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

ctravel · May 26, 2007

EvaLuna I worked in Germany as AF nurse from 2000-2003. Worked with Army at Landstuhl Hospital. Not sure how much more schooling you are looking to obtain after you get your BSN, but the Army seems to have more money and programs, but everything comes at a price. For everything they offer you, there is always some obligation to stay in for a number of years. Thats true of the AF also. As far as promotion, I think its about the same for officers. You would have a better opportunity of being stationed overseas in Army. Just not that many slots for AF nurses overseas. But a lots is changing with the Army also with the restructuring of the military and many Army post being consolidated or sent farther east. Take into consideration that with the Army, chances are very high you will be sent to Iraq for 12-15 months. Will this be a hardship for your family, with your husband being on disability. AF Iraq/Afghanastan tours are 4 months, if you go. Also take into consideration why you left nursing 6 years ago. Have things changed for the better. Remember once you commit to military you are stuck. The military will place you where the need is most, and that may be med/surg, even if recruiter tells you differently. Have seen that happen in both branches. If you don't want to move around too much, I would suggest AF, they are decreasing the frequency of moving troops due to funding. Both branches would move you about evey 3 years, now I think in AF you can stay 4-5 yrs once place, but a lot depends on whats going on in the world. Army moves troops about the same, 3-4 yrs. Also not sure what your physical stamina is but take into account both branchs have mandatory physcial conditioning requirements. Army is tougher than AF. Not sure if you are looking to do 20 yrs and retire, but there is no gurantee you can always do 20 yrs. If don't consistently get promoted, the militray will discharge you. To remain competitive for promotion, you eventually will have to move into nurse management, education, etc. and also get your masters. Not right away as a new grad, but eventually. All of which take time away from your familly. Have you looked into working for the VA, or another option, most people don't know alot about is the US Public Health Service. Offers the same benefits as military, but you stay in US, work on Indian Reservations, Immigration, Fed Prisions. Initially only 2 yr committment, then if you dont like you haven't wasted lots of years. Hope I answered some of your questions.

clc19k30 · Jun 1, 2007

Army Nurse, 20 years of service 8 as a nurse. Was prior service Armor Crewmember and found out that there were no jobs in that field as a civilian. GO FIGURE!! :uhoh3: I have been down range in Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom. The last two as the ER/OR/ICU nurse for a Forward Surgical Team. I am a critical care nurse. Currently on branch detail as a medical recruiter. This Job Bites!!!! but we need nurses and docs. You would not believe what some people think our nurses and docs do. Anyways glad to be of any service.

tallmattsc · Jun 2, 2007

Navy? Army? I need some help. I am in my last year of nursing school and would like to join the military. My father is Navy and I would of course prefer such for myself. My long term goal is CRNA so Critical Care/ICU nursing is the experience that I would love to obtain in return for serving my country. The army has a special 16-week course set up for critical care, what does the Navy offer, anything similar?? If I did choose the Navy how long would I have to wait to be able to work in the ICU, 1-2-3 or more years!! Someone please help!!

Gennaver, MSN · Jun 2, 2007

Army Nurse, 20 years of service 8 as a nurse. Was prior service Armor Crewmember and found out that there were no jobs in that field as a civilian. GO FIGURE!! I have been down range in Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom. The last two as the ER/OR/ICU nurse for a Forward Surgical Team. I am a critical care nurse. Currently on branch detail as a medical recruiter. This Job Bites!!!! but we need nurses and docs. You would not believe what some people think our nurses and docs do. Anyways glad to be of any service.

Hello clc19k30,

Nice to read you from a newly minted 2LT and soon to be graduate.

Gen

EvaLuna · Jun 5, 2007

EvaLuna I worked in Germany as AF nurse from 2000-2003. Worked with Army at Landstuhl Hospital. Not sure how much more schooling you are looking to obtain after you get your BSN, but the Army seems to have more money and programs, but everything comes at a price. For everything they offer you, there is always some obligation to stay in for a number of years. Thats true of the AF also. As far as promotion, I think its about the same for officers. You would have a better opportunity of being stationed overseas in Army. Just not that many slots for AF nurses overseas. But a lots is changing with the Army also with the restructuring of the military and many Army post being consolidated or sent farther east. Take into consideration that with the Army, chances are very high you will be sent to Iraq for 12-15 months. Will this be a hardship for your family, with your husband being on disability. AF Iraq/Afghanastan tours are 4 months, if you go. Also take into consideration why you left nursing 6 years ago. Have things changed for the better. Remember once you commit to military you are stuck. The military will place you where the need is most, and that may be med/surg, even if recruiter tells you differently. Have seen that happen in both branches. If you don't want to move around too much, I would suggest AF, they are decreasing the frequency of moving troops due to funding. Both branches would move you about evey 3 years, now I think in AF you can stay 4-5 yrs once place, but a lot depends on whats going on in the world. Army moves troops about the same, 3-4 yrs. Also not sure what your physical stamina is but take into account both branchs have mandatory physcial conditioning requirements. Army is tougher than AF. Not sure if you are looking to do 20 yrs and retire, but there is no gurantee you can always do 20 yrs. If don't consistently get promoted, the militray will discharge you. To remain competitive for promotion, you eventually will have to move into nurse management, education, etc. and also get your masters. Not right away as a new grad, but eventually. All of which take time away from your familly. Have you looked into working for the VA, or another option, most people don't know alot about is the US Public Health Service. Offers the same benefits as military, but you stay in US, work on Indian Reservations, Immigration, Fed Prisions. Initially only 2 yr committment, then if you dont like you haven't wasted lots of years. Hope I answered some of your questions.

