Peds & active duty military nursing

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Hi everyone!I am thinking about military nursing and am wondering if there is much need for Peds nurses? Will I be able to do Peds as active duty or will I get put in med/surg? Is there a certain branch that would be more likely to place in Peds? Or certain hospital? And how would it work if you had to do a deployment? Any help is much appreciated.Thanks! :)

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A few questions: Are u in school now? Going for BSN? Just like any hospital the military is not going to just place u in peds b/c of your preference (not trying to be mean, cause i wanna do peds also, just being realistic). I was prior military (NAVY) and would like to help answer any questions, but need more info on ur current status. Like are u thinking of join military and then doing nursing, are u a nurse now?

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A few questions: Are u in school now? Going for BSN? Just like any hospital the military is not going to just place u in peds b/c of your preference (not trying to be mean cause i wanna do peds also, just being realistic). I was prior military (NAVY) and would like to help answer any questions, but need more info on ur current status. Like are u thinking of join military and then doing nursing, are u a nurse now?[/quote']

Hi procrastinator (love the name)

I am currently working as an RN (BSN) on a Peds unit with adult overflow. I am working at an IHS facility, so think rural hospital. I've been a nurse for a little over a year. Hope that helps:)

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Also, I got an email saying I got a reply from denders but don't see anything? Any suggestions as to why? I can only read the first sentence then it gives a link back to this thread to finish reading?

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Big Army hospitals (I came from Walter Reed) have dedicated peds units (Peds Onc, PICU, general Peds, etc). Smaller hospitals (MEDDACs) will probably either put you on a clinic or on a med-surg floor where you will treat mostly adults and perhaps some kids. It all depends on where you get stationed. Most nurses go to a big station first, then filter out to smaller assignments a couple years later.

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Hi procrastinator (love the name)

I am currently working as an RN (BSN) on a Peds unit with adult overflow. I am working at an IHS facility, so think rural hospital. I've been a nurse for a little over a year. Hope that helps:)

HA ha, thanks :-). You may have a better chance of getting peds as a civilian working at the hospital but I know they usually give military spouses and prior enlisted job offers before regular civilians. If you decide you want to join active duty definitely talk to a recruiter. Since u have ur BSN, u can go in as an officer, don't let them tell you can't. Don't know if I helped, but good luck!!!!

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Thanks for the info!

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Specializes in PACU, ER, Military.

Hi patoyia, I'm active duty Navy RN at Portsmouth Naval Medical Center. We have Peds, PICU, and a very busy L&D and NICU. The Navy population is very busy with Peds and L&D, those are often the busiest units at their hospitals.

A recent new graduate nurse active duty requested and was placed on the Pediatric unit. She did not have to complete a generic med/surg tour. If someone is seeking a specialty they try to place you in it, especially when they need folks.

That has been my experience in the Navy at NMCP, it may be different with other branches or at other hospitals.

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I am working on a commission now. I have 5 years pediatric experience and I am told that there is a demand. My recruiter told me that I would only be working pediatrics since I only have peds experience and I am board certified in pediatrics.

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