LT Dave

Hi, I am in Miami VISN 8. Been at Buffalo VA also. I LOVE my job and working here. Here are some things to remember. Incidents creat policy Every one I know who has ever left the VA system always come back or spends the rest of thier time trying too.

At 21 you can't be burned out-- maybe very frustrated. Nursing has so many different areas to work it. You need to find your nich in life. Once you have some experience you can gert out of the patient care buisness. I just met some nurses representing the new Cardiac Monitors we bought for our ER. They are young and love traveling and teaching other nurses. You can work for a drug company. There are many oppertunities for nurses outside of patient care. I was once a very misserable floor nurse. I loved the ICU and now the ER is my home.

I happen to be an ICU RN who is now in the ER. My experience has given me a great advantage over the rest of the staff. There are now 3 of us who worked in the SICU and MICU before going ER and we stand out from all the others. ICU experience make CODES and all other Medical Emergencies 2nd nature for you to treat. You are on auto pilot and know what to do with out having anxiety. After you can handle ICU the rest is easy. The ER is more frustrating, but I find all the different situations interesting. Good luck.

Well if hubby is ARMY and he likes it you may like it also. If you went Airforce and he was ARMY you two would NEVER be together again. Good luck.

Air Force to the ARMY? Now I've heard everything...(from a Navy Nurse)

In The Navy Reserves you are requiered to pass the PRT every 6 month. It is up to you to keep the fat off and stay in shape. The Navy can't force you but can toss you out. Believe me it can be a big problem for people not in great shape. I am 42 and do very well with the PRT but always come close to the body fat count. But once you get there it is a heck of a motivator to stay in shape. I look much better then most my coworkers. Good luck.

Great post BUT the Navy and Air Force Offer the SAME oppertunities, not sure about the age waiver but all else is the same.

Not sure about the ARMY but in the Navy there is NO bonus after the original one, if offered. Once an officer it is for life, no expiration. If you want out in three years you resign your commission. If you go for 6 years it means you are obligated to do 6 years of pay back the money. You are not in for 3 years of 6 years like enlisted you are in until you resign. You are only obligated for that time period for the cash awards. I have a lot of friends in the ARMY and Navy, have you even spoken with an Officer from the Air Force? I would go for 3 years only, after that you may be looking to switch to the Air Force or Navy. The ARMY is a very honerable service, but you will earn that money Big Time! Good luck.

My friend an RT told me she had this room her and another RT would rest during their break late at night.. The male RT, Donald, was sitting across a table from her with his head resting on his folded arm leaning on the table and facing the door. The room was pretty dark and my friend Karen was reading when she noticed a mist forming by the door. Before she could react the mist formed into a figure of a nurse or nun looking person in white with a long shawl over her head. The apparition stood inside the room just looking at Karen and smiling. Karen noticed she ended at the waist, no legs or pelvis was visible. Karen was terrified and in a soft voice she called out to the other RT, "Donald?" and a little louder she called to wake him again, "Donald?". With out lifting his head he spoke up" I see her too Karen." The ghost faded away after a few moments and both agreed on what they had seen.

Well you are not too old. Law enforcement and health care are very different fields. I never had a problem with the role as "male nurse" I make very good $$ and get to do exciting things. I never regretted it. I just wish more males would get into the field, though it has improved. Remember this is a female dominated profession. If you are able to communicate well with women then go for it. If however you are not able to, which I have met many, then forgetaboutit. Otherwise good luck.

I had this rocket scientist call and tell me he bit his tongue and what should he do? After assuring him that salt water and mouth wash guargle would be good he called an hour later and still was worried. I told him to come in, wondering if anything might be wrong. He showed up with a small abrashion on his tongue. The doc took one look and told him he is fine.

When I was a student me and my buddy both wore white Dickies pants and white polo shirts with a military style white belt with the bright brass buckel. We also had black hemostate and scissor holders on our pant, like what an EMT would have. We looked pretty cole, people though we were saliors or something.

Shows the dirt? How about blood, urine, feces, secreations, IV fluids. Ever in a CODE before? Things tend to get very messy.

I would not wear that girlie scrubs. Wear a nice set of normal male colored scrubs and if any one give you trouble file an EEO complaint! I have a BLACK pair I wear in the ICU and ER on weekends. I do not even like the zRoyle blue scubs we wear in the unit so I wear green. White is not pratical. Lavender... :chuckle