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

Published

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 Public Health.

I've been thinking about joining military nursing somehow. I've been an Burn ICU for a little over a year. I have my ADN.

I would love to be able to work as a nurse in Germany within the military system. Can anyone provide me some pointers?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg, Geriatrics.

With an ASN the only branch of service that will accept you as an officer is the Army Reserve. You would commision as a 2nd Lt. If you want to progress past Captain however you need your BSN. The Air Force offers a Health Professions Scholarship Program which pays all your tuition and fees and gives you $1,907 per month for living expenses. Your obligation is to serve 45 days active duty while on scholarship and for 4yrs. scholarship you owe 4 yrs. service. Three years scholarship, three years service owed. I believe it will pay up to 32K total. Check out the Air Force website by yahoo or googling it. You could be a flight nurse with the Air Force and I know they work out of Germany flying Iraq troops back. All other branches of service require a Bachelors degree and any bonuses as they are called are taxed at a 28% taxation. Good luck to you and make sure you talk to a "nursing recruiter" instead of a general enlisted recruiter.

Dave:wink2::twocents:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg, Geriatrics.

You have reached the Holy Grail of information for military nursing. I am sure that both you and your wife will find the information needed in the many posts. Keep asking questions and someone will get back with you. just_cause is a great person to ask information from. I believe he was prior Army however quite knowledable about things here on the military side. Good luck and God speed!

Dave

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am a new VA RN. I love working with the vets. The benefits are awesome and the salary is pretty generous (a lot higher than most private and county hospitals!).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in sortho/medsurg/homehealth/urgentcare.

I am taking my boards in March and would like to join the Airforce Reserves and i am 42 years old and healthy but should weight 20lbs less although. Is there a chance to join? I would go in as an RN is all works out well and I pass my boards. Can you tell me if this is possible. I've heard of a waiver. Thanks....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.
I am taking my boards in March and would like to join the Airforce Reserves and i am 42 years old and healthy but should weight 20lbs less although. Is there a chance to join? I would go in as an RN is all works out well and I pass my boards. Can you tell me if this is possible. I've heard of a waiver. Thanks....

I'm not in the Navy, yet. But I have been doing alot of research and reading MANY of the threads on this web page, which I highly recommend. I think for the age of 42 you may need a waiver. But, to enter the AirForce or Navy, either Reserve or Active Duty, you need your BSN, from an accredited University. If you were to consider the Army you could enter the Reserves with an ADN, but you would never promote past Captain (unless you get your BSN). Online BSN programs are great, and depending on how many support classes you have completed (ie; Humanities, Maths, Microbiology etc) you could finish the Core Nursing classes and have your BSN in about 1-2 years.......

Best of luck with your Boards and your Military choices.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi ;

I have questions also, I am 45 with 4 children the youngest is 4 years old,already been practicing for past 8 years,mainly critical care, I applied to the army,can you give some pros and cons, I applied for active duty.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in sortho/medsurg/homehealth/urgentcare.
I am a new VA RN. I love working with the vets. The benefits are awesome and the salary is pretty generous (a lot higher than most private and county hospitals!).

Are you in the military as well? Did they offer a sign on bonus? I was interested in working for a VA hospital also

Thanks....

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Salute to everyone!

I will graduate with my ADN on May 1st and I am a 47 y.o. male with 7 years prior service in the Army. I have been reading most of the posts on the forum and I have learned very much. Thanks for all the info.

My goal is to eventually be a CRNA. That being said, my concern is what are the do's and don'ts of the process. I understand that I can go AR with an ADN, but I also heard that if I am in my junior year of BSN I can get AD and if so, will the Army pay for it.

Is it better to go in as a green ADN nurse (AR), or get a couple years exp and my BSN/MSN and go AD? Any advantages/disadvantages either way?

Thanks in advance for all your help!

Gruffy

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi,

I am new to this thread and interested in connecting with anyone that is familiar with working at the VA in Prescott AZ. I will be a new grad in May 2010 and we are considering relocating there. We plan to make out a trip this summer to scout it out and wondered if anyone could give me any info about the va, prescott, and being a new grad that has relocated............is it too crazy to do?

Thanks

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Former navy medic. Presently working on a CST and an RN. Should be done by the end of the year and have my eye open for a VA spot in my area.

Have zero interest in rejoining active or reserves though. VA is the good of military involvement, without most of the bad IMO.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER.

BS,BSN,RN 2 years in the ER!

11.5 Marines

3 CalGuard

Currently packg at the board for 66H-M5.

Semper I!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion