Who has done the military route?!

[TYoungRNBSN]

New grad here, annoyed with lack of opportunity for new grads, so I decided to meet with an air force recruiter (finally someone who wants me!) but I am a little scared. I am young and so many new things are happening ahh! The recruiter said I would join as an officer have 4 weeks of boot, 6 weeks of training and a high chance of being located at a place of my choosing. Any how anyone with any experience....is this a good deal? Should I take it and run with it? Or was is a bad experience for you? Advice appreciated =D

[TYoungRNBSN]

When we had spoke the recruiter had said that experience wasn't needed because of my BSN and I just had to pass NCLEX to be able to join. Also that I would def get my job, possibly a bonus and all that jazz and that they needed more of us. Liking the advice its good to hear about the good and the bad please keep it coming =D

[just_cause, BSN, RN]

That is correct. To meet the base line requirements you need a BSN.. that is a standard requirement. As I mentioned read this forum.. to get a perspective on the actual recruitment process.. most recently the Army had about 450 applicants for 50 slots... these are 450 fully qualified and completed packets that made it to the board... 50 were selected. Majority of these all had experience.. a few didn't but had exceptional qualities in other areas (ie life experience, prior service enlisted/officer, etc). This is an annual board so for Army next board isn't until next October....

Air force has a smaller nurse corp and historically is a bit more competitive.. so you can take that with a grain of salt.

At this time there is not a shortage of nurses in the army/air force/navy there is competitive surplus of applicants every year combined with a higher retention rate service wide.. leading the accepted applicants to be more qualified.. to be experienced... etc.

Are you talking with a health care recruiter or a standard recruiter?

[TYoungRNBSN]

Standard recruiter that apparently didn't spin it to me straight, starting to think I should just consider going back to school I suppose there is just no opportunity for new grads. The only people I have seen get a position are those who have known someone, being a nurse was def spun to me the wrong way too...for the past 5 years all I have heard is that I will for sure have a job =/ that and the fact that I love nursing. New question anyone know of something I can go back to school for and actually get work?

[RNburnout]

Don't totally write off nursing. You may have to move somewhere else that has a lower surplus of new grad nurses. Be very persistent. You may need to revise your resume. You may even have to take jobs that dont appeal to you like long term care, night shift, PRN or part time stuff. But it is easier to find a job when you have a job and can list experiences that you have. And if you truely want to be a military nurse be persistent, dont do it soley for the purpose of wanting to obtain a nursing job. I havent actually worked as an Army nurse but i can know that once i start that this commitment will be for greater than my current 36hr a week job. Best wishes!!!

[TYoungRNBSN]

I realize I might have to start somewhere un-awesome or move, after work everyday I research other states ect and apply. I figured the military would be a good route the way it was presented to me but I don't know much about it thus the thread but according to the thread its just as competitive if not more, I plan to meet with the recruiter again since I have now passed NCLEX. My sole reason for getting into nursing was to do critical care (the love for it has only grown stronger after rocking the ER,ICU and NICU during clinical, and yes I was told I rocked these areas) and that's just impossible if you don't get experience in a hospital...hopefully one day I can get there. You mentioned I may need to update my resume...below I am posting it any input from anyone would be appreciated.

Resume (keep in mind it looks less sloppy in Word)

T(full name) Young, BSN, RNaddress ♦ Las Vegas, NV 89129 ♦ phone ♦ email

Objective

My objective is to obtain a full time position as a Registered Nurse at _____, where I hope to establish my nursing practice and continue my education.

Education

Nevada State College, Henderson

Graduation Date: December 2010

Degree: Bachelor of Science, NursingGPA: 3.66

Honors and Awards

Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing- Zeta Kappa Chapter: Inducted April 2010

Graduated with honors Magna Cum Laude: December 2010

Licenses

Registered Nurse issued by the Nevada State Board of Nursing

Certifications

Current BLS Certification-Basic Life Support

Conferences

Psychiatric Nursing Conference, Las Vegas, NV: April 2010

Summary of Qualifications

Strong assessment & critical thinking skills ♦ Outstanding therapeutic communication skills ♦ Broad knowledge of pathophysiology & pharmacology ♦ Passionate in providing safe patient care ♦ Excellent with time management ♦ Caring attitude ♦ Seeks help appropriately ♦ Willing to accept new challenges ♦ Punctual ♦ Competent ♦ Responsible ♦ Flexible ♦ Team player ♦ Great with conflict and conflict resolution ♦ Proficient in documentation & computer skills

Work Experience

RCARE

Las Vegas, NV

December 2010 – Present

Home Health Aide

-Responsibilities: Assisted clients with their activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living such as bathing, cleaning and shopping.

M View Hospital

Las Vegas, NV

July 2010 – December 2010

Nurse Apprentice

-Responsibilities: Computer documented, obtained vital signs, monitored intake and output, assisted patients with activities of daily living, answered call lights, reported relevant changes in patient status to Registered Nurse, performed basic patient care under the supervision of a RN; performed nursing skills under the supervision of a RN.

Nevada State College

January 2009 - December 2010

Henderson, NV

Student Nurse

-Responsibilities: As a student, practiced effectively in a variety of clinical settings such as preceptorship in the ICU with increased levels of nursing complexity and autonomy. In addition participated in an optional elective clinical at Mountain View Hospital on the medical/surgical floor Summer of 2009.

Volunteer Experience

Bone Marrow Drive ♦ Be the Match January 2010

Educated potential bone marrow donors and obtained buccal specimens for donor screening.

Susan G. Komen ♦ Race For the Cure May 2010

Assisted in the fundraising efforts for the foundation by securing and collecting pledges and by community event participation.

Membership

American Nurses Association, student member: October 2010

Nevada Nurses Association, student member: October 2010