Prior service looking into active nursing corps

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Hey Everyone,

First off let me say that if the questions I pose have been answered ages ago, or can be answered from hours of reading other posts, I apologize. However, if that is the case. Not to be a wise ass, but just get over it.

Now on to what I really want to discuss. I'm a prior service Navy SeaBee (for anyone who knows who that is), and I just recently was honorably discharged. Right now I've applied for an ADN program with the full intention of pursuing a BSN after that. My many questions revolve around the Nursing Corps. Im hoping that those with the knowledge and insight on this forum can share with me their thoughts and any advice that is helpful.

Now keep in mind that I have done a sizable amount of reading into the different subjects I'm asking about, but I want to know about any hidden information or things that are usually not talked about on the human side of things. Not so much the application/paperwork processes. If anyone could help me get a better idea on the following topics, I would greatly appreciate it.

Mainly I'am wanting to know more about the day to day life of an active duty nurse. Things ranging from what are your work schedules usually like, how are your deployment rotations handled, what have been you favorite/worst duty stations, likelihood of being stationed overseas (which I consider a plus for me because I'm single), and the list goes on. But, any inside look into the life of an active duty nurse is valuable to me.

Furthermore, was working as an Nurse Corps Officer (No matter the service branch) what you thought it would be? Is it better, or worse? Is this something that most make into a career?

Thank you very much to all who reply, I do appreciate any help. I hope nobody takes the tone of this post as too pushy, I'm just very serious about becoming an officer.

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

Are you specifically looking into Navy nursing, or any branch?

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Any branch is fine, although I speak navy lingo more fluently.

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

As a new grad nurse in any branch, I think it's highly unlikely you're going overseas unless you consider Hawaii (TAMC for the Army) or Alaska overseas (JBER for the Air Force). Overseas medical facilities are generally tiny clinics and not a good place for new nurses. New grads in the Navy almost universally go to San Diego, D.C, or Portsmouth.

Having done both civilian and military nursing, I would say military is an upgrade for me personally. You trade life flexibility (typical military nonsense) for a sizable increase in pay/benefits and career opportunities.

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I was stationed in Virginia beach for 5 years. Portsmouth is a hell hole, but I'd take it over Alaska. That's just me personally. Thanks for the input.

I read that with the Air Force you can negotiate for your first duty station. Is that total nonsense or have you heard a similar story? As far as the military nonsense, I'm fine with that. I think the pay and benefits would make up for it.

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

Meant to at Walter Reed (D.C) to that list of new grad Navy locations.

I'm AF and the answer is no. You do submit a wish list. Many people do get one of their 5 CONUS or 5 OCONUS picks. However, I've heard of them sending people to places no where on their list.

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

We submitted a wish list in the Army as well. It was totally wishful, but I was coming in as an experienced nurse and they needed me at the MEDDAC-sized element (community hospital) more than at the MEDCEN (larger medical center). But I was given four options from which to choose by my branch manager when the time came to pick.

As an Army Nurse Corps officer, it was about what I expected, though I didn't quite expect the amount of abuse of Army nurses in deference to the facility civilians. There were some actions by leadership that I found reprehensible and intolerable, and those behaviors that seemed ingrained were part of the reason I was not sad to return to civilian healthcare. I had a great 4.5 years, overall — awesome deployment, great leadership experience, started/finished an MSN, met my husband, grew as a person, yada x 3. In the next year as things stabilize, I might look into some options as I am an IRR officer — maybe Reserves, maybe IMA (individual medical augmentee). Or, I might not. :) We'll see.

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Specializes in ICU, Military.

NavySeaBee,

I'm a Navy Nurse, stationed on the USS NIMITZ right now. As a new grad you're almost guaranteed to go to Portsmouth, Bethesda, or San Diego Medical Centers. This is where the Navy's new nurses go to "learn the basics"(i.e. work med-surg). I deployed to Afghanistan while stationed at San Diego but I came into the service with a lot of prior nursing experience. I am personally counting the days til i get out (about 1.5 years left). I'm tired of duty days, working more hours and getting paid less than as a civilian. I don't know how much prior E time you have but it could very well be worth it to you for the retirement etc. Plus you'll get the O1E, O2E, O3E pay which is more than i make as a non-prior enlisted guy. If you have specific questions hit me up.

Jeremy

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Hey Jeremy,

Thanks for your info. I was 5 years active duty. And while in Afghnistan I helped repair the facilities for a few FST's, and moved patients around when Medevacs would come in. That was about the extent of the medical side of things that I saw while there. Did you choose orders to the Nimitz or were you pushed there? And, I've read that a sign on bonus or loan repayment is available for those who join. Any hidden catches on those bonuses or repayments? If you had to do it over again, would you go navy?

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Hey Everyone,

First off let me say that if the questions I pose have been answered ages ago, or can be answered from hours of reading other posts, I apologize. However, if that is the case. Not to be a wise ass, but just get over it.

Now on to what I really want to discuss. I'm a prior service Navy SeaBee (for anyone who knows who that is), and I just recently was honorably discharged. Right now I've applied for an ADN program with the full intention of pursuing a BSN after that. My many questions revolve around the Nursing Corps. Im hoping that those with the knowledge and insight on this forum can share with me their thoughts and any advice that is helpful.

Now keep in mind that I have done a sizable amount of reading into the different subjects I'm asking about, but I want to know about any hidden information or things that are usually not talked about on the human side of things. Not so much the application/paperwork processes. If anyone could help me get a better idea on the following topics, I would greatly appreciate it.

Mainly I'am wanting to know more about the day to day life of an active duty nurse. Things ranging from what are your work schedules usually like, how are your deployment rotations handled, what have been you favorite/worst duty stations, likelihood of being stationed overseas (which I consider a plus for me because I'm single), and the list goes on. But, any inside look into the life of an active duty nurse is valuable to me.

Furthermore, was working as an Nurse Corps Officer (No matter the service branch) what you thought it would be? Is it better, or worse? Is this something that most make into a career?

Thank you very much to all who reply, I do appreciate any help. I hope nobody takes the tone of this post as too pushy, I'm just very serious about becoming an officer.

I am looking into this also. I am prior service too. May I ask how old are you. I'm 25. Just starting my preqs for the ADN program.

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