Nursing Student Possibly Interested In The Military

[shortstuff52]

Hello,

I wanted some input from fellow nurses/nursing students who are in the military/who might be interested in joining the military after they graduate. I know its best that I go see each branch's recruiters individually but I would still like some input... I haven't decided on which branch exactly, but I was looking toward Navy, Air Force and Army (Ranking in order) But I haven't done much research regarding benefits, locations/placements, and other pertinent information. Does anyone have any suggestions? I kind of think I wouldn't mind being away from home but who knows... I think I can handle the physical training but after I keep thinking about everything in general and about a future family... it just gets me worried. I'm still young (23) and I know I have a lot time ahead of me... But one main reason I would like to join is for the confidence and benefits in the long run.

I had a question about pay...

In the civilian setting, if you work in the ICU compared to general Med-Surg, ICU typically gets paid more. But is that not how it works in the military. Will you get paid the same regardless where you work? (Considering I'm a new graduate)

Thank You

[AprilNK]

I'm not in the military but my husband is active duty in the Marine Corps. We have had this discussion many times about me finishing a BSN program and going into the military as an officer. I personally would recommend Air Force, but that's because their deployments are shorter and their quality of life is a lot better when you think about housing, deployments, and just general work. But I am also a mom and am married so going on a ship for 7-12 months at a time is really not appealing to me. As far as pay goes, you are a commissioned officer and they have a pay grade O-1 being the lowest and working up to O-10 eventually. Pay is based on your grade and you are commissioned for generally 6 years and it is a contract. So basically you say "Ok, I'm yours for 6 years." However, a lot of medical occupations in the military have a pretty good bonus for your commission as well as re-commission. And the pay may not look that great but once you add in housing allowance, food allowance, and all of the other benefits it's definitely competitive to the ciivilan sector. Good luck! And whatever you do, definitely go talk to the recruiters but have a list of questions in hand and don't let them just feed you a whole line of BS. If they tell you they can give you something (incentive, etc) get it in writing.

[JennNJ83]

from what I understand, you get paid based on your rank, not experience or specialty, I know that's how it is in non medical MOS's I'd say military is def the way to go, housing and food allowance, getting to travel and do work that you love, the only drawback at this point would be guarenteed deployments. My hubby is AD Army and I love traveling, experiencing different parts of the country, I really enjoy it.

[Mimichama]

Hello,

There's a sub-forum just on Government and Military Nursing here

-Mimi

[FLmomof5]

To correct the first response, your obligation to the military is 4 years not 6.

I am an AF vet and if I were young enough to go back in, I would choose AF. As my Army hubby says..... "an E-4 in the AF lives better than an O-4 in the Army!"

BTW, aside from the base pay, your housing allowance and food allowance are non-taxable. Free Medical and Dental for AD....you could potentially earn far more in the military than you would as a civilian (I believe LTC's right now pull in about $9K/mo). They will pay for your further education.....etc. Then there is the military retirement....I know too many folks (me included) that choose to buy this months lifestyle than put money in a 401K(or whatever the equivalent is for nurses).

I am a 2nd term NS. I am looking at working at the local military hospital as a civilian. I have 5 years already between AD/AF and CS/AF, so I would be eligible for retirement 15 yrs after I get hired!