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Hi Kayla, It is very difficult to find a staff nurse position in Hawaii without having connections, even more so without a BSN. Tripler does not hire new grads and does not have a new grad program. So, military spouse preference will get you no where in Hawaii...other states yes...but not Hawaii. Where do you plan to complete your BSN? If you get it in Hawaii, then you may have a better chance of getting a job as a new grad since some of your professors may have connections and you'll be doing your clinicals in local hospitals. Also, many managers who hire new grads give preference to the school they like better. Probably not what you wanted to hear, but enjoy your time in Hawaii!

It's not written anywhere or officially acknowledged that as a spouse you get an edge. But you are interviewing with a real person and real people are reviewing your application. So, being a spouse and being experienced with military life can give you an edge. During my chief nurse interview he acknowledged my spouse status and felt that some of the questions were irrelevant because I'm familiar with military life. I think your biggest hurdle will be not having experience. It's easier to go in fully qualified. But new grads are accepted. Good luck!

I suggest going to the hospital and looking for the manager and just introduce yourself. It will show that you have initiative and are truly interested. I had one manager tell me that she would be impressed if someone actually did that. What have you been doing since graduation? Have you done any medically related volunteer work? Red Cross? Nursing home? Nursery? Also, if you want to go into L&D you can get NRP certified. You could also do ACLS. Of course, that's if you have money to spare. Getting those certifications can be expensive if you're not working. Good luck to you!

I can't believe they're giving you a hard time about the LASIK. I had LASIK done and had no records because the place I did it went out of business. So MEPS referred me to an ophthalmologist and SG cleared me. Your recruiter should be able to tell you how many slots are available for ICU. My recruiter gave me that information when I started my application process. Maybe you can update your personal statement or get new or additional references to make your application stronger. Good luck to you.

I am an Army spouse and have been licensed for almost 7 years, but in that time I've only accumulated a few months short of three years experience. However, I chose to move back home each time my husband deployed, which is why I have so little experience. Nowadays it can be pretty difficult for new grads to secure positions especially if you are in a place where there is a limited number of hospitals. I was also in Hawaii and it can be very difficult to get a job there as a new grad if you don't have connections. So, military spouse preference will not be to your benefit in a location such as that. They just want experienced hospital nurses period. However, I was also in Washington state and was offered two positions in military facilities and at that time I only had a few months experience. I believe my status as a spouse gave me an edge there. So basically, it just depends on where you are and the luck of the draw. Just apply everywhere you can and get any experience you can (paid or unpaid) and it never hurts to mention that you are a spouse because you never know who's looking at your application and sees hiring you as a way of serving their country. Good luck to you and keep us updated on how it goes :)

I'm reading all of the responses to your post and it can be very confusing.I don't know the answer to your question. But I have a few words of advice. Being a single mom and a nurse will be difficult whether you're a civilian or military...being a single mom in and of itself is difficult.But I've discovered that it never hurts to ask or try, the worst they can do is say no.My husband is active duty Arny enlisted. I'm about to become commissioned Air Force. Enlisted life is very different from being an officer, especially a medical officer. And AF and Navy life is very different from the Army.So, basically, my best guess is that being a single parent shouldn't be a problem. If you have a family care plan, you should be fine. Best of luck to you!

I agree, once you're in and in med/surg, I'm doubtful about your chances of switching.I started out in Mother/Baby for a few months and then I got a NICU job and have been doing NICU and/or nursery since.Good luck. I'm sure everything will work out for the best.

Hmm...that's a tough question, since you're already an alternate. But I'll give you my two cents worth since I am a NICU nurse and will be heading to COT in March.Fact is, it's almost February. If you are lucky enough to land a NICU job as a new grad and haven't yet been selected for the AF, I say, stay at your NICU job for at least a year then reapply to he AF as fully qualified, that way you'll be able to go into he AF in your specialty.If you're selected as an alternate, then go in because your in...then you can try to move into NICU from there.Fact is, it's difficult nowadays to get a job as a new grad and even more difficult to get a NICU job as a new grad.I would also try maternal/child health or L&D, if you can't get NICU because then your transition to NICU will be easier.Good luck! Keep us posted.

Are you currently working in maternal/child health? I believe it's easier to choose your specialty if you have experience in the area you want to go into...and it would be better to have a minimum of one year experience. One year of civilian experience equals one year of military experience.You can do an Internet search for military pay grade charts to see what your monthly base pay will be as an O-1. But remember that's your base pay...your taxable pay. You'll get untamable extras for housing and other extras.I say go for it...it's worth a try. You have to commit for a minimum of three years that will hopefully go by quickly (if you absolutely hate it). You'll continue to get experience and it will look good on your resume if you choose to return to the civilian world.Good luck and let us know how it turns out!

My husband is active duty Army enlisted and I applied to the Air Force with the plan of my husband separating from the Army upon my entry into the Air Force? However, due to circumstances my husband reenlisted and I was not planning on going military anymore.Long story short, I didn't pull my app in time, was accepted to go but to a different duty station than my husband. But the AF has since changed my duty station so that we can be together. But that's because my job description was there.As far as deployments, I don't know. My husbands new job will not be deplorable, thankfully.So basically, it all just depends on your individual situations. But it never hurts to ask what is possible. And once you commit to the military, be prepared for anything because, as you know, their needs come first.

To be quite honest with you, it sounds to me like you might find bedside nursing more fulfilling. In my limited experience I rarely saw NPs at the bedside unless we solicited their assistance. And of course, when they did their assessments. But it really sounds to me like you'd enjoy doing routine cares and interacting with families on a regular basis. Once you get more experience, I'm sure you'll be better able to make a final decision. You could always remain a staff nurse and use your advanced degree to teach. Just a thought.

Is it an option to slow down your pursuit of the DNP? It sounds like you're putting a lot of pressure on yourself. And, from experience, it's not easy to manage a marriage long distance. If you're willing to postpone your DNP, you can try securing a position in Peds, Mother-Baby, or Labor and Delivery and then eventually transfer to NICU internally.Good luck!

Having a med-surg background is helpful because it gave you a solid background in nursing. I'm assuming you understand the rationales, etc behind the tasks you performed and understand the disease processes. So, you shouldn't have a problem because you have a strong base.I would suggest Handbook of Neonatal Intensive Care (Merenstein & Gardner). NANN (National Association of Neonatal Nurses) has some good resources. And I would highly suggest taking the S.T.A.B.L.E. Learner Course. Although, depending on where you are it could be difficult to find.But don't spend too much money, until you're sure it's what you want to do. And if you get a NICU job they may provide you with a lot of those learning opportunities and materials without cost to you.Even with med-surg experience you should get a full 3-month orientation to NICU.Good luck!

I worked on a unit that used probiotics. I wasn't there that long, but we still had patients who developed NEC, perfed and developed obstructions.It can also be difficult to administer. If you're not careful it will plug up your OG/NG tubing.

I wouldn't say that I'm experienced, but I've been in NICU for more than a year (although it's over a span of several years and several jobs).But everyone has those days, it's just the nature of our job. It sounds like you did a great job and persevered. And your best learning experiences come from days like this. I bet you'll be twice as diligent about monitoring your IVs and tube feeds and you won't have something like that happen again for quite a while. As far as the nit picky report taker, there's one of those every where. But you'll also see as time progresses that you'll be able to answer many, if not all, of her questions. It may be annoying, but she's providing you with a good learning experience. Make note of those questions she asked you and go home and look up the answer. That way you'll no the rationale behind your daily activities.And, finally, at the end of the day it shows that you are a good nurse because you are reflecting on your day and thinking about what you can do to improve.Hope this helps. Good luck.