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 OB, Cardiac.

Hey Lt,

Ya, I'm still a builder for the seabees in the reserves. I'm trying to change my rate to quatermaster (but that probably won't happen 'til I get back). My battalion should only be in Iraq for about 6 months. Of course, that could always be extended. Still, the navy is pretty good about keeping the bees there for only 6 months. I don't want to go, like many others, but I feel lucky that we're only there for 1/2 a yr instead of a yr or yrs like other servicemen in other branches have to serve. The thought of being in the sandbox for 18 mos just boggles my mind. My hat goes out to your unit. Oh ya, right back @ ya....thank's for serving!

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I'm a critical care RN in VISN 11, also a 2LT in the Army Reserve. Enlisted in the Army Reserve when I was seventeen, spent 4 years with an MP BN then got smart and took the GRFD scholarship from ROTC. For me the military (and gov't) have been sound decisions. They paid for my EMT education and license, they paid for my baccalaureate nursing degree, and they'll pay for my CRNA school too. Can't go wrong with free education. :typing

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I'm a critical care RN in VISN 11, also a 2LT in the Army Reserve. Enlisted in the Army Reserve when I was seventeen, spent 4 years with an MP BN then got smart and took the GRFD scholarship from ROTC. For me the military (and gov't) have been sound decisions. They paid for my EMT education and license, they paid for my baccalaureate nursing degree, and they'll pay for my CRNA school too. Can't go wrong with free education. :typing

They're paying for CRNA school too?? Are you referring to the VA? How does that work?

fmfnurse

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I know of some ADNs who have joined the Army Reserve as Commissioned Officers. I believe they recieved some educational benefits to complete thier BSN

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Hi, I was just wondering if you could give me some specifics as to why being in the Army Nurse Corps and being a mom didn't work out for you. I am 33 and civilian, have been an RN for a little over a year. I'm very interested in joining the AF as a nurse after completing my BSN(plan to start in Jan). I have two children, they're 4 & 6 now. Do you think it's at all doable in your personal opinion? I know I'd have to make huge sacrifices, but my husband is very supportive, has been the caregiver the majority of the time while I was in school, worked, etc. I am very interested in joining the AF for the loan repayment(have a huge loan debt), retirement, and experiences from traveling. Of course, it's a great honor to serve my country above and beyond those other reasons. Sorry for the long post. I would appreciate any feedback. Thanks:) !

Stephanie

Keep in mind that my husband was an active duty Infantry officer, in company command, at the time our first child was born until I left active duty. I would think the challenges of Army Nursing would not be nearly as daunting as a parent if you had someone like your husband helping out with family and household issues. I was simply pulled in too many directions.

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Sorry, I missed that. I can see now why that would have been difficult for you. Thanks for answering my post!

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I am new here a great site. I have commissioned and am on delayed entry into the Army. I will attend OBC then will go straight to the CRNA program. I might have blinders on but I cannot imagine a better opportunity. I am looking forward to serving. I now work critical care in a large public hospital.

Hooah and GIGEM

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg.

Ok, so in case people don't read all the posts, here's my intro:

ASN RN degree from a college in Iowa, passed my NCLEX last summer, working med-surg at a hospital in Indiana. Working on getting in shape so that I can sign up for the Nurse Candidate Program for the Navy. My BSN classes start in two weeks. I should be finished with those by October of 2007, and then it's off to Newport, RI and OIS (Lord willing)!

Any advice from people here? Current Navy nurses?

PickyRN

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I was a Navy nurse for ten years, just recently got out. Overall, it was a great experience. I worked in alot of different areas (some areas by choice, some not), so feel well-rounded as a nurse. My favorite place was critical care, as only those requesting it (wanting it) went there. So, there was good teamwork, and a real interest in wanting to learn. I really loved training corpsmen, and have jokingly said when they are referred to as "doc" out in the field, it should actually be "nurse" as most learn their skills from military nurses. Being a single parent is what led me to have to leave, it was just getting too difficult being sent to remote locations, overseas, etc, and finding dependable childcare for any exercise, WAR, etc., that might have me gone from days to months. Plus, I felt I was just missing out on too much family time. I really miss the camaraderie of the military. It's been an adjustment becoming a civilian nurse.

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Hi there, I'm a student in college trying to get my BSN to nurse in the Navy. I chose to nurse in the Navy after September 11th (and part of it happened near my home) and seeing the deaths of so many men and women in the armed forces. I dated three guys from the Army and after dating them I knew military nursing was for me. Now that I've said my piece I'd just like to say hi to everyone else and good luck!

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
Hi there, I'm a student in college trying to get my BSN to nurse in the Navy. I chose to nurse in the Navy after September 11th (and part of it happened near my home) and seeing the deaths of so many men and women in the armed forces. I dated three guys from the Army and after dating them I knew military nursing was for me. Now that I've said my piece I'd just like to say hi to everyone else and good luck!

LOL, you've dated three Soldiers, and decided you'd rather be a nurse in the Navy than the Army. :roll

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
I was a Navy nurse for ten years, just recently got out. Overall, it was a great experience. I worked in alot of different areas (some areas by choice, some not), so feel well-rounded as a nurse. My favorite place was critical care, as only those requesting it (wanting it) went there. So, there was good teamwork, and a real interest in wanting to learn. I really loved training corpsmen, and have jokingly said when they are referred to as "doc" out in the field, it should actually be "nurse" as most learn their skills from military nurses. Being a single parent is what led me to have to leave, it was just getting too difficult being sent to remote locations, overseas, etc, and finding dependable childcare for any exercise, WAR, etc., that might have me gone from days to months. Plus, I felt I was just missing out on too much family time. I really miss the camaraderie of the military. It's been an adjustment becoming a civilian nurse.

When your children leave the proverbial nest go see an Army Health Care Recruiter ;)

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