khinlicky

Thanks! I looked at Air Guard too, but they said they were full in my area. If you don't mind, could you give me some ideas of the things you did that helped make you a good candidate? I mean, anything other than the usual stuff that makes people look good to employers. I'm not sure there's anything in particular that the military likes to see.

Hey guys, I'm highly interested in joining either the Air Force reserves or Navy reserves. From everything I've read (haven't heard back from a recruiter yet), it sounds like a nurse can be direct commissioned into the reserves without prior active duty service. Is this true? Please note that my interest in the reserves is not because I wish to dodge deployment. The idea of deployment is actually quite exciting, I haven't ruled out active duty, however I'm looking into the reserves first because of my particular life situation right now. If a direct commission is possible, is it particularly difficult competitive? More competitive than active duty? Any idea how long it takes to go through the process? Thanks!

I'm looking at becoming a navy reserve nurse after I get my BSN and I'm wondering about the specific type of role I would be expected to fill. In reading about the roles of commissioned officers, it sounds like they are more like upper management. I'm just wondering how this works in nursing. Do officers fulfill the roles of nurse and/or nurse manager? Do management positions only come with promotions? I haven't talked with a recruiter and I'm just wondering if anyone here has any info. Thanks!

most male nurses I've run into have been quite manly. I don't perceive it as being girly, I just figure they wanted to get into a line of work that paid well and had a lot of flexibility and opportunity, same as me. Honestly, I'm quite thrilled when male nurses are around because they can lift better than I can. I wouldn't rule out dating a guy just because he's a nurse either. That being said, I have run into many male nurses that don't have the compassion and interest in their patients that females do, and I feel that is a no-go. I think if you are wondering about women finding you attractive as a male nurse...if you do your job and actually care about your patients and act appropriately, you will get the respect you have earned. And respect is everything when it comes to attractiveness. What is NOT attractive to ANY woman EVER is when a young male nurse thinks its okay to put off (for example) cleaning up a patient because he is "busy" doing something else. Do not be lazy, do not neglect your patients. If you're looking for someone to have a long term relationship with, these are the types of things that you can expect a woman to consider. If you're just looking to see how many young women will find you hot and want to sleep with you...then just a pretty face will do. If you want to know how female patients feel about their male nurses, then just know that they want you to do your job and not screw them up. The majority of female patients you'll run into in the hospital will be decades older than you, anyway. I'm 30, was married for 5 years, and I appreciate men that are respectful and give a damn. If what you're looking for is an actual adult relationship, then any female worth her salt will feel the same.

Hello, I don't know if someone has asked this question yet, but do the reserves require a certain amount of work experience as a nurse before applying?

Agreed. This isn't the military. Respect is earned, but decent people will also give respect because it's the proper thing to do.

Thanks for the replies, they've been encouraging. She's actually an RT. Maybe some people might not have taken her comment personally, but for someone who isn't even a nurse to say (publicly) that she wouldn't want me to be her nurse actually made me feel worse than if she were one. That someone who doesn't even work in the field (even though she's around nurses a lot) could see that I'm not cut out for it. Anyway, we certainly have not spoken since and I don't intend to ever talk to her again unless I have to for work purposes. Honestly, I let it slide because we were at the nurse's station and I didn't want to call attention to what she said. And I was also too shocked to respond right away.

I'm still in nursing school and have about a year to go. The hospital where I work as an aid has started a new program where nursing students can apply for a special position where we can work as aids but also perform some nursing responsibilities under the supervision of an RN (catheters, IVs, etc. things that we have been checked off on in nursing school). I just took on this role and was quite excited about it. They gave us new nametags so everyone can identify us and ask us for help with work. Keep in mind, i've already worked here for over a year as just an aid so I already know all the people on my unit. The other day I was standing at the nurses station when a woman walked by who I have always gotten along with. She did a double take when she saw my nametag and then turned to someone and said (with an attitude), "she would never be my nurse. never." and then walked away. Needless to say, it was both embarrassing and crushing (and stunning, because I thought we were friends.) I don't even like the idea of relaying this story to anyone, but I think it's important. When I think about the kind of reactions i get from a lot of nurses when I mention that I'm getting an ADN, they don't seem impressed. I get the feeling that they don't have a lot of confidence in me. I do not think that I am as smart as most of the RNs that i work with, but I am a hard worker and have hoped that, with time and practice, by the time I graduate I will be capable of doing an RNs job. I'm aware that it is very serious work taking care of people and while I may not be as clever as some people, I am cautious and I care about my patients. But sometimes other people know things you don't know yourself, and when someone who knows you says they wouldn't want you as their nurse, that's pretty serious. I'm just looking for some input from people who have experience. The idea of becoming a bad nurse, or a nurse that no one respects, makes me nauseous.