses are at high risk for sexual assault, I just had a friend tell me that other Army nurses she worked with told her that. I didn't mean to offend. I have been getting very contradicting information and I'm very confused. I want to do Army nursing so I can take care of that special population. My brother is in the Army so I would want someone to take care of him with extra care too. I just want to go in with my eyes open. I am a civilian nurse right now, but I'm looking for more.

How often do you get deployed or have field exercises? What type of admin work would a nurse do? Do you know how ICU vs med/surg differs to civilian?

Rhody16x, BSN · Jun 25, 2019

Right now deployments are pretty rare unless you are ICU, ER, CRNA, but even then it’s hard to pick up one. Field time is unit dependent and depends where you are stationed. Typically the field time would be spent setting up a field hospital and doing a few mass casualty drills. I know my hospital sends people to Korea for about 2 weeks twice a year to do that. Admin work could be; scheduler, being in charge of chart audits, being in charge of competency folders, unit practice council. Sometimes your boss will give you admin days and you can work on all that stuff. In terms of actual nursing there is no huge difference between military vs civilian. The difference is mostly when you aren’t working the floor and have to take care of “army things” like physical fitness test, weapons qualification, mandatory training etc.

TravelRN17 · Jun 25, 2019

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions. I might sound crazy, but all of that sounds like fun. The admin stuff doesn't sound bad at all. Usually some poor charge nurse gets stuck with a lot of that work. How is the communication between nurses and Doctors? Do they listen to nurses when recommendations of care are voiced? What happens when you don't understand or agree with the doctor's orders? Do they take the time to explain or let you explain why you don't think something is right? I think Doctors usually out rank nurses, but are you still allowed to question orders?

Rhody16x, BSN · Jun 25, 2019

No worries! The communication is the same. Military healthcare is a big melting pot of civilian/uniformed staff and is generally a very relaxed environment when it comes to military customs and courtesies

TravelRN17 · Jun 25, 2019

That is good to hear! Nothing would be worst than disagreeing with an order for a patient that you can't say no to... What floor do you work on? How are the temperaments of the patients and families? For example Floridians in a hospital are crazy... But Washington state patients are very calm. What diagnoses do you typically see? What are the patient ratios for nurses and CNAs(nursing assistant)?