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.
Hello to everyone! I am looking for information on the Army Nurse Corps. Would others who have been down the military path recommend the ANC Reserves for a 43 year old civilian RN. I have wanted to do this for sometime now and am currently at a stage in life that Id like to give it a whirl but would love to hear some pros/cons from others who have been there?

Specific questions deserve specific address. ;)

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Specializes in ICU/PCU, Research & MIlitary.

:caduceus: retired military army & air force 23 years total, now doing research for a cardiology group

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

Hi, I am a nursing student (starting my senior year this fall) and I am considering Air Force Nursing. I'm most interested in psych, but the air force looks like it has great benefits (despite the drawbacks).

I'm currently looking for any information on what it is like to be an Air Force Nurse, especially as a mother.

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Hello Everyone!

I read your post and know where you are coming from. It takes an inordinate amount of time to get on at the V.A. By the way, I work for VISN 15 in St. Louis. One thing that I've noticed is that the government has an infinite number of ways of getting around hiring vets. I am a 10-point vet due to an injury that ocurred in an explosion and I have even had a civilian nurse tell me that they shouldn't even hire 10-point vets because we might be unstable. I have had my resume in to transfer to the Army, Navy, or Air Force for over a year and even though their website shows many openings I haven't even had one reply. Hard to figure isn't it. All in all though, I enjoy working for the V.A. and would never work in a civilian hospital again.

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hi fellow va nurse!

that is one reason that so many nurses do not consider va! it takes soooo long to go through the hiring process...and most nurses want and need to work asap! we also like knowing what we are going to be making "up front" and the "boarding" process takes a bit.

i stay at the va for the benefits...it certainly isn't for the pay i am currently receiving. i have 28 years nursing experience (95% in critical care) and when i was boarded initially...well lets say i was not a step ii. i have coworkers with less nursing seniority (both va and civilian) that make more than me. i have 3 years va time.

if you plan to work for the va...hook up with someone who knows the "ins and outs" of the system to help you negotiate the waters of working for us sam. other than that particular issue...i wouldn't trade my job for anything (except winning the megamillions-lol)

[color=darkslategray]glad to be there...proud to serve!!

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You are very correct in the issues that you bring up. I too was boarded as a Nurse I. I have been here 7 years and I am now Nurse II. Completing my BSN was crucial to my getting nurse II. I have now completed my MSN. Let me tell you though; I have been beating my brains out going from an ADN to an MSN in 6-years. (I had to wait a year to start). However, the V.A. paid for all of it. As you said, it is vitally important that you find a mentor that knows the "ins and outs" of the V.A. system.

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Hi, I just graduated from an ADN program and have been working as an LPN for a year. I'm considering joining the Army Reserves. My husband is already in the Reserves as a drill sergeant. Any advice about the Army Reserves?

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Hello, I recently seperated from the navy as a 0000 HM, I am going to school to get my nursing degree. YEAH, and I was wanting to know, do you guys think its better to be a nurse in military or in the civilian sector. I miss the military greatly, but i hate the BS, lol. any opinions welcome.

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
Hello, I recently seperated from the navy as a 0000 HM, I am going to school to get my nursing degree. YEAH, and I was wanting to know, do you guys think its better to be a nurse in military or in the civilian sector. I miss the military greatly, but i hate the BS, lol. any opinions welcome.

IMHO, RNs on military active duty get way more respect. Plus, you could retire as a military nurse before your 50 yrs old.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Case Manag, Surgery.

First post, Hello everyone. I am an RN with 20 years exerience. I was an LPN and then got my ADN in 1991. I have a BA and MBA in Business. Next month I should finish my BSN! yeah. I talked with a recruiter 2 years ago at AORN conference. Have been interested in the reserves ever since. Decided to finish my BSN before doing anything. I am currently a Director of Surgery. Any advice on what branch might be better for me. I prefer to stay in surgery which I hear is a high demand area. I'm also certified in case management. I am 41, physicially in great shape (race 5K's), no health problems. My son is in the Navy and currently serving in Japan. When he served in Iraq I wanted to be able to help. I thought the reserves would be a great way to give something back. Any advice?

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Specializes in Nephrolgy 12 years/Psych 2 years.

Hi, I am currently an LPN and I will be graduating from my ADN program in May. I have been talking to a cyber recruiter about the Army Nurse Candidate Program that pays you a stipend while you finish your BSN. Does anyone know how that works. Do I go to the Healthcare recruiters to sign up right after I finish my ADN or before? What do they look at when you sign up besides your education level and physical fitness? How long does the process take after you meet with the recruiter to get the ball rolling? Do you swear in before the BSN is completed or after? I am so confused. I feel like I am driving the recruiter crazy. I am just trying to get my ducks in a row before I apply to the RN-BSN program. Thanks!

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
First post, Hello everyone. I am an RN with 20 years exerience. I was an LPN and then got my ADN in 1991. I have a BA and MBA in Business. Next month I should finish my BSN! yeah. I talked with a recruiter 2 years ago at AORN conference. Have been interested in the reserves ever since. Decided to finish my BSN before doing anything. I am currently a Director of Surgery. Any advice on what branch might be better for me. I prefer to stay in surgery which I hear is a high demand area. I'm also certified in case management. I am 41, physicially in great shape (race 5K's), no health problems. My son is in the Navy and currently serving in Japan. When he served in Iraq I wanted to be able to help. I thought the reserves would be a great way to give something back. Any advice?

My son enlisted into the Army Reserves in 2000 [now an Army ROTC Cadet] and after the 9-11 tragedy I gave serious consideration into coming back into military service. I'm a USMC Vet [1980-1988], but was too old and had been too long since working on aircraft [avionics tech in the USMC]to come back into the Marines. Since my son was already a Soldier I thought it would be cool for me to be a Soldier, too. So, I took the oath for direct commission in the Army Nurse Corps [Reserves] in 2003, then last March was released from the reserves so I could go active duty.

My suggestion is once you finish your BSN go talk to a Navy Nurse Corps Recruiter.

Good luck!

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