tprkt

Thanks jfratian I totally understand that military life and civilian life are vastly different and that the basic officers training will not get everything firmly rooted on how the military wants things done. Plus (i'm sure that) some people get a big head about rank and try to show off, I'm just a humble, non-self horn tooting guy who wants to "right a self-proclaimed wrong" by not serving my county at an earlier age. My co-worker got back with me and she joined the Army Nurse corps, still waiting hear on why she choose the Army over Navy or AF. As for the AF, my civilian goal is to be a flight nurse, so that would be right up my alley, although I have read other posts on this site saying that it is difficult to obtain in the AF. But this all preliminary, just trying to do my due diligence about researching all the possible angles of the various nurse corps before I commit to one over the others, and who knows, I may not get selected anyway so this could just a waste of time...thanks, I appreciate the response

Wow, I have 9 tattoo's and looking for my next one and I have 3 Bachelor of Science degrees, Biology, Criminal Justice and Nursing...making a statement like that shows me that you are trash or lowly educated or just grew up in a bubble or under a rock... There are many nurses and Md's who have tattoo's and I work in a Catholic hospital system. But to answer the original question: all of mine are upper arm plus, 1 in upper middle of my back and right pectoral muscle. To get a full-sleeve for your "first" tattoo, I'd start with an area that is easily covered just to make sure you like your design and can "handle" the rigors of getting a tattoo. I know many people who started small and became hooked...Tattoo's can be addictive but (for the most part) are permanent, just be sure you live with the design and go to a reputable shop. Visit it first, make sure everything that is used is new, etc... There are many "bad" shops out there but a lot of really good ones, do your research!

I should have used "if my skills are in demand" not necessarily "needed"... My main thought of posting this was to try and obtain those who have gone into a branch of nursing corps and what they learned/liked or disliked about the different branches of nursing corps... still trying find the real differences between all of them. Appreciate your comments, thanks.

Pressed the space bar and it cut off my reply I have heard of a co-worker who was recently sworn into the Army Nurse Corps and I have reached out to her via email, still waiting to hear back so I can hear the steps she went through, etc... As for paying for uni's and such, that truly doesn't bother me, I've had to do that before for other jobs & received a 1x stipend to do so. And I totally "get" you on the age thing... Again, thanks for the info, I'll eventually post back when I actually decide or "have it decided for me", if not able to obtain a waiver

thanks for the reply Pixie, So what you are saying is that if "my skills are needed" than I probably will not receive a waiver, is that right? And that the Military only gives you credit for 6mos for a full year worked, that's strange to me, but it is the gov't... My BSN was from a CCNE accredited program.

So I have read quite a few of the threads on this site about people interested in entering Military Nursing and the various website for Air Force, Navy and Army Nursing Corps. When it comes to my career decisions, I tend to research a lot before deciding, but I am new to the military aspect of careers, hence this post. So some background: I am interested in joining a nursing corps as a reservist (I have not narrowed my interest to one over another). I am at the higher end of the age scale (44 & many people keep telling me that "waivers" are available), I have worked approx. 1.5 years on a medical/surgical floor and currently just over 1 year in an Adult Medical ICU. My BSN is my 3rd (yes, 3rd) Bachelors degree (Biology and Criminal Justice), and I am thinking of trying to obtain my CCRN certification. And before anyone asks, I am in decent shape for a 44yoa, I currently practice Brazilian Jiu-jitsu with a 2-stripe brown belt to my name and with work, I am able to train 2-4 days a week with active rolling of approx. 45minutes to an hour. Yes, I am married (just celebrated 20years this year) but kids are 4-legged and furry. -Also I totally get the possibility of being "called" to active duty and being deployed, especially with all the terrorist things that have been happening of late. -I have contacted the Army Nurse Corps and been contacted by the local (Indiana) Medical Recruiter (although we have not yet spoken with each other). This was before I learned of the Navy and Air Force nursing corps. My question: It seems to me that most, if not all have similar sign-on bonuses, nursing school loan repayments and required time commitments (between 3-6 years). And as I am not "hung-up" on one branch over another, can those that are reservists or have-been reservists RN's tell me the pro's and con's of each? Also, correct or not - with the medical reserves, you will enter as an officer? And does each branch supply uniforms, needed equipment? *Any and all information about medical reservists will be very helpful, I thank you all in advance.

Jnandawa - I have worked for just over a year and a half in a Medical ICU and during my performance review a couple of weeks ago, I was informed that I could take the CCRN exam. That it is based on the number of hours worked so it was explained to me that working full-time for a year will qualify me to take it, Just check with a supervisor to find out for sure and you should be golden!

IMO, if you want to become an RN, go for it! But you have to take somethings into consideration like job outlook upon graduation, since every tom, dick and harry have a nursing program, will there be openings for new RN's. Also, as someone else mentioned, the cost of nursing school with books, uniforms and study time. Do you have a family, do you enjoy spending time with them, if you begin nursing school, your time to spend with them will be shortened. And with cost, will you be needing a loan? You have to look at cost vs amount of money you will make upon graduation and obtaining a position. Although the feds do not mind loaning out money, they do require you pay it back..will the amt you make as a new RN be work that payment and will your salary minus that loan payment be more than you are making currently? Cost of living goes up, but you may not receive a raise every year...just stuff to think about.

YES!! I work in a teaching hospital, so we have medical students, interns, residents and attendings, so as few as 4 or as many as 7 or 8 people sitting at the nurses station with 5 computers. They are like a flock of birds when a person throws down bird seed at the park, then precede to sit at all the computers and use all the chairs talking about what-the-heck-ever topics while we (the nurses) have to go into an empty room or pt rooms to chart. And Heaven-forbid they put charts back after they are finished rounding or throw away old coffee cups...guess common courtesy isn't so common anymore.

If someone wrote earlier, this is a private website and they make the rules...well, there has to be enforcement of the rules for people to follow. Does everyone read the "terms" when they join every site, hell no! They are joining for a specific reason and could care less whether their use of a title is "allowed or not". I know what I went through to earn my RN degree, so "NO" I would not want someone to use a nursing title in their user name if they have not earned the right. (my two cents)

I work in Critical Care and the unit now has ceiling lifts in every room, very convient for patient turns. The floor I worked on previously only have a few rooms with lifts installed, you had to find a buddy to help you move your patients, which can be time consuming. The focus it seems is to limit the strain on the body for nurses, at least in our hospital. I know of two co-workers who both injured their backs when turning "heavy" patients, both required the same surgery, 1 was medically retired and the other came back to work and left for a less-body taxing position in an allergist office. With that being said, a lot if it falls onto the individual nurse, if you stay in shape you are less likey to injure yourself, but if don't, then you will be at a higher risk of injury. I know it is hard for me to take heathcare professionals seriously when they themselves are not in shape and they tell their patients that they need to get into shape...guess "do as I say and not as I do" is running rampant in the heathcare system these days.

Well, I started my nursing school when I was 41, so far I have worked 1.5yrs on a med/surg floor and have worked in Critical Care for just over a year. For me, going back to nursing school at an older age helped as I had extensive life experience to assist me in time management while taking a full course load along with clinicals during the day and working full-time nights. And I wasn't the oldest in my nursing class but I was one of the older ones.