Registered Nurse in the Military

I'm actually a doc in the Navy.

OIS = Officer Indoctrination School = the Navy's wimpy version of boot for officers. 6 weeks, used to be Rhode Island (might still be), pretty easy. Not the "in your face" boot you see in movies or TV.

Yeah, lots of revolving door. Also disgruntled folks that didn't get what they want, but it's only a year!

I used to work in an ER as a civilian. The benefits of military life are pretty good. Usually good hours, free health care, retirement at 20 years, decent salary (nurses are probably on par w/ civilian, usually), respect. The downside is the occasional break from your family, which can be good or bad. Civilian life is nice cuz you can work OT, work a second job easier, often better advancement opportunities. Depends on what you like.

Might be worth looking into other opportunities for nursing too, public health corps and things of that nature. Plus, there are civilian contract jobs at military facilities.

 

Sounds like even more reason to go Air Guard...from my limited knowledge of course. My mothers service was during a much different time for our nation. AFAIK the air guard is still less fluid and a much tighter type of unit.

 

Ah you're a doc. very cool. I used to work ER as a tech/EMT. I'm working on a tele unit now as an LVN... and then RN soon. Maybe I'll finish taking a bunch of chem and physics and try my luck at the MCAT. I used to work w/ an ER Doc that was a prior RN, at any rate...

So you can't work OT in the Navy as a nurse?

I've looked into public health briefly, but I should delve deeper. One of the main forces driving me to the Military is my school debt. I want to pay it off as fast as possible. Sure, we're all in debt till we die but I don't wanna get comfortable w/ that mindset.