So, in summary, if you are joining the military to be in on the action, to be on the front lines, and to shoot your weapon, the Marines might be the best choice for you. Make sure you read over each Services Regulations. It may even benefit some, some people are far out of each other's leagues, but the military seems to even the playing field :), I am an CNA ...and thinking about joining the military too. Remember- you can always say no. Our 10 year Anniversary is coming up this September. Sorry. The military really is a good thing and I am glad I joined. The military is going to suck if you are just wanting a job. I planned on giving it the initial first run of whatever the obligation they require then once it was over if it was worth it signing back up of giving it up...so thank you guys for the advice and insight its still a serious decision and Im still weighing all my options:coollook: allnurses is a Nursing Career, Support, and News Site. Very, very, VERY few nurses are ever KIA. A Military Nurse is a member of the armed forces who cares for patients in the military all over the world and veterans in the US. I am excited about joining the military as an RN, so this really let me down. I will be graduating with a BS in Nursing this coming August. Below is a listing of the Branches and F… However, all branches (maybe not Marines) have some medical jobs. Iraq, Afghanistan, and currently he is in Iraq again. I am hoping it was just his personality and will try calling another recruiter for the Navy. I'd like to get more information on which branch would offer me the most and what my day-to-day life would be like as a nurse in the army or air force. I am sure there were many more medics than nurses KIA and also likely fewer PA's and MD's than RN's. :). Recruiters lie (or at least bend the truth). Your time in service looks great on a resume. According to numerous pay websites, officers in the Nurse Corps earn a base pay from $58,000 to $103,000 annually – an average of $70,559 each year. The Army Reserve requires an 8-year commitment with service from three to six years. Since 1997, allnurses is trusted by nurses around the globe. any branch except for the Marines. Hi there,Ive been a Family Nurse Practitioner for the past two years and Ive been thinking about joining one of the military reserves in order to supplement my income and to help pay off all of my student loan debt. Research each branch of service and make a list of the pro and con on your own. Be sure that your spouse to be is strong enough to take care of the family and household issues that will come along! What you should be concerned about is the location of the bases. 1. Forget about the quality of food on base. I do not know what you mean by "program" and do not know what qualities would make it "best" in your mind. Should I be worried about this? During WWI one hundred and ten female Army troops were KIA, During WWII greater than four hundred female Army troops were KIA (this includes several dozen ANC SMs). Since VIetNam over 36 Army Nurse Corps troops have been KIA (including Desert Storm, OIF and OEF) This number does not include the physicians, PA's, and Medics that have died, as well. Also know that the military-- any military-- will put you where they need you first, then maybe where you want to be. Fantastic growth opportunities come from any Branch of Service. Hopefully me hijacking your thread will yield some answers for you as well! For any branch, you have to be an RN to join as a nurse. These nurses may also work in hospitals or global response centers alongside deployed military personnel during natural disasters or … Specializes in Mental health, substance abuse, geriatrics, PCU. I would never put down anyone's service for our country, I am simply trying to give another perspective. Specializes in Long term care; med-surg; critical care. I am thinking about joining the military, but am unsure of which branch would be best. ... Vineyard Vines: 15% off for active duty, reserve, veteran and retired members of any branch of the U.S. Military. I can't speak to how life as a nurse would be, but I can certainly tell you about life in the military. We met in 2000, right after he returned to full time service and we married in 2001. The only good thing about deployments is a bit of extra income and the homecoming. I will get my MSN and FNP in 2013 and was wondering if the military branches would have need for FNPs? The spouse and children must be or become very independent whether they want to or not. You will have unpredictable work hours, frequent moves, frequent changes in your kids schools etc. You will get management responsibilities and training you might never get in the civilian sector and see/do things you would never have the opportunity to do without having been in the service. Each has a different mission. He said living conditions are much better at the CSH then on the FST because he has his own CHU with a personal shower and internet access. Our members represent more than 60 professional nursing specialties. I spent 8 months on an Army base to learn my job, and they have the worst food. I couldn't understand what the services meant by the saying that families were there at the CONVIENIENCE OF THAT INDIVIDUAL SERVICE". If you’re shopping for financial help with costly nursing school loans and you’ve not considered a branch of the military, you’re overlooking one of the most lucrative financial vehicles available when it comes to cash for college. His first deployment of our marriage was two back to back deployments and he was gone for a total of 13 months. Nurses can serve their country as part of the U.S. military, providing healthcare to military members, their families, and people the military helps worldwide. Annual training may also consist of specialty training, professional development courses or leadership training. Nurses working for the U.S. military services earn commission, or pay, that is competitive with national standards. I'm disappointed to hear that you don't recommend joining if I want to raise a family. In the grand scheme of things, that is not very long. I cant imagine it would be any different for a trauma nurse. I don't think any area of the military is better or worse than another. Specializes in Mental health, substance abuse, geriatrics, PCU. I have worked as a civilian nurse for over 10 years before going on active duty so I have seen both sides. My point was simply this: If you are going into the Armed Forces, the Army Nurse Corp is probably one of the "safest" specialties you can go into. I would LOVE more information on experiences as an officer in the military - specifically nursing or the healthcare field! 