What is military nursing like and which branch is best?

SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2011

I can't explain in detail what military nursing is like because I'm still at officer's basic course in Texas, but as far as training goes, it's not boot camp at all. Not even a little. As an officer, you don't have to live on base but you can if you want. Yes, there are sacrifices you will have to make in order to serve and it will include relenquishing some of your free time, but when you take an oath as an officer, you are agreeing to put the needs of your nation above your own. To a degree, you are at their mercy, but I've found that my branch (Army) at least seems to be pretty good at taking care of their own.

As far as the best branch, that's something you have to decide. Most of us will say that we consider our branch the best (just the nature of the beast). They all vary in function, however, and nurses from those different branches will be able to give you the best idea of what those variations are. The Army is my personal preference because when/if I deploy (emphasis on "when"), I want to be on the ground near the action because my interest is in emergency/trauma nursing. Not that Navy or AF nurses don't see that, but I want to be in the thick of it, not in the air or on a ship, which is possible if you're in the other branches. Ask around and let people give you their opinions and advice, just like you're doing now, and do your own research. If you have questions, feel free to send me a private message. I'm going to go to my first duty station at Walter Reed in DC in less than a month and will be able to tell you more of the specifics of my branch once I'm actually in my field. Good luck!