New grad in the military

Specialties Government

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I was thinking about joining the military after graduating next spring. After speaking with the recruiters (navy and army) it seems like the only specialties available for new grads are OB and med/surg?

does anyone know what the likelihood of transferring specialties is to something emergency in the military? And how long is have to spend in med surg or ob first?

thanks!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

In the Army, the only way to get to the ER is to come in with ER experience or get selected to do the ER course after you have been in a few years. New grads don't go to the ER.

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What about critical care or ICU?

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
What about critical care or ICU?

Same deal - come in experienced or go to the course after a few years in. Attendance at the critical care/trauma courses is competitive and not guaranteed. You might have a better shot getting civilian experience and the appropriate certification (CEN or CCRN) and then applying.

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Specializes in EMS, LTC, Sub-acute Rehab.

Ok, so you're graduating with a BSN, NCLEX, and license with zero experience? Are you going directly in enlisted? or have they offered you Office Basic Leadership Course? I need more information. Is there a reason you're not considering Air-Force?

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.
Ok, so you're graduating with a BSN, NCLEX, and license with zero experience? Are you going directly in enlisted? or have they offered you Office Basic Leadership Course? I need more information. Is there a reason you're not considering Air-Force?

You do not enlist in the military as a RN with a BSN; you commission which is a whole different process. It takes about 1 year from the time you start your packet until you boarded. If selected it takes some time for your orders to be written and assigned to a Officer Basic Leadership Coorifice.

Talking to the Air Force would be a good idea, that would give the OP an idea of what service would fit their needs/wants best.

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

Generally speaking, all 3 branches only allow new grads to do L&D or med-surg for the first few years.

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Specializes in Med/Surge, ED, Critical Care, Anesthesia.

It might have changed since I first commisioned but you were guaranteed to go to one of four specialties courses(OB, Critical Care, OR, Public health) in the Army within your first four years of commisioning. The ER course is not gaurenteed though for some reason but I never met anyone that was not able to get into the ER course if thats what they wanted. I was able to attend the ICU course after I spent two years as a Med/Surge Nurse right out of school. From what I have seen at the MEDCENs new Med/Surge nurses will be able to attend a specialty course of thier choosing within 2-3 years of working the floor.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
It might have changed since I first commisioned but you were guaranteed to go to one of four specialties courses(OB, Critical Care, OR, Public health) in the Army within your first four years of commisioning.

It has definitely changed. You came in around 2008 or 2009, right? It used to be much easier to get courses as part of your initial contract then. But yes, most people I know who decided on a specialty were able to get to the course, eventually.

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