The Pay - Military vs Civilian

NursePamela · Jun 28, 2005

To add to civilians working in military hospitals. It has also been my experience that they do not make as much money as they would in a civilian hospital, but the benefits are good if you get in the "system".

leisa22 · Jun 29, 2005

My husband is an officer in the military with 0ver 8 years of experience and I am a civilian nurse who can compare his pay to mine or what I would get paid if I join the military. It all depends on what Im making at the time. I have made anywhere form 18.25 an hour to 32 an hour base pay-not counting over time, shift diffs,ect. Sometimes I make more and sometimes I make less. Since Im always switching jobs every time he has to move it makes it difficult for me to keep the "good" jobs that I find.

I have decided to join the military again (was enlisted for a few years) and hope to be comissioned this year. There are several reasons I made this decision but since we are on the topic of pay--I feel that I would be making more in the long run, I will be able to further my education without sacrificing my paycheck (since the military will pay for you to go back to school), and finally I will be able to recieve my retirement. As a civilian nurse Ive had a difficult time saving money for retirement.

grannynurse FNP student · Jun 29, 2005

There are many benefits to being a nurse in the military as long you continue to climb the rank structure and not remain stagnant. The pay, the thirty day leave a year, the medical/dental/vision benefits, housing on base, or housing stipend to live off base, able to travel and live in many different places of the world, educational benefits.........military nursing has it all. IMO.:) If I were young enough, I'd become a military nurse.
I've worked as a department of the army civilian nurse and made great pay, received good benefits, but surely didn't get thirty days a year pay. I wish.:chuckle

My Dad was career military and retired after 27 years. I had planned on going back in until I herniated a disc. All of the perks, you mentioned, are worth the twenty years. And you are still young enough to go after another pension :)

Grannynurse :balloons:

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Jun 29, 2005

Just curious, who do you think makes more money a civilian nurse or a military nurse? Try to take in consideration the tax breaks and extras the military gets as well as the possibility of extra hours. If at all possible. If you can say why you think one makes more than the other I would be curious to know that too.

Just curious - what tax breaks? I never saw any tax breaks.

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Jun 29, 2005

There are many benefits to being a nurse in the military as long you continue to climb the rank structure and not remain stagnant. The pay, the thirty day leave a year, the medical/dental/vision benefits, housing on base, or housing stipend to live off base, able to travel and live in many different places of the world, educational benefits.........military nursing has it all. IMO.:) If I were young enough, I'd become a military nurse.
I've worked as a department of the army civilian nurse and made great pay, received good benefits, but surely didn't get thirty days a year pay. I wish.:chuckle

What I miss is "sick time is time served" - meaning there was no such thing as sick days. You went to sick call, got your quarters notice (meaning they sent you home), and there's none of this "oh, I've got to file sick leave". You're considered "on duty" even though you're home in bed, shivering and sneezing. Now you had to be SICK, but say you end up in the hospital for a week with severe pneumonia. Guess what - you don't file sick leave. I had my wisdom teeth removed and was sent home for the day. You just notified your supervisor you've been placed on quarters, and you're good to go.

I get six days paid sick leave a year. That means two good run-ins with the flu and I'm done.

Oh - and you can accrue up to sixty days' leave on the books. 2 1/2 days for every 30 days served is the leave accrual rate. OH DO I MISS THAT.

live4today, RN · Jun 29, 2005

Oh why didn't I join the military when I was young enough to do so! Waaaaa:crying2: In the military, even when you are sick, you still get paid. It doesn't matter if you work five days a month, or thirty days a month, you still get that paycheck every two weeks (monthly for some). Your healthcare is continuous. You know what your job entails. There aren't too many surprises because when you are active duty you already know to expect the unexpected. :)

They need nurses soooooooo bad right now, and I'm willing to give them my all, but they won't let me because I'm 53. Well, I may be 53 chronologically, but there's a lot of spunk and spark left in me ol' body...I'm a dang good nurse...they could use my expertise....and in times of war and need...why are they being so picky? Do you need nurses are not? Okay then....here I am! :uhoh3: :chuckle

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Jun 29, 2005

Oh why didn't I join the military when I was young enough to do so! Waaaaa:crying2: In the military, even when you are sick, you still get paid. It doesn't matter if you work five days a month, or thirty days a month, you still get that paycheck every two weeks (monthly for some). Your healthcare is continuous. You know what your job entails. There aren't too many surprises because when you are active duty you already know to expect the unexpected. :)
They need nurses soooooooo bad right now, and I'm willing to give them my all, but they won't let me because I'm 53. Well, I may be 53 chronologically, but there's a lot of spunk and spark left in me ol' body...I'm a dang good nurse...they could use my expertise....and in times of war and need...why are they being so picky? Do you need nurses are not? Okay then....here I am! :chuckle

Based on your post, I think you would have been perfect!

NursePamela · Jun 29, 2005

Now if GrannyNurse had heriniated the disc on AD then at least you don't lose it all.

True about sick leave thing. I think a lot of hospitals only give 2 weeks of time off. It is up to you whether you are sick or on vacation. You do not get anymore time - sorry.

The tax break for the military is that they do not get taxed on the housing and food allowance only the base salary, which at 28% (roughly) makes a BIG difference.

A civilian nurse may make more but the take home for the military is more.

live4today, RN · Jun 29, 2005

Based on your post, I think you would have been perfect!

Aw shucks! Thank ya carolinapooh. :blushkiss

grannynurse FNP student · Jun 29, 2005

Now if GrannyNurse had heriniated the disc on AD then at least you don't lose it all.
True about sick leave thing. I think a lot of hospitals only give 2 weeks of time off. It is up to you whether you are sick or on vacation. You do not get anymore time - sorry.
The tax break for the military is that they do not get taxed on the housing and food allowance only the base salary, which at 28% (roughly) makes a BIG difference.
A civilian nurse may make more but the take home for the military is more.

Unfortunately Grannynurse was a civilian. Grannynurse was two months from going on active duty when she herniated her disc. She had served six years in the Air National Guard and had resigned her commission when she moved from upstate NY to SW Florida (that is a whole other story) :uhoh3: . Grannynurse was very upset because she had worked out a very nice contract with the military. :angryfire Darn darn double darn :angryfire

Grannynurse :balloons:

NursePamela · Jun 30, 2005

GrannyNurse, oh I am so sorry, that bites. Can we fix you and try again? :)

grannynurse FNP student · Jun 30, 2005

GrannyNurse, oh I am so sorry, that bites. Can we fix you and try again? :)

I don't think so. Eight weeks after my back surgery, I got hit by a big rig :angryfire :crying2: Took me six years to get over those injuries. Six weeks after I bought my first new car, since I got hit by the big rig, guy totalled it, coming off the Manhattan Bridge. Had three cervical disc operated on, along with grafts and plates. :rolleyes: Broke my left ankle, in April 2003 and badly fracture my left humerous, October 31, 2003 :chuckle I have had great luck with my bones the past fifteen years :rotfl: :rotfl: But thanks for the offer.

Grannynurse :balloons: