Things You Need to Know About Military Nurse

---

What if you could show your patriotism and love of the country in a different way? Consider the option of becoming a military nurse. This allows you to excel in your profession by changing the scenery and opening up yourself to new challenges and responsibilities. The military employs many nurses at various levels, and may actually place you in an international setting. While the scenery is certainly exotic, you will be relying on your basic training.

The Job Description

A military nurse knows how to treat wounds, administer medication and perform other methods of treatment for patients, serving ultimately as a patient advocate. Because of the military setting, you will be treating soldiers and war refugees, and possibly setting up triages in war zones. This is a fast-paced environment and one that will require counseling skills, communicative skills, and of course, expert-level medical knowledge.

The benefits of the profession are in competitive pay and perks, educational opportunities, and financial incentives, making the transition from soldier much more comfortable. You can reach out in a number of fields, including critical care, anesthesia, psychiatry, and other avenues. In fact, there are subfields of this subfield, making it ideal for ambition nurses who want to move up and establish a reputation.

Interviews with Military Nurses

Maj. Leonardo Pascual, Jr., RN, BSN, was interviewed by Working Nurse, and shared some knowledge on his profession, working as an OR nurse and healthcare recruiter. One of the challenges he mentioned was the possibility of deployment and relocation on a fairly consistent basis. Military families certainly have to adjust to the lifestyle.

He cited one of the best advantages of military nursing is in the clinical and leadership skills you can learn, all the while serving, even going so far as to earn a PhD if you choose. He told the website, “More than 90 percent of Army nurses have a master’s degree or a Ph.D. and some choose to earn a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree. The Army also has its own nurse researchers and other nurse specialists.” He mentioned the support of family and friends as being a very important factor as regards moral support.

We also added a warning that “What we see on the battlefield is unlike what you might see at home in a trauma hospital…(these are often) once-in-a-lifetime experiences for a clinician.”

A feature by Whitny Doyle, RN, revealed some interesting facts about military nursing and security—no doubt what every applicant out there is wondering. Contrary to what you might believe, it is not a constant war zone feeling when you’re deployed. A nurse named Amy, choosing anonymity, stated, “I felt safe on base. The greatest threat to my safety was the random mortar and rocket attacks we received. I was never allowed to go into the Red Zone, where the real danger was. Nurses were protected…even over-protected.”

Planning Your Career

If you want to spread your wings professionally, what better way than to hop aboard a helicopter and become a military nurse? This is a job for the applicant who is ambitious, medically competent and curious about new diagnoses, and one that is courageous.