C-travel thank you kindly for your advice...you're spot on about everything having a price with the military. I have never served but I married uncle sam 19 years ago when my husband was in the Air Force. He served in every branch except Marines and finally was discharged disabled from the Army. We began a protracted 7 year battle with the VA for compensation and finally was able to win his 100% disability...so I have some idea how the military works...however, having said that he has this idea that I would do great as a nurse in the military. He was a recruiter himself and he insists its different for nurses. (I guess he just wants to live or relive his military memories vicariously through me ) He really misses living overseas, especially Germany and I guess he sees me joining as an opportunity to do that and yes as a recruiter he did teach me the catch phrase "needs of the military first", But you're right when you say "times they are a-changin" When he was stationed in Germany there were two Germanys and much has changed since the relative calm of the 1980's. As a nurse in the Army, especially OR which is what I'm interested in I guess Iraq is a real probabilty? I left nursing on 9/11/01 because I lived in NYC and well....it's a long story. I wanted to get away from death as far as I could go...so I pursued a degree in English (which has nothing to do with the medical field) and began writing. Now I was given the opportunity to go back to school for nursing, tuition and books paid, and my husband said I'd be insane not to take it...so here I am, considering this...I do love to travel, I was a travel nurse for 4 yrs. prior to getting married. And I was very much interested in CRNA when I worked in pediatric OR. so I guess I would like to pursue that further if I decide on the military.I don't like med/surg at all and would be nay to do that...is it mandatory if you have OR experience to still do the med/surg? I'm in my late thirties I don't know that I have that much stamina although I suppose I could hold my own...is this more important in the Army than the AF? Also if you could tell me what are the better places to be stationed as a nurse with the AF. I've heard there is a job with the AF nicknamed "riding on the band-aid" which I assume is a flight nurse- have you heard of it? I've heard it is a cush job in the AF also if you know-what are the qualifications they look for? I speak 4 languages fluently so perhaps that may help? Once again I want to thank you for your reply...so happy someone cared enough about my ques. to answer back. Tanti Grazie.

chocokitten · Aug 8, 2007

I'm a graduate nurse from Michigan. I just graduated in April and will be taking the NCLEX in Sept. I currently work for the VISN 11 VA in Ann Arbor on the Telemetry floor. I am also applying for the Army Reserves to be a Psych Nurse (Psych in my passion). What I like most about VA nursing is the benefits. I have great health/retirement benefits as well as access to the VA canteen and discounts all over as a federal employee. Also, once I join the reserves I will get an extra 2 weeks of paid vacation. This means that when I am away from my one weekend a month I actually get double pay :)

sticknurse · Aug 8, 2007

I served in the Army as a 98c signal's intelligence analyst and was sad to see there's not much you can do with that as a civilian unless you want to work for the government. I went to nursing school and love nursing, but the little spy in me still loves to put the pieces together and that gets me in trouble sometimes. They say I ask too many questions at times, and I have this nagging need to yell "HOO-RA" at the top of my lungs. I once explained cpr to a tree during basic training after I fell asleep (STANDING UP) in the rain, during a cpr class. The drill instructor observed me sleeping and stated "well private, if you know this stuff so well, you can go ahead and make sure that tree understands." One thing about civilian healthcare that drives me nuts: there seems to be no chain of command.

Beanseye RN · Aug 8, 2007

Hey... update time.

Went to MEPS in June.

Glaucoma was waviered.

I had middle ear surgery '98 to improve hearing (too many ear infections as a child - was elective surgery)

Awaiting MEPS referral to ENT to reclear my hearing (passed audiogram at MEPS). My ENT doc retired shortly after my surgery so no records from pre-op exam.

Stalled in a holding pattern...

Brian

tinyt154 · Aug 19, 2007

I am already an LPN and i have decided to join Navy reserve or National Guard,I want to get my RN soon,any advice would be appreciated.

MustangGirl850 · Aug 31, 2007

hi!

