wumpus

Apocryphal at best. Even the Army, which usually has a difficult time recruiting and retaining medical professionals, is full to the brim. As with most careers there are certain environments wherein you can find work -- rural, inner city etc. Unfortunately, I think those opportunities may also dry up considering the amount of nurses being produced every year. We have over 60 graduating every semester in our area (metro

seriously contemplated the MD route when I was rearranging my life / career goals -- I applied and was accepted at a few post-bac rural MD feeder programs (WWAMI). Decided on being the nurse because it was cheaper, and it gave me the intellectual and career flexibility that I (and my family) was looking for. Sometimes I have second thoughts; however, my primary MD always says that FNP / PA is the best job -- and that you would have to have a hole in your head to go to med-school.

In my experience the health professions, unlike my former career of engineering, have very little age discrimination. Also, I have had several comments made by colleagues and managers stating they truly appreciate the perspective that career changers bring to nursing.

All of the previous posts have great points. You might also try and get a look at some of the bases (hospitals) before deciding on a branch. FYI, as a former Army enlisted I am always prone to say -- GO ARMY!

Attempting to work while attending an accelerated program can be detrimental to your health... and grades. A traditional program is going to take you at least 4 semesters + 2 summer sessions (where I attended). Also, have you done any nurse shadowing or volunteered at a hospital? I know it can be hard to find extra time for volunteer work when you're making career changes, but I always tell everyone thinking of going into nursing that they should try and get as much exposure to 'real' world nursing before they take the leap. Good luck with your decisions. p.s. Don't go into nursing for the "stability" and the money, I know several unemployed nursing classmates.

CSU Sac! Especially if you want to try for the "new" FNP / PA programs gearing up at UC Davis. I should mention that am biased against the Bay Area. Before nursing I was an software engineer in the Bay Area and got 'dot-bombed' during the late 90's. Didn't really like the job or location too much anyway. Congratulations and Good Luck!

I'm not too worried about finances, we have a fairly frugal but fun lifestyle. My son and I are excited, however my wife is not -- funny considering she is fluent. I think it has something to do with Hawaiian, Portuguese, and Japanese tensions in Hawaii. I'm am trying to get stationed where my son will have lots to see and do -- so I guess anywhere is Japan will suffice for that purpose.

Does anyone have experience with stationing at Naval hospitals in Japan? There is a good chance that my first overseas deployment will be in Japan -- so I would like to get some first hand knowledge about the bases. If I have a choice of duty stations in Japan which one is considered the 'best' i.. Yokosuka , Sasebo etc..? Also, I will PCS with wife and 11 y/o son, and my wife speaks Japanese. Thanks!

Greetings Navy nurses! What is the standard rank progression for Navy nurses? I have 4 years active army with a MA in psychology and am getting BSN next fall. I know that promotion has much to do with not being a screwup and good performance in hard positions. All things being equal, how much time in rank should I expect before promotion? Thanks, Thomas

Does anyone know what the general length of time a nurse's first duty station is? I am pulling for San Diego -- I have heard the first rotation at SD is usually a year. Also, is it possible to ask for back to back overseas assignments in the same area i.e. Yokosuka then Okinawa? Thanks "Learning all this Navy doctrine is killing me... I'm just a combat engineer."

Greetings! I am former Army (21B) going into the Navy NCP this fall. My wife and I are trying to decide on our dream sheet for overseas stationing. I am hoping for San Diego for the first duty station, but I will go wherever the Navy needs (anywhere is better than Fort Leonard Wood). We would like to go overseas for our second post. My son and I want somewhere in Japan and my wife wants Italy or the UK. Has anyone on the boards had experience with bases in those regions? Also, is it possible to get stationed in Diego Garcia with dependents? Thanks "One-half of knowing what you want is knowing what you must give up before you get it."

Good luck with the application process! I am always impressed that even during wartime there are still people in this country willing to serve. I am also looking at one of the NCPs. I was in the Army before returning to school for nursing (21B); but I am leaning towards the Navy at this time. LCDR Dan -- Have you ever been stationed at Yokosuka are anywhere else in Japan for that matter? Thanks "One-half of knowing what you want is knowing what you must give up before you get it."