Military Nurse

[newdawn4]

Hi everyone,

My D will be starting AFROTC this fall and will be a Nursing major. Does anyone have any thoughts, experience etc. on being a nurse in the military?

Thank you in advance for your help!

[kp2001]

I'm going to move this to the Off-Topic forum...

But to answer your question. I work with military nurses on pretty much a daily basis. They get some interesting experiences that civilian nurses don't get because almost all of them I know have deployed.

[newdawn4]

Thanks KP 2001!!

Where were the nurses deployed? I'm okay with her being deployed. Of course as a mother I would prefer she doesn't get sent to Iraq. Would you know the chances of her as an AF nurse getting deployed to the middle east?

Also, if you can recall, do the nurses you know seem to be happy with their career choice in joining the military?

Any input/thoughts you may have is greatly appreciated!!

[kp2001]

They are pretty much all being deployed to the middle east. Luckily for your daughter she has four years before that would become a possibility, so there is always the chance that we will no longer be there in that time.

Most that I work with seem to be happy with their choice, they enjoy the fact that they are given responsibility early in their careers. Some of the happiest I met were ones who went on to become CRNA's (Nurse Anesthesists) who work in the OR's giving anesthesia.

[USNA69]

Originally Posted by kp2001

Some of the happiest I met were ones who went on to become CRNA's (Nurse Anesthesists) who work in the OR's giving anesthesia.

Is this a nitrous oxide joke?

[jamzmom]

Good one 69.

Newdawn4, right now as I write this, there are well over 100 nurses sailing on the USNS Comfort on a humanitarian mission to 12 countries. Two of them were chasing down my son to give him a Hep A shot two days ago. He was running saying, "I swear I have written proof I've had that one! Nooooo!" Good thing he had papers. They meant business. He said they are so excited to be on this mission and that they are awesome to talk to. I'm wondering how long before he starts pretending to be sick.......

[USNA69]

I never met any AF nurses but the Army and Navy ones I have known seem to be happy with their jobs. I knew a lot of the nurses at the MASH type unit at Bien Thuey during Vietnam and they were very dedicated and did a great job.

Christmas Eve, 1971, Bien Thuey, mini R & R, went to the NEX and bought a color TV. Back to the BOQ (Quonset Hut), unpacked it, and set it up on the table right next to the screen window. Working great. Reached down to take off my boots. Quiet. Something didn't sound right. Looked up. Giant cut in the screen and my TV was gone. Straight to the MASH O'Club. An Army nurse kept me "sedated" all evening to keep me from going out and personally accosting every likely looking suspect on base. I think that is the night I stole the fire marshall's jeep and we tried to launch it on the duty runway. Oh well, another story.

[justawife]

One of my best buds is an ex-Major/flight nurse. She loved working in the AF, she flew on C-9s for a tour and met her husband a pilot of the C-9.

She tells me that with the nursing shortage on the civie side, AF life is a little more stable. I am refering to work hours and duties. She loved nursing in the AF, but dual military couple got more difficult as they both got higher in rank. She finally bailed as an 0-4, her husband now wearing a star.

There is also a difference in the civie world, as a nurse in a hosptial you can stay a regular floor nurse for your entire career. In the military as you rise in rank, you will be expected to supervise other nurses and lead them. You maybe sent to jobs that you don't always like, but there are no strikes about hours, benefits or lay-offs to cut cost.

Basically she will like the work and when she is sick of it she can leave and write her ticket for where she wants to live and work. Where else can you live in Germany, work for 4 years and then move to Alaska.

[newdawn4]

THANKS EVERYONE for your input. My daughter definitely looks forward to the leadership training/experience and the traveling opportunities.

Funny story - Yesterday, my sister was trying to convince me to have my daughter do a different career because she feels nursing is way too much work. I started to question it too. So I prayed on it and went to bed. This morning, my associate could not meet one of our clients as scheduled and asked if I can take care of her. Wouldn't you know, this new client happens to be a retired Army nurse and she got me all excited about the career again for my daughter. (God works in mysterious ways!)

Thanks again