Canan

first of: as a nurse you'd be a Ltn. 1 or 2 (depending on your degree; A.S. or B.S.) and very unlikely in 'theater', more likely in some place like in Kuwait, Saudia, or Germany. And that's "if" since you're in ICU, what do you think it's going to take the average DOD patient to 'reach' ICU in combat medicine :-/ seriously no pun intended? Your opposition to the war, it is not of matter to the service. Your service is to the forces or any other pts that may come in (sometimes enemy), if you can look at it as a challenge and a test of your "faith" then you should be fine. Believe you me, I'm totally opposed to this 'war', too, and trust me most of the participants will be sooner or later, too (with the exception of the hardcore imbecillies, of course ;-D, but you have to make a decision for yourself. I'm already there! hooha and Good luck!

It's going to work out, don't worry!

(imagine Schwarzenegger's voice and accent): "I have detailed files..." about Tripler, Kaiser Permanente, St. Francis L. and West, Queens and almost all of the other hospitals on the Island of Ohau. I lived and worked there for 5 yrs. and was treated in some of the hospital, so I had the rather rare oportunity to see it from both ends... Blatantly: as a new nurse/physician etc. Tripler (TARMC) is probably a nice playground, especially since active duty personel and their 'dependants' can't technically sue you, so your liability insurance might be not so much of a necessity than an option. I give you a clue: we used to call it "crippler" during very tired and sarcastic nights and though there are some really really good nurses, practitioners, and physicians there, some can be a real menance (I know personally of at least three cases that are in my opinion bordering on neglect, abuse, and malpractice respectively, but you can check it for yourself here - a study of military hospitals http://my.acep.org/site/PageServer?pagename=wp1_state_map_hawaii). In my opinion Kaiser Permanente's ICU is one of the most exceptional ones I've seen. Catholic St. Francis West and Pali Momi (which is the Aiea branch of Kapiolani's) is also a very good place in regard to working conditions etc. The nurses here are EXCELLENT especially in re: teaching. Queen's is state of the art!!! Once you work there, everything else seems so 20th century... Good luck!

Jim; thank you for your response , you have good points.

amanda: do you need to take medications on a regular basis for the eczema? misty thank you for your input.

Is a waiver possible for reserve or guard opportunities?

EMT-I, A.A.; Lt. hopefull