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
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