1-612-816-8773. From RN to LPN to Advance Practice Nurses, working with military service members and their families requires commitment and additional competencies. You might be called to provide nursing care during a national or state emergency (Take for instance the Midwest is flooding) You may also backfill nursing positions for the Active Duty. He makes great money with Base Pay and BAH, BAS, etc - after 11 years in Active Duty as a Major and with his current deployment reducing his taxes, I think it would be rude to say how much he makes on the forum, but it is double what I make as a civilian RN. Im really just wanting stability. My recommendation is to know if you're going to join- family life will not be healthy or perfect or easy in any manner. I spent nearly seven years as an officer in the Marines, I've done research into military nursing, and I worked closely with officers in the medical community (flight doctors and nurses). But I already have a family...I went in and spoke with the Army Recruiter he was nice and helpful...he told me to take my time and think about it...that was 6 months ago n Im still undecided. Nurses in the military? i first looked into the navy too but the guy was kind of snotty and told me not to talk to him till i was 6 months away from graduating so that when i walked over to the air force and they have been nothing but extemely nice. Families are brought along at the convieniece of the Goverment! I was 4 months pregnant with our son Noah when he left for Iraq. My brother served in the Army (4yrs) and I served in the Air Force (6yrs). Don't join the military. Stability is the last thing your going to have the majority of the time in the military. Not exactly military, but you get the commission, uniform, pay and federal retirement. We do very little trauma in our hospitals and deployments are unpredictable and currently few and far between. Military nurses are similar to floor nurses in that they spend most of their time providing direct patient care. I am thinking about joining the military, but am unsure of which branch would be best. At either level of enlistment you are potentially qualified for amazing sign-on bonuses and/or equally impressive student loan repayment. I would think they would be in need of FNPs, as well. He looks HOT in his uniform. 5. Military nurses might work either at home or in foreign countries. There are lots of military marriages that work just fine. Has 18 years experience. The most common settings for military nurses to work include military bases, military hospitals, and clinics. The food was definitely better in the Air Force and I feel that they are more geared to a family lifestyle, BUT country definitely comes first. Haha - you are more than welcome to highjack my thread. The one big thing the military does make you do is take responsibility for your life and not rely on others to do it for you. I am thinking they are looking more specifically for critical care or the nursing fields along those lines over a nurse geared towards family practice. ... determine the best course of action, ... Thousands of airmen across 13 eligible career fields have signed up to move permanently into the newest military branch. (Maybe 1 in the past 50+ years). It is very helpful information. 5. Has 38 years experience. But i am not quite sure what branch is the best for what i want to do. 2. Deployments stink no matter how short or long you're gone. The Navy, for example, offers a full tuition ride (unless you can find a school that charges over $180,000) to high school students going into a nursing program, or up to $34,000 to current student nurses through their Nurse Candidate Program. Ive been seriously considering joining the military as well esp. Wherever they need you. Upon completion of his BSN he re-joined Active Duty. (Think "honeymoon") He has been on a Forward Surgical Team twice and is the OIC of the ICU and ICW at a CSH this deployment. If you want to start from the beginning Go to First Page. The United States Army Nurse Corp was first established in 1901. Yes, the Army Reserves do seem to be used much more than the other Branches. You might be a rehabilitation nurse, or a burn nurse. I would never suggest the military for anyone who wants to start a family. Start researching your product! Has 43 years experience. 4. I truly am sorry for the mis-information with regards to Nurse Corp Officers that were killed in the line of duty. The job outlook for military nurses is particularly good. Since 1997, allnurses is trusted by nurses around the globe. All branches offer and promise the moon! Deciding on which branch of the military you want to join is easy for some, and not so easy for others.Some have their hearts set on a particular branch for a wide variety of reasons, including: 1. Congratulations on graduating soon. Don’t look at your pay compared to civilian nurses for the first couple years. i believe Active Army Nurses still require a BSN! (That's something I like...lol). We live in Georgia now, in the Augusta region as he is stationed at Fort Gordon, and I like it here also. just thought i would join in on your thread. Keep up the outstanding and caring nursing! I am very interested in specializing in Emergency/Trauma nursing. 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