Flight64

Kaylee, You are off to a great start. Yes, you can have many benefits from the military, it just depends on your specialty. I had years in Peds BMT, Adult Med Surg and ICU. When I joined the Air Force Reserve, I was commissioned as a 1LT promotable. I made Captain in one year! I was prior service Army (although my job in the Army had nothing to do with being a Nurse). I left the Nurse Corps after a few years in the Air Force and returned to the Army for deployment into the combat zone. Now I want to get back into the Nurse Corps but the field is swamped and the recruiters are not working hard to get the older RNs into service. You will have to work hard to get them to look at you now. You will have to attend a Nurse Corps OCS, take a physical fitness test and then you go to your first duty station. Then there are the deployments which are what you make of them. Don't worry, its all good, especially if you are young. You will enjoy it if you can get the recruiter to do your paperwork. Right now they will not even recognize prior service and years of experience. Good luck!

EmmyRN, Don't worry. In time you will get "faster". Unfortunately, being faster does not mean better. Doctors are just humans with a little more education. They deserve no more respect than the fireman or teacher. Unfortunately, your problem lies with nursing administration that allows someone so new to take 3 new admits in a critical care unit. Here's a few secrets. Attention to detail and time management. Get your stuff together before the shift. Don't wait until 15-20 minutes after your start. Ensure that your charting is accurate and complete and NEVER allow anyone to chart for you. Line out ANY open space after chart checks to keep those with less integrity from falsifying charting after you leave. Chart as you go, don't wait until the end of the shift. Give great nursing reports and expect them from others. Never-I mean NEVER, feel scared of calling a doctors after hours. They are in charge of the patient and if you have to wake them up so be it. If they do not want to be awakened then they should be in a different career. Continue your education and become the nurse manager so you can replace those who are less qualified and make the difference. Do not be afraid to ask others for help. Assert yourself and be positive. Never unionize. Stay away from unit gossip. Remember-always stick to your ideals and never become the "lazy" nurse.