Military Nursing Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a nurse in the military? For someone that has a desire to become a nurse and lacks the financial means to do so, a military career may be a way to obtain your goals. Going into the training of a nursing program within the military could help you receive an education and be prepared for a career in nursing. Benefits of Military Nursing If you are a nurse in the military, and have experience working with patients injured from the field, you are well on your way to being an expert in the field of plastic surgery. Much of plastic surgery was learned and started from trauma surgeons on the battlefield. Working with soldiers with injuries of varying degrees can offer an experience beyond anything you could obtain in a classroom. A Nurse’s Experience Val wanted to be a nurse from the time she was a little girl, so it was disappointing that she could not afford to pay for school when the time came. She checked out several options and decided to join the army and receive medical training. 4 years later Val was a registered nurse, and on her way to Afghanistan. She was assigned to a pre-fab makeshift hospital in the desert, set up to treat as many as 100 injured soldiers at one time. According to Val, the hospital was more stocked and supplied with equipment than she expected, which was good, to the goal was to save lives. Her first day there was calm, however the second day brought 34 injured soldiers from a ground battle. Val said she could not believe what she saw, one soldier was missing a leg, and in shock, several had head injuries, there were some broken bones, and severe wounds. Her work day started at 7, and ended at 11:30pm, but everyone had received care, and all were resting comfortably. The following two years in the country went fast for Val, she said time was up before she knew it. Because there were times that a number of casualties would arrive, Val had experience and expertise beyond the average registered nurse. Related: Retiring From a Nursing Career When Val returned to the states she quickly found a position as head nurse for a trauma surgeon. Her experience made her the ideal candidate, and Val had finally achieved her goal of being a nurse, her favorite saying, where there is a will there is a way. Not every nurse that trains in the military leaves the service to practice privately. Some opt to stay and continue to use their nursing skills within
the realms of the military branch they are serving. For a person that joins the military at age 18, could potentially study to become a nurse, and remain in the military until retirement, which for the military could be at age 38. They could have a full-time retirement pay from the military, and have plenty of years left to work in the private sector of nursing. This arrangement could be very lucrative as military benefits would continue for life. Related: 5 Hairstyles That Will Keep Your Hair Out Of Your Face Military Nursing Domestically Not every military nurse goes out of the country and into an area of war. There are numerous veterans’ hospitals within the United States that treat military personnel. Treatments do not necessarily pertain to injuries incurred during service. VA hospitals and clinics treat veterans for any condition just as a private sector physician and clinic does. There is currently a shortage of all medical personnel in military hospitals, which has prompted them to hire from outside the military. If you are a licensed nurse, and have a desire to work in a military hospital, it will probably be quite simple to do; they are in need of nurses. Depending on what area you reside in, check the website for the VA clinic, and from there search for open jobs, remember you do not have to be military affiliated to work there. You will experience the opportunity to serve your country in a different way, and treat some very grave men and women as you do so. You can gain very valuable experience as a military nurse that can be carried over into private practice. At the same time, you can help men and women in uniform as you learn: A win-win situation for the right person. Related: Registered Nurse Marie Lois Haran, RN, MSN, will be Honorably Mentioned in the Worldwide Leaders in Healthcare Please follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest, Twitter