Roll Call for all Military and VA Nurses and those considering the Service

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As the moderator for this forum ... I am interested to know where everyone is from, their background, branch of service (or VA VISN) and what they like the best about Military or VA Nursing .... this forum generally has some really good traffic, and I would like to pull all of us together and get to know one another a little better. :rolleyes:

Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
Hi.

I'm John Zitzelberger, CRNA, MSN, BSN, BA, formerly captain, US Army Nurse Corps, commissioned Sept 6, 1996, resigned commission Mar 2005.

I like working in the military medical environment because I find that it is a more colleagial atmosphere than many of the civilian ORs in which I worked (moonlighting) while on active duty. I have not worked in a civilian hospital since leaving the Army in Jan 2004.

I enjoy the autonomy I have as, effectively still, a military CRNA. I do regional and OB anesthesia all the time and have never had a military anesthesiologist jump me with the "doctor's perogative" argument. I have had that happen in civilian places, where 'ologists acted like they were doing me a favor to do my own spinals (I watched many of them flail -- too little experience, I say, for some of them).

The pay is just fine, especially as a contractor. For the military folks, they have greatly upped the bonuses -- at higher ranks you'll be making as much as many civilians, at least those in the southeast where the cost of living greatly increases your spendable income power.

I have found, true, many arrogant surgeons in the Army, too. The difference here is I won't be fired if I (politely) tell some a&^%*&^$ to go #$%^ himself. That would not happen in the civilian sector. I ask for and am treated with respect, and respected as a professional provider.

I'm now an independent contractor CRNA. I've been working at the Ft. Benning, (Columbus) Georgia, and Ft. Stewart, (Hinesville) Georgia, Army MEDDACs (smaller hospitals) since I got out in Jan 2004.

My last duty station was Ft. Benning, from Dec 99 to Jan 2004.

I trained in the US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing, class 02-97, graduated and passed boards in Dec 99. I did my phase I training at San Antonio, Ft. Sam Houston, the Army Medical Department Center & School (AMEDDC&S), like everyone else in the USAGPAN. I did my phase II training at William Beaumont Army Medical Center, Ft. Bliss, (El Paso) Texas.

I was a direct-commission (direct ascession) officer with a couple of years experience in CCU (a cardiac MICU) at St. Francis Hospital in Columbus, Georgia, from June 95 to Feb 97.

I was previously a newspaper reporter and photographer in Kingman, and Prescott, Arizona, before going to a BSN program at Columbus (GA) College -- now Columbus State University -- in 1992, graduated 1995.

I am an Army brat, alumnus of the University of Texas at El Paso, BA Journalism, class of 1990, alumnus of Moanalua High School, Honolulu, class of 82, and Ellison High School, Killeen, Texas, and a student of life and the world, which means I screwed around and had too much fun in high school and my first time through college.

I now work to live, not live to work. At least two or three times a year I take a scuba trip with a local club to someplace -- usually the Carribean -- warm and sandy. I still take photographs, but focus less on photojournalism and more on underwater photography.

I have been a Hash House Harrier, since 2000, which I will not explain -- look it up on the web. PM me for my hash name and info on the Columbus/Ft. Benning kennel.

I have learned that home is where you hang your hat (doesn't matter where you live), family is the only important thing (toys are fun, but blood is your only true support in this world), and when in doubt use hollow points (anything worth doing should be done right the first time).

Nice to meet y'all.

Hey John,

Nice to meet you, too. Welcome aboard! BTW, thanks for your military service... HOOAH! I'm curious as to why you did not consider the [RC], is it because the 66F Reserve Soldier is frequently mobilized? It is my understanding the boots on the ground time is only 90 days for the 66F Reserve Soldier.

Anyway, I enjoyed reading your bio and hope you post up often here.

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Hi.

I'm John Zitzelberger, CRNA, MSN, BSN, BA, formerly captain, US Army Nurse Corps, commissioned Sept 6, 1996, resigned commission Mar 2005.

I like working in the military medical environment because I find that it is a more colleagial atmosphere than many of the civilian ORs in which I worked (moonlighting) while on active duty. I have not worked in a civilian hospital since leaving the Army in Jan 2004.

I enjoy the autonomy I have as, effectively still, a military CRNA. I do regional and OB anesthesia all the time and have never had a military anesthesiologist jump me with the "doctor's perogative" argument. I have had that happen in civilian places, where 'ologists acted like they were doing me a favor to do my own spinals (I watched many of them flail -- too little experience, I say, for some of them).

The pay is just fine, especially as a contractor. For the military folks, they have greatly upped the bonuses -- at higher ranks you'll be making as much as many civilians, at least those in the southeast where the cost of living greatly increases your spendable income power.

I have found, true, many arrogant surgeons in the Army, too. The difference here is I won't be fired if I (politely) tell some a&^%*&^$ to go #$%^ himself. That would not happen in the civilian sector. I ask for and am treated with respect, and respected as a professional provider.

I'm now an independent contractor CRNA. I've been working at the Ft. Benning, (Columbus) Georgia, and Ft. Stewart, (Hinesville) Georgia, Army MEDDACs (smaller hospitals) since I got out in Jan 2004.

My last duty station was Ft. Benning, from Dec 99 to Jan 2004.

I trained in the US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing, class 02-97, graduated and passed boards in Dec 99. I did my phase I training at San Antonio, Ft. Sam Houston, the Army Medical Department Center & School (AMEDDC&S), like everyone else in the USAGPAN. I did my phase II training at William Beaumont Army Medical Center, Ft. Bliss, (El Paso) Texas.

I was a direct-commission (direct ascession) officer with a couple of years experience in CCU (a cardiac MICU) at St. Francis Hospital in Columbus, Georgia, from June 95 to Feb 97.

