Danielle48

Thank you for your insight. I dated a marine reservist who was in for 8 years and never deployed.... besides the point...This is not some whimsical longing from years ago though. This is a dream of mine since I was a little girl. I became a nurse to be in the Nurses Corps. Along with the other reasons one becomes a nurse. To help those in my community and around the world. Of course any deployement or time away from my children would weigh on me..... isn't that normal? Any active duty person I have spoke with says it weighs on them also...... Pretty sure if it didn't effect me then there is a problem. Were you in the Nurses Corps?

I am currently in the process of joining the Navy Nurses Corps with a Navy Medical Recruiter. I was told that experience and education do usually increase your chances of starting out (after 5week training) at a higher rank then someone who has 5 years experience and a BSN.

Thank you, yes. This is one area that weighs on me heavily for the sake of my kids and husband. Even just the training school that is anywhere between 5 weeks and 8, depending on the branch.

Once again I really appreciate your experience and information. I wish someone would have told me these things 10 years ago haha!

Thank you so much! I have begun my paperwork with the AF since there are a few bases near me. I am not likely to get the one right down the street but maybe an hour or so away. Unfortunately It seems all of the branches say the same thing, they have maybe 1 opening each FY and it goes fast... Active is just not an option for my family and I. 10 years ago I would of signed in a second. I will look further into the Army also!

Thank you for all of your comments in my threads! I really appreciate the information from someone who knows.

Hello! I have been interested in military nursing for more than half of my life and the military in general for almost ALL of my life. Unfortunately after I received my BSN and spoke with a Navy recruiter I was told I couldn't provide enough medical information (there wasn't any to be had- no history). The recruiter told me MEPS wouldn't even look at my paperwork and he would not even submit it because it basically was a waste of time. I realize now, after speaking with medical recruiters almost 10 years later, I was given the run around. I spoke with a Navy recruiter in December 2021 and they told me to contact them in October 2022 for the new year. While the AF wants me to begin my paperwork for the 2023 FY now because it will take a few months. Is this normal? Should I be starting Navy paperwork as well for the FY2023? I feel like I am behind with my paperwork for the Navy and am afraid they will tell me the spot is taken on October 1st because someone had their paperwork ready before then. Should I push the recruiter for the paperwork or begin the process October 1st? I spoke with them last year in early December and the spot was taken already.... this makes me nervous. I have been wanting to be in the Navy specifically for such a long time. I haven't ruled out other military options but the Navy feels right (always has) and I like what they have to offer more in regards to training, travel, and experiences.

This shift is much easier, for my family. I may not have been able to put my 2 kids to bed every single night but I didn't have to pay for daycare. I had my father watch them for an hour until my husband came home. Then I began as nursing educator and had to change to daylight. Although I enjoy educating the schedule is not easy with 2 children and one about to start school.

I have always wanted to be in the military and for some unforeseen reasons I was told by a Navy recruiter I would never make it to MEPS and it would be a waste of time. Therefore I never pursued it. My reasons for becoming a nurse shot down in an instant. Now 8 years have passed, two children and a husband, + MSN, and 10+ years nursing experience later, I decided to look into it once more. To my utter surprise I find I am not too old. But now I am curious about Military Nurse life with an already established family. This decision was a no brainer when I was 18 and even 22 (when I met my now husband). But now we have children and things are more complicated in regards to me being away for long periods of time. Which is why the Reserves is where I am aiming for now. If you have experience in this please share your stories.

I am following this thread because I have the same questions. Although I have my MSN already and would like to know the benefits of this, if any.