OR Nursing in the military

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Hi All,

I am currently a civilian OR nurse thinking about joining the Army Nurse Corps. I work in the OR, have at least 2 years OR experience, and completed an OR training program at the hospital I work at. I have a BSN, and my husband was in the Army which helps drive my passion to become a nurse in the military. I have some questions about being an OR nurse in the army;

- where are the options for being stationed as an OR nurse? (Currently I live close to Ft. Lewis)

- what are the work hours? is there call?

- what rank do you start out at and how fast do you advance rank?

- how long is BOLC, and is my husband and baby allowed to come with/visit while I am there?

- what is day to day life like in the Army as an OR nurse?

Thanks so much in advance for all of your help/answers!

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

- where are the options for being stationed as an OR nurse? (Currently I live close to Ft. Lewis)

All bases which have a hospital. Some small hospitals are on the chopping block like Ft. Knox.

- what are the work hours? is there call?

Varies where you work at. Presently I work 8-10hrs per day with 2nd call 2-5 times a month. Other hospitals I worked the same hours but had 1st call 5-6 days a month.

- what rank do you start out at and how fast do you advance rank?

Your rank will depend on how much constructive credit they give you. I you started the application process now you would have approx. 3 years experience which would translate to 18 months time in grade. This would make you a 2nd LT with promotion to 1LT in about 6 months.

- how long is BOLC, and is my husband and baby allowed to come with/visit while I am there?

Can not answer that one since I went to OBC as a reservist.

- what is day to day life like in the Army as an OR nurse?

pretty close to a civilian day but will have extra duties which can make your day longer.!

xxxxx

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Thanks for the info! Do you know the chances of deployment for AD/Reserve nurses for the upcoming year?

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

Right now its low but it could change any day.

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