LiveWithIntention

I feel like I have searched all I can on this topic, and I just want an honest, straight answer from people who have been there... When you deploy to places like Iraq or Afghanistan, how safe do honestly feel? What are the dangers exactly? I fully understand that when you decide to join the military as a nurse, there are dangers. Country comes before self. I am passionate about it, but I also like having a general idea of what to expect so I can be mentally prepared as I can for it. For example, if it is common to constantly hear fighting and explosions all day long, I want to know that. I want to mentally train myself for it so I can go over there and be the best nurse that I can be. I'm not trying to offend anyone. I realize that there are dangers, I just want to know what kind.

Thank you so much for your help. I really appreciate it. You have been so helpful. This is something I have always wanted to do and I'm very passionate about it. However, right now I'm still trying to figure out if it's a logical decision. I have a boyfriend of 4 years, and we plan on getting married right after we graduate college in about 2 years. He's an engineering major, and we're not really sure how that's going to work out with all of this. I am also extremely close to my family, and they're not very supportive of this decision. There are also some family health concerns right now, and I'm not sure if I should leave them. I don't want to regret not pursuing my dreams. Regret is the worst feeling. But I also don't want to regret leaving my family and putting strain on relationships. This can either turn out to be the best decision I've ever made, or the worst. I'm just trying to gather as much information as I can so I can make the right decision.

I'm sorry to hear about all of the changes at Willford Hall... I hope everything works out for you when that happens. Whenever you said, "I see everyone - active, retired, and dependents. All of them have their own story to tell, and I love taking care of all of them. The active folks are often heartbreakingly young, the retirees are treasures, and the dependents followed and stood by their spouses during their careers, sometimes decades long." --you are so right, and I love how you worded that. I think I would love taking care of all of them. It would be an honor. I have such a passion for nursing, and a whole lot of care to give. This is exactly where I want to be using it. I'll be sure to talk to a health professions recruiter. When is the best time to contact them? I'm only 20 years old right now, and I still have 2 more years until I earn my BSN. (can't wait!) Do you think it's best to gain experience (like 6 months or a year) beforehand? I feel like I'm kinda in an awkward place right now.

Renee4christ and carolinapooh, Thank you so much for the replies. You have been very helpful! I prefer working in an intensive or critical care type setting. However, as long as I am working with soldiers, I am pretty much willing to work anywhere. So when I am not deployed and working at a base hospital somewhere, which branch would I work with the most soldiers? Or does this just depend on the hospital itself? Carolinapooh, is the Air Force currently deploying for 6 months? I have been trying to make this decision for over a year now, and I still can't make up my mind! I don't know why I'm so torn between the branches. I feel like there is so much information that I don't know. Like I said, I've always had a huge facination with the Air Force. I also like the option of being a flight nurse. (I don't know if that is something I would do, but I like having the option) I also have a good friend that is currently a student at the USAFA. I don't talk to him much anymore, but awhile ago he told me to definitely go Air Force. However, I understand that he is biased. Any more information that you guys would happen to have reguarding each branch, I would love to hear about it :) Thank you again for your help! I really appreciate it. Oh, and I have one last question (sorry if I'm bombarding you!) I have never talked to a recruiter before. I am very skeptical of them. How does talking with a recruiter even work? Do I have to drive to their office, or do I just speak with them over the phone? I much prefer talking in person, but I understand if that is asking for too much!

Hi :) I'm new. This is by far the best forum for military nursing that I have ever came across. I am currently a nursing student (20 yrs old), and I graduate in 2 years with my BSN from a great program. I have always been intrested in military nursing, but I know very little about it. I started researching it about a year ago, but I still feel like I have tons of unanswered questions. I'm not even quite sure which branch I am most intreseted in. I've always had a huge facination with the Air Force, but that doesn't necessarily mean that it's right for me. I was a competitive swimmer for 12 years and I love being around water, especially the ocean. I like the idea of the Navy. The Army also catches my attention because (from what it seems) when they are deployed they get to help the most soldiers. But.. I am kinda drawn away from the Army because of their long deployments. Don't get me wrong, I want to be over there to contribute and help out, but that is a very long time. I am leaning towards Air Force or Navy. I have heard that Air Force has nicer facilities and treats their people better, but I've also read that the Navy gets to travel more. Most importantly, I just want to become a military nurse and serve our soldiers. I've determined that this is what I want to do with my life. Can anyone lead me in the right direction as to which branch would be best for me? Also, is every branches contract the same length? Oh, and I forgot to mention that I would like to go Active Duty.