caughtupinthismoment

Where was your first duty station? How long did it take for you to adjust from civilian to military life? And what advice do you have for those going in? Thanks!

Please let me know if you create the fb group. It’s been a long and daunting process and any support from people who are in the same boat would help tremendously!

Hello, Just wondering how many of you current or former military nurses have moonlighted on the side. What was your specialty for full-time position, what specialty did you moonlight in, etc. Thanks.

Not a book but www.skillstat.com is helpful for interpreting rhythms on the monitor.

To my knowledge, nothing has changed. Asked my recruiter the same question.

@Meep123 I see. Just get that RN and you’ll be solid. Anytime after that you will be learning an incredible amount of skills and knowledge time will fly by. Being a nurse has been the best thing for me. So many options.

Wow how interesting. How is it going so far? Did you have that as a “wish” destination?

When you are done with your masters program, what boards will you take? RN? NP? Wow. You have been put through the ringer. Thanks for the reply. We should talk in a message to update each other on progresses/regresses. Can’t figure out how to PM on this though. PM me your update so far.

You can get in anywhere that requires an RN license. Sure experience is preferred, but rarely required. Don’t give up and apply for what you want. Focus on landing an interview (good resume and cover letter) and then charm the pants off of them. Everything else will figure itself out. Nothing is absolute. Including not getting hired because of x, y, and z.... Unless those include felonies or drug diverting or something. That’s the beauty of nursing. Nurses range from both ends of the spectrum.. really *** and really freaking awesome. Try and be one in the latter category and you’ll see many doors opening for you regardless of your situation. I was offered an interim manager positions after only a year and a half on the floor, then made it official just a few months later. And it’s not because I’m hot *** or anything. I just go hard 12.5 hours, every single day I’m there. Set your mind on the goal and do what it takes to get there. You can get there. Promise.

If you want CRNA, go ICU. Don’t waste time elsewhere unless you are doing it to get the most out of the situation, which from your post, doesn’t seem like you are. Just pick an end goal and keep your eyes on the prize. Do what it takes to get there and give no excuses in between. God speed.

Give it some time. I hated nursing when I first started. Now I couldn’t be more grateful. Took about a year and a half to feel like I made the right decision.

Amazing. Thank you!!

You're the best! I have a plan. After knowing I need at least 6 mo. ICU experience, I am planning to transfer to an ICU in the city when my lease is up (June). The officer health care recruiter in my division is not helpful at all. He was basically like, this is what I need, let me know when you get it, kbye. I had to contact a different recruiter, same type, just not in my division, to get helpful information to make reasonable decisions regarding what's next and if it's even worth it. I also talked to another recruiter, who is just a general officer recruiter who offered to put me through MEPS and the background check in the interim I'm waiting to get the ICU experience. So I'm wondering if I should go through MEPS and the background check now before I make my move to the city and hopefully have it all completed, or at least in the process of completion, so that when I get down there I can just focus on working? He said it's transferrable and good for two years. And what advice do you have for working with recruiters? Obviously some are better than others, but unfortunately the one who will most likely be processing my application is on the more lazier/careless side. ? My goal is to get selected. So whatever I can do to expedite and make myself a worthy candidate I'm willing to do. Any other advice would be appreciated.

Tell us how it went! ?

Awesome! I would love to pick your brain. I'm in a pickle now and I'm not sure how to handle it to be honest. ?