I was previously a newspaper reporter and photographer in Kingman, and Prescott, Arizona, before going to a BSN program at Columbus (GA) College -- now Columbus State University -- in 1992, graduated 1995.

I am an Army brat, alumnus of the University of Texas at El Paso, BA Journalism, class of 1990, alumnus of Moanalua High School, Honolulu, class of 82, and Ellison High School, Killeen, Texas, and a student of life and the world, which means I screwed around and had too much fun in high school and my first time through college.

I now work to live, not live to work. At least two or three times a year I take a scuba trip with a local club to someplace -- usually the Carribean -- warm and sandy. I still take photographs, but focus less on photojournalism and more on underwater photography.

I have been a Hash House Harrier, since 2000, which I will not explain -- look it up on the web. PM me for my hash name and info on the Columbus/Ft. Benning kennel.

I have learned that home is where you hang your hat (doesn't matter where you live), family is the only important thing (toys are fun, but blood is your only true support in this world), and when in doubt use hollow points (anything worth doing should be done right the first time).

Nice to meet y'all.

I fully enjoyed meeting you. I MIGHT apply to the Army CRNA program next year. Not sure.

91CRN

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Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.
As the moderator for this forum ... I am interested to know where everyone is from, their background, branch of service (or VA VISN) and what they like the best about Military or VA Nursing .... this forum generally has some really good traffic, and I would like to pull all of us together and get to know one another a little better. :rolleyes:

Is is possible for a civilian CRNA to volunteer for a short term commitment to military hospitals abroad?

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
Hey John,

Nice to meet you, too. Welcome aboard! BTW, thanks for your military service... HOOAH! I'm curious as to why you did not consider the [RC], is it because the 66F Reserve Soldier is frequently mobilized? It is my understanding the boots on the ground time is only 90 days for the 66F Reserve Soldier.

Anyway, I enjoyed reading your bio and hope you post up often here.

Nahh. I was never deployed anywhere, despite multiple attempts to do so. They had their chance to deploy me. I even volunteered several times. Most of my classmates have deployed two and three times, so far. But, I'm either unlucky or lucky, depending upon how you view it. These days, I'm staying close to my parents as they get older, and FTA.

I got tired of being on the fat boy program, tired of being on some clipboard s*&^head's s*&^list, tired of the politics. Now, I have the best of both worlds: I get to take care of soldiers, get well paid to do it, and take very little s(*& from bureaucratic types (although I still have to do that CBRNE crap). The downside is the ability of bureaucrats to cancel my contract on a whim, but I don't have to have a boss and there are PLENTY of jobs out there. No huhu.

Hasta, On-On, and out,

Z

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I know i am steering away from the topic here a little....but i am in my first year of nursing school, I am an E-5 91W(combat medic) in the MS army national guard. I was thinking about looking into a VA hospital to start my career as a nurse. What are the average starting salaries for new graduates? Does prior military service increase starting pay at all? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

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Specializes in Surgical/Telemetry.

In my state (Oregon) the VA new grad salary is basically equivalent to the new grad salaries of other hospitals in the area- with better benefits. I'm not sure about salary increases for prior service though, sorry.

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The benefits in the VA System outweigh any pay difference you may have. Also it depends on where the VA hospital is located. I received a pay increase (called locality pay) when I moved from to WV to MD. Military experience may count toward your retirement, but a new nurse is a new nurse in the system. One thing that could help, check with your local VA for a program for nursing students to get experience (and get paid for it) while in nursing school. Used to be called the VALOR program...not sure if it is still that or not.

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Specializes in Surgical/Telemetry.

It is still called the VALOR program, and they pay 3rd and 4th year students 80% of RN pay. I'm a late entry to it, but it seems great so far.

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Hi all.

I currently live in NC and have worked for a VA here for 15 months. It looks like we may be PCS-ing to Fort Campbell, KY. Anyone able to provide info on the post housing situation and nearest VA hospitals, in case I need to transfer? Would greatly appreciate any assistance/info. Love and God bless all.

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Hi, I'm new to this site - look forward to getting to know you all. Actually I am a nurse in the AF. Have only been in for about 7 months now - was a civilian nurse for 5 years prior. I actually really love the job - but you don't get to do as much in the military as you do in the civilian world. They say its different during deployment - looking forward to getting deployed. But as far as the hospital - we can't pull picc lines - a lot of little stuff like that. Anyway - still love the job - love the Air Force - love the benefits etc.

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Hi. I am in the process of filling out the paperwork to join the army as an RN. I currently have an ADN and work critical care. I will graduate in December with my BSN. I am planning on going to OBC in January. I have a few questions if anyone can help I would appreciate it. My recruiter has told me to pick my top 3 choices for my first duty station. I have picked San Antonio, Walter Reed, and Tripler. How likely is it that I will get one of those three? Also what kind of shifts do most army nurses work? Do they have manditory overtime? I also plan to go to CRNA school. Is it better to go in as an active duty nurse or as a civillian? I guess to sum up my questions, I would like to know what to expect.

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
Hi. I am in the process of filling out the paperwork to join the army as an RN. I currently have an ADN and work critical care. I will graduate in December with my BSN. I am planning on going to OBC in January. I have a few questions if anyone can help I would appreciate it. My recruiter has told me to pick my top 3 choices for my first duty station. I have picked San Antonio, Walter Reed, and Tripler. How likely is it that I will get one of those three? Also what kind of shifts do most army nurses work? Do they have manditory overtime? I also plan to go to CRNA school. Is it better to go in as an active duty nurse or as a civillian? I guess to sum up my questions, I would like to know what to expect.

STEWRN - I'd be willing & able to answer several of your questions. However, might be best via PMs or email.

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