The Pay - Military vs Civilian

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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.

Specializes in ED, Cardiac Medicine, Retail Health.
HMC-

Let's not forget the things like having to pay for your health insurance out of the money you make as a civilian. Also, the 30 days paid vacation per year in the Navy, not too mention the other stuff.

Congrats on your retirement, I for one, appreciate you leading the way for the rest of us.

Very Respectfully,

LCDR Dan D'Aurora

US Navy Nurse Corps

Thanks Dan,

Your correct, civilian family health insurance can cost a pretty penny! ! forgot about that major exspense!!!!

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Just remember life in the Military is wonderful and possibly horrible depending on the person. I loved my time in the military(not as a nurse). But You are comparing apples to oranges in the LIFE of a Military member to that as a civilian. If Money is your only consideration, the military that I lived 20 years ago. lots of unpaid overtime (because military members do not get OT) for lots of work.

But did I Love it? DEFINETLY...GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS

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Interesting topic here everyone, dug this up. What's everyone's opinion now? Pay, with the tax free benefits, insurance, housing that military nurses receive vs. the overtime civilian nurses can pick up, who really makes more? Interesting discussion.

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can go back and forth on this forever.

I work in Civilian world in an ICU, have a nice house, insurance, and everything that comes with it.

Its not a matter of "pay" its what lifestyle you want to live. If were basing this off pay I would go travel nursing right now and travel, have expenses paid for, insurance, etc.

Retirement in military is good, however they own you for 20 years. That can be torture if you don't like it. In civilian world you can save for your own retirement and do ok as well.

I have learned that money is not everything. ( I know its cliche but its true).

This lifestyle I have now... the going to work. to pay the mortgage... to fill it with nice things... the monotony...

Its your choice.. don't let pay be the most important factor... If you have been a nurse especially in an ICU you have seen people's life distilled into the most basic form.. all the BS, money, and materialistic crap fade away and mean nothing.

Talk to some of your old timers.. the patients you may have had.. the old veterans and just sit down when you have time and talk to them about their experiences..

hope this helps.

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Specializes in critical care: trauma/oncology/burns.

I agree with Zombie that money isn't everything...

I left a well paying position within the VA system as a civilian nurse making over $100,000/year to go Active Duty.

Now I am making ~ $47,000/year but I wouldn't change anything for the world.

Another cliché: Life is short. September 11th certainly cemented that fact home to me.

athena

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.
I agree with Zombie that money isn't everything...

I left a well paying position within the VA system as a civilian nurse making over $100,000/year to go Active Duty.

Now I am making ~ $47,000/year but I wouldn't change anything for the world.

Another cliché: Life is short. September 11th certainly cemented that fact home to me.

athena

What VA did you work for, the VA I work for does not come close to that unless your are management & grade 4

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Specializes in critical care: trauma/oncology/burns.
What VA did you work for, the VA I work for does not come close to that unless your are management & grade 4

Hi Jeckrn!

I worked out of VISN3...Step 2 grade 8. Combined ICU. Our unit won the AACN Beacon award in 2008!

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.
Hi Jeckrn!

I worked out of VISN3...Step 2 grade 8. Combined ICU. Our unit won the AACN Beacon award in 2008!

I work in western part of VISN4

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I'm with VISN 8.. Yahoo for the VA nurses!!!!!!!!!! I love it there. Great place to work. Magnet status. Great patient care. Busy busy place. Hoping to be a vet soon - NAVY!!!

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One benefit that never shows up in calculations is all the free and discounted recreational activities. I've been in the Army 4+ years (enlisted) and I am still amazed at all the free/cheap trips I can take, concerts I can go to, activities I can do. I've been stationed in Hawaii and Korea, and I've saved hundreds or maybe thousands of dollars because of these benefits, all while getting to do really fun stuff. The Army is working hard to make Soldiers' off duty time enjoyable, and I think they're actually succeeding. Plus, free athletic events (road races, bike races, triathlons, fitness classes) and free/cheap lessons (music, arts, photography, languages) and free/cheap college courses. I get up to $4500 a year to take college courses in Korean or for my BSN pre-requisites despite already having a masters in something else. I think the Army is basically trying to bribe Soldiers and their families to stay in, and this is a great time to be in the military because of it. Some of my older family members' military experiences were nothing like mine. Of course, if you don't like the military lifestyle, then it's not worth it. But I came in as an overweight liberal pacifist musician just wanting to pay off student loans, and I've been happy. Anything can happen (as my poor hippie mother is observing). :)

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Specializes in critical care: trauma/oncology/burns.

Anything can happen (as my poor hippie mother is observing). :)

Kyexplorer:

You made me laugh out loud! Good thing I wasn't drinking anything at that time. I am also one of those "hippie" people and look at me now!

athena ANC HOOAH!

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