What branch of Military to become a nurse in?

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Specializes in Progressive Care (Step-down).

I have been an RN for a little over a year. I am currently working on my bachelor's degree and should be done by December of 2011. I work in PCU. I am a 25 year old single female and I am dying to travel the world and be a part of something honorable for my country. I have no children or any ties right now. I guess I am just curious if I should join the military as a navy nurse or army nurse. Also, I am wondering what kind of initial "boot camp" or whatever I will have to do. I am also wondering how female nurses in the military are treated? Will I be able to live on base while doing nursing? Guess, I have just always had the desire to join the military and just want some opinion on what being a nurse would be like and how much I would get to travel?

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.
I have been an RN for a little over a year. I am currently working on my bachelor's degree and should be done by December of 2011. I work in PCU. I am a 25 year old single female and I am dying to travel the world and be a part of something honorable for my country. I have no children or any ties right now. I guess I am just curious if I should join the military as a navy nurse or army nurse. Also, I am wondering what kind of initial "boot camp" or whatever I will have to do. I am also wondering how female nurses in the military are treated? Will I be able to live on base while doing nursing? Guess, I have just always had the desire to join the military and just want some opinion on what being a nurse would be like and how much I would get to travel?

In order to find out what branch is right for you, you will need to speak with a health care recruiter from each branch. Intial training or "boot camp" is not like boot camp which enlisted go thru. Each service is different but no where near the same level as the enlisted because as an officer you are considered to be a professional. Female nurses for the most part are treated the same as their male counterparts, but like civilian world there are differences depending on where you work. Also, in the military you are an officer and in time you can out rank the physicians. The military is also less tolerant to abusive physicians then the civilian world. As far as living on base that depends on the base you are assigned to. Some bases have single officer quarters and others do not. Once you have dependents, ie spouse or kids, the same holds true, not all bases have enough on base housing where others do. How much you travel depends on what position you are in. Also you can PCS, change duty stations, every 2-4 years.

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Specializes in Critical care.

I agree with jeckrn. You should talk to different branches and see which is right for you. Make sure it's an healthcare recruiter and not enlisted being that you'll be completing your BSN in 2011. Good luck

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I think you should look at the patient population.. look at the primary hospital locations... look at personal 'gut feeling' of what appeals to you - and the nursing specialties available. 99% of that info can be found via each .mil recruiting site and on this forum + a few google searches. If you talk to each recruiter you will spend a lot of time and probably walk away with less info - granted you will probably get some nice recruiting brochures as a result.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
I guess I am just curious if I should join the military as a navy nurse or army nurse.

Just wondering -- why aren't you considering the Air Force as well?

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