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

jorge54 · Sep 12, 2006

Hello,

I am a nursing studnet and I was thinking of joining the Army or Air Force Nurse Corps. Was your experience pleasurable in the Army. I'm not afraid of going to a war zone, I'm just afraid of ending up in a bad station stateside like Fort Irwin.

Goerge johnson

RN for 6 years, last 3 in OR. I left the Army on 1 Sep, planning to commission into the Air Force next week. My wife wanted me to get out completely, but agreed to the Air Force because of the Army IRR callups (I'd still owe 2 years) and the shorter deployments for USAF. I like that I don't stay in the same place too long, the pay and benifits are great, and 90% of the time, my patients are unconscious. I am planning to stay in and try for CRNA school.

clc19k30 · Sep 21, 2006

Army Active Duty

Experience- MED Surg to ICU.

Deployments- Operation Desert Storm ( Tanker)

Operation Iraqi Freedom III Forward Surgical Team ICU Nurse

Operation Enduring Freedom V Forward Surgical Team ER ICU OR nurse.

Currently a Army Medical Recruiter, I am the Nurse, CRNA, and Optometrist recruiter for my station.

Married with Four boys (monsters) and a cocker spaniel attack dog (GRRR)

Total time in service - 19 years.

angelmedic1994 · Sep 28, 2006

Hi,

I was a medic for 12 years (civilian), let me license go July 27, 2006. I trained as a tactical medic and rarely used the training, but loved that aspect of my job more than life...... I currently work as a surgical tech on an OB unit and am in a nursing program. My daughter just enlisted in the Army (active duty, 21 M), and this has really brought back my desire to join. I had wanted to be in the military since I was small, tried to enlist at 17 and my father refused to sign the paperwork. Her recruiter mentioned to me that I could always go reserves upon my graduation. I am really considering it, however I still have small children at home, and have not even thought of a way to bring this up with my husband. Or should I just let it go as a dream unanswered? Any ideas, thoughts or opinions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks so much,

Michele

Corvette Guy · Sep 28, 2006

Hi,
I was a medic for 12 years (civilian), let me license go July 27, 2006. I trained as a tactical medic and rarely used the training, but loved that aspect of my job more than life...... I currently work as a surgical tech on an OB unit and am in a nursing program. My daughter just enlisted in the Army (active duty, 21 M), and this has really brought back my desire to join. I had wanted to be in the military since I was small, tried to enlist at 17 and my father refused to sign the paperwork. Her recruiter mentioned to me that I could always go reserves upon my graduation. I am really considering it, however I still have small children at home, and have not even thought of a way to bring this up with my husband. Or should I just let it go as a dream unanswered? Any ideas, thoughts or opinions would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks so much,
Michele

If you have small children at home I'd suggest this military interest be discussed in-depth with your husband.

Will you be graduating from a BSN, ADN program? If ADN, the you will only be eligible for the Reserve ANC.

angelmedic1994 · Sep 28, 2006

I guess I left that out, I am interested in the reserves. My husband is a deputy sheriff and can't move or transfer, so that's a little limiting. I plan to get my BSN, I am well on my way to ASN (it will take me a year after my ASN to have my BSN). I have a while to kick it around, but I have a lot of regrets in my life. Several times I've had to pass up chances because of, well, mostly my ex husband...and we see where that got me! I plan to bring it up to my husband after I have done some extensive research. His cousin is actually a nurse/physician recruiter for the Air Force, so I am trying to get in touch with him as well. I know the chance of deployment is there, and probably great unless things change....and this is another factor I am trying to put into the decision. If all of my kids were grown, no problem, but having the little ones, it does make me want to really work through this decision and make my family happy.

Thanks so much for your response. I truly appreciate it.

Care&Joy · Oct 5, 2006

Actually, w/ your ADN you CAN work in the Army Reserves. You just have to have your BSN if you decide to join full time Active Duty. Also, while in the Reserves, the Army will help you pay for you to get your BSN. :) Hope that helps...that's what I'm looking into right now

Holly C.

p0969 · Oct 10, 2006

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.

I am a 11yr VA Psych nurse in VISN 16. I have worked in the private sector and much prefer the VA. The benefits are wonderful. One of the great things about the VA system is their Computerized Patient Record System. You have immediate access to all areas of a patient's care. If the patient came from another VA you have immediate access to their records at that VA or any other VA in the country. As with all health care facilities there is good and bad. The VA can at times overload you with policies , educational requirements, performance measures, etc. it is still a good place to work. Of course, it is only as good as its administrators, managers, MDs and Nurses. I feel that the overall satisfaction of the nurses at this VA is very good. One more thing. If you are seeking a position with the VA as an ADN, you will only be able to go so far without obtaining a BSN. The system is putting its emphasis on BSN.

Beanseye RN · Oct 11, 2006

I'm 41 with 42 closing fast and considering Army or AF nursing. However, if I like it and want to stay, I have some questions.

1) What is the compulsory retirement age for RN's (does it vary from branch to branch)?

2) Do RN's do weapons training? I read a post that stated they pulled watch at times (ANC)(in Iraq)?

3)Are waviers given for red/green color blindness?

4)Is there a better branch to choose to get a chance to go for CRNA?

Any insight is appreciated.

Brian

Gennaver, MSN · Oct 12, 2006

I'm 41 with 42 closing fast and considering Army or AF nursing. However, if I like it and want to stay, I have some questions.
1) What is the compulsory retirement age for RN's (does it vary from branch to branch)?
2) Do RN's do weapons training? I read a post that stated they pulled watch at times (ANC)(in Iraq)?
3)Are waviers given for red/green color blindness?
4)Is there a better branch to choose to get a chance to go for CRNA?
Any insight is appreciated.
Brian

Hello Beanseye RN,

The only information I have is what I've heard and would suspect that most things require a second opinion. When I signed my application packet, since I would be commisionning at age 41 I had to sign an age waiver for retirement at 60, I was told that I could petition once I reach that age to go for 61 to get my 20 in.

I was also told that we do indeed train with weapons, during our field training week at OBC.

It is unknown by me if there will be waivers for color blindness for the services yet, even though I've read it written "in stone" that they do not offer waivers for color blindness I have also read it written in "stone" that they do not offer waivers for adult asthma and I 'know' a career military person who has active asthma...

Best of luck, gotta give it a try and see,

Gen

Beanseye RN · Oct 13, 2006

Gen,

Thanks for your input. I got an email from an Army recruiter who stated color-blindness is not a DQ. This was a stark contrast to when I tried to enlist hoping to be a medic before I went to nursing school - I was offered only admin jobs ... "I could work in medical supply office..."

I read on another post that basically any condition that requires daily meds is a DQ, however, many are not grounds for discharge.

I am up against the wall now, I understand separation age is 62 max. But I suppose it may be too late to make it to oath before 15 December. This all assumes that I get in and want to stay. Especially since I haven't chosen Army (faster promotions/pay, CRNA slots, longer deployments) or AF (shorter deployments, better treatment/conditions).

I wonder if I make the move and get in but not before 42, and like it and stay they will raise the separation age before I am forced out.

Keep me posted.

Brian

jamangel · Oct 13, 2006

Just noticed this forum. LPN VA nurse VISN 7. I love my job. I work on the Active Duty Rehab Unit at the VA and it's been an experience.

mentalhealthman · Oct 15, 2006

Louis Stokes VA Hospital Cleveland Ohio VISN 10. Lpn working in Psychiatric Emergency Room. US Marine Corps 1984 -1990. Proud to serve. Still pursuing an RN license, but waiting for my year with the VA to qualify for educational benefits.