Questions about choices

[conrnmof2]

Hello: Do you get to put your top 3 choices every time you re-enlist or is that just considered when you first join?

There are a lot of questions about children and deployement and that part will be hard, but I am wondering how life is for your family on the different post? Are there good schools, neighborhoods, etc......Hence, why I am asking my first question.

Thank you all very much.

[just_cause, BSN, RN]

you don't re-enlist as a commissioned officer.

family life can be great on post/base... some better then others.

With children you need a spouse that is supportive.. or other 'caretaker'.

generally when you progress in rank you might get told where to go, you might have some input... plan on the worst and not having input rather then being disappointed. In general if you go in understanding and not being 'tied' down to a specific state/post you can really enjoy having the military move you and your family around if you embrace that idea up front.

v/r

[conrnmof2]

Thank you for the information. I really do appreciate it.

[just_cause, BSN, RN]

For ex. as a 'new' nurse the Army will typically send you to one of the 7 medical centers.. so you can look at those and see if those are locations of interest as there is a high likelyhood you'll be at one of those locations given the density of nurses within hospitals.. that is an idea to just see if you feel comfortable in those geo areas.. Next you can imagine that after first duty assignment you'll probably be stationed there for the first 4-5 years and probably gain a schooling followed by perhaps captains career course - or specialty course, return to initial duty station for a bit and then captains career course followed by new location.

[wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

Also, the more specialized you are the more restricted your choices will be on where you can go.

[conrnmof2]

My background is med/surg, telemetry, CIC, and NICU, and a little of community nursing. Jack of all trades master of none ))). I want to do the critical care course (even though I spent 2 1/2 years in the NICU, I like adult intensive care better). Let me know if I have this right, that you get assigned to 66H (med/surg) and then go to a course and get an identifier 8A (critical care). I went through a critical care program years ago and it was 3 months long in the civilian world, but that was years ago..............Hoping that isn't too specialized.........From your name, I am guessing you are a CRNA student. My friend just finished in the civilian world and is loving it. Hope it is going well for you. Is the military paying for that for you? How do you like being a nurse in the military?

Should I get my ACLS and PALS while I am waiting? I have had all of these courses before, but with my time off from nursing I didn't keep up with them.

Thank you again.