I'm Heather... I'm 21 and in the army reserves.. I'm currently in the dental core in a medical support unit! I'm in the process of reclassing to a medic then hopefully an LPN!! :D

I'm also registered with AR-RAP! If anyone has any questions aboutthe army let me know!!

GeorgiaBoy61 · Oct 17, 2007

Hello All:

I hope all of you seasoned military folks don't mind a civilian posting here. I am a midlife career changer and RN considering military service. Like a lot of men my age - mid-40s - I did not serve in the military as a younger man, although in retrospect it would have done me some good, I can tell you. After 9-11, I made a sustained effort to enlist as a line soldier - i.e. combat arms, medic, or corpsman - but was unsuccessful d/t age. I had been laid off after the attacks from my career as a scientist and was prepared to serve active duty if allowed to. However, the age restrictions caught me there and also for being a firefighter paramedic, for which entry in IL is restricted to men 35 and younger. Decided to attend nursing school under an Accelerated BSN option and got my license. So far so good.

The Chicago area has less of a shortage of nurses than many areas of the nation due to the number of training programs here, as well as decent pay. Consequently, new RNs do always have numerous opportunities to choose from as far as speciality areas are concerned. Many hospitals have extensive waiting lists for OR training programs, and ER, ICU etc. are also tough to get. My hope for the military is that I can get specialty training more quickly there than as a civilian. Nothing against med-surg, but I've been there, done that -- and other areas of nursing sound like a better fit for me. I have a strong science background and would like to use that further. I may go for an NP, PA or CRNA at some point. In the immediate future, I just want to get better qualified and move forward out of med-surg if possible.

Here's the other factor where perhaps I am different. If I join the military as an RN, I want to be as far forward and close to the action as possible. That's why I volunteered to be a corpsman -- to get close to the action! Although I am in my 40s, I am in very good shape and can pick up my own body weight; I've done so on numerous occasions in martial arts class for conditioning purposes. And so on. I'm not 20, but I've got plenty left in the tank, mentally and physically.

I am certainly no superman, but enjoy being physically active and like action.

I've heard that military nursing is different in many respects than civilian nursing; I've seen a lot of posts to that effect here and on 'Military.com' also. My thinking is that perhaps I'd even enjoy med-surg nursing more in the military environment than civvy one, if I get stuck there for a while. I also hear good things about the fellowship and closeness of military healthcare professionals serving together. Sounds good to me.

I've talked with a handful of recruiters, but all I get is boilerplate sales talk, promotional literature and vague statements about the types of missions I could do. Many heathcare recruiters are not RNs or even in the field at all and so speak from ignorance. I understand the nuts-and-bolts of military life pretty well; being mobilized, etc. Done my homework there. I do lack inside knowledge of what the best missions for someone like me are, and whether or not I'm eligible for them. Any comments? Which branch offers most opportunites for nurses to get out in the field? Airborne, jump school, flight nursing, etc. all sound good. Sounds like the USAF won't allow a guy my age to be a flight nurse, but not sure... and those slots are highly sought after. Navy seems to want me for paper-pushing but again unsure. Army seems to need people very badly; their recruiters sound desperate and the enlistment bonuses for them are bigger. One last nugget: several people have told me I'd be an effective teacher. Do any of the services use RNs to teach medics or corpsmen?

Last problem: Willing to consider active duty but a major stumbling block is that my wife has a great career, which pays very well. We haven't been able to figure out how to handle her career needs and still get me into the AD military. Does the military have any sort of decent program for helping spouses of servicemembers or prospective servicemembers find work near bases? If we cannot work this out, going to have to join as a reservist. I want to serve my country but won't go into the poor house to do it. I've seen what an O-1/2 makes and we cannot live on that, not even close. That means my wife will need a good paying job. She's a business analyst in the IT field.

This letter is getting long so that's all for now... replies appreciated!

Georgia Boy 61

Gennaver, MSN · Oct 22, 2007

Hello,

First, do not spend your 'pennies' talking to an enlisted recruiter, (i.e. corpsman) you are an RN, you are going to need to talk to a medical recruiter. A medical recruiter is the one who can guide you. An enlisted recruiter can indeed enlist you as a corpsman, (enlisted) yet, as a corpsman you will not be working as a nurse and your license may or may not suffer.

I am from Chicago, born and raised and recently got my RN degree, (at 41 years old this summer from DePaul University). Now I am a new Army nurse stationed at Fort Sam Houston and I love it.

Like you I wanted to join previously but, d/t the age I was too old at age 27. Now, even with the age change to 42 it is not a worry since RNs can come in until age 46.

So, when I spoke with the Navy, they were interested, the Army as well. However even with a couple of glitzches in my board, the Army took me. Hooah!

I love it already and suggest you speak with a medical recruiter regardless of which service, do a google for the service + healthcare recruiting and go about it the right way. :)

Good luck, keep us informed in the regular military forum here under new threads, okay?

Gen