No more army, navy, AF nurses/docs?

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.

I just attended a trauma conference. One of the speakers was an army surgeon. He told us that serious consideration is being given to doing away with the seperate medical branches and forming one armed forces medical service to serve all branches.

Has anyone heard about this and how likely do you think it actually happening is?

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
I just attended a trauma conference. One of the speakers was an army surgeon. He told us that serious consideration is being given to doing away with the seperate medical branches and forming one armed forces medical service to serve all branches.

Has anyone heard about this and how likely do you think it actually happening is?

Yes, I read about this in the Army Times the other day. However, if such were to happen it will be later, rather than sooner... as in many years down the road, IMHO. All military medical departments are hurting for personnel numbers. This is one idea being considered to help alleviate the lack of needed personnel. However, I've not heard anyone speak of this plan at the local level.

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Specializes in OR Internship starting in Jan!!.

It'll be interesting to see how that turns out since I am trying to get through nursing school and then possibly join the military!

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So, is this both the Medical Corps and the Nurse Corps? I haven't "heard" anything about that, but what I did hear was that military hospitals will be slowly transitioning over to be completely civilian staffed (I live near a Naval Medical Center). Subsequently, active duty personnel will be deploying more and more often. Just the buzz around here!

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ugh, this is so *not* good news to those who dream of following family footsteps into a particular service! :p

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I also find this very interesting. I think in a way it would be somewhat "easier" for all health care personnel to work together to provide care for persons of all military branches, instead of just limiting to AF, Navy/Marines, and Army. JMO, and I have considered military nursing. Still thinking about it. :)

Forgot to add: Is there a link to an article that talks about this issue?? Thanks again! :)

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