Opportunities For Military Nurses

For many nurses or people wishing to go into the nursing field it’s important to look outside the box for employment or life opportunities. Some nurses may wish to work in a hospital or they may enjoy the quiet, easy pace of a family care physician’s office. However, some nurses may just be looking for that next adventure and a career with great employment opportunities.

Whatever opportunities that a nurse is looking for it’s a good idea to look into the military. Today the military offers many programs both for men and women in the field of nursing. These careers may be stepping stones to other careers or could be the calling of a lifetime. Here are some opportunities offered by the U.S. military.

Opportunities For Nurses In The Military

1. Navy Nurse Corp.- The Naval Academy offers various nursing programs individuals to enter up on signing up. As well, if a nurse with a degree applies and is accepted into the Navy, he or she will be a candidate for the officer program. Being in the officer program in the navy is a great way to earn experience and get promoted quick.

2. Air force Nurse Corp.- Like the Navy, the Air force also offers a comprehensive nursing program and candidacy in the officer’s program upon acceptance with a previously held degree.

3. Go Army Nurse Corp.- The army Nurse corp is much like the navy and the air force. The army nurse corp. also offers great opportunities for advancement and promotion.

4. Army National Guard- The army national guard is always looking for nurses to give their time and join the national guard. This is great for nurses who want to get involved, but have other career opportunities.

Their are many opportunities for nurses in the military. Whether that be nurses who want are looking for a career or nurses who are just looking to offer some of their time for compensation.

Military Nursing and You

Have you considered joining the military? Well, then you are not alone! Approximately 1.4 million people were reported to be serving on active duty in 2009. With all of these people serving the United States, it is obvious that nurses will be in high demand. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that nursing currently has the highest number of job openings in the medical field.

Since the Veteran’s Health Administration, also known as the VA, was founded in July of 1930, it has focused on the health and care for those who serve their country. With more than 150 VA hospitals nationwide serving more than five million, the VA is one of the largest hospital systems in the United States. With more than 60,000 nurses, the VA employs the largest number of nurses in the world.

Becoming a military nurse can certainly jump start a great career. As a military nurse you will have the added benefit of being able to see the world and make a difference. Whether you are stateside or travel with troops overseas, there are plenty of opportunities to help those who bravely serve. One of the benefits of serving as a military nurse is having access to some of the most advanced technology available.

Financially speaking, serving the military is a step in the right direction. Not only does the salary compare to or exceed civilian wages, as a member of the armed forces you will also receive 30 days of paid vacation. Along with a full retirement once you have served for 20 years, the military will take care of you. If you are already a registered nurse, the military may even have a loan repayment program available for you. Add on a signing bonus and the decision to join just becomes that much easier.

The Royal Army Nursing Corps

Military nursing is something that offers benefits to any military service. The British caught onto the benefits in 1902 with the foundation of the Imperial Army Nursing Corps. The corps was founded under Queen Alexandra, who presided as president. In 1949, the British Army recognised the corp, and it was then renamed in order to be a part of the Royal Army. Specifically, it was renamed to Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps. Queen Alexandra remained president until she passed away in 1925 and she was preceded by Queen Mary.

Later on in 1909, a second branch was founded: The Territorial Force Nursing Service, or TFNS for short. TFNS was founded with the idea that it would make up for any shortcomings that The Royal Army encountered, specifically in emergency situations. The people who were a part of TFNS were civilian nurses. Later, in 1920, TFNS was changed to the Territorial Army Nursing Service or TANS instead of being a civilian establishment. In 1941, members were permitted pay and rank that was equal and identical to that of the Army.

In 1949 the armed forces finally adopted the female divisions as part of the official armed forces. With this adoption the forces took up the ranking system based around the armed forces, which made the chief matron a Senior Controller. However, in 1950 they reverted to normal Army ranks, though titles were still given for a professional attitude. In 1956 more ranks were adopted.

The nurses played a major role for the British army, insuring the health and well-being of the soldiers at war. These nurses, among others who have faithfully served their countries, have made an impeccable indent on military history and strides that have furthered medical advances to what we know today as modern medicine. Thanks to their efforts, health care is phenomenally improved.

Military Nursing Providing Exciting, New Career Opportunities

PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI - FEBRUARY 20:  Doctors,...
Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Military Nursing Providing Exciting, New Career Opportunities

There are a significant number of advantages to the man or woman choosing to pursue a nursing career in the military. These range from substantial pay bonuses to a much wider degree of on-the-job training. There are also a wide variety of benefits that are unique to those trained and serving as a military nurse, including best in class benefits, many retirement benefit programs, and up to a month each year in paid vacation time. But perhaps most importantly, you’ll have the unique perspective as a military nurse of also being a soldier. This provides the nurse serving in the military with the ability to empathize with your patients as no other nurse could do. This empathy has been proven to be a critical aspect of the healing process for patients.

Research and Consulting Opportunities for Military Nurses

Another unique aspect of a career as a military nurse is the opportunities you’ll have for research and consulting. On the research side, military nurses have a tremendous opportunity to use cutting-edge, state of the art technology that is otherwise often not available to someone who works as a traditional nurse. This will likely be a decided advantage for the nurse who may eventually decide to enter the traditional nursing field. Military nurses also have unique opportunities to study in a wide range of medicine-related categories, giving them advancement potential. On the consulting side, military nurses also have the chance to work closely with highly-trained medical professionals to determine best practices for helping a patient to heal.

Greater Autonomy for Military Nurses

Military nurses also enjoy an autonomy unique to their profession. Because of the degree of training required in order to be certified as a military nurse, military nurses frequently are called upon to make important decisions as to a patient’s state as well as determining possible scenarios for recovery. Although it is true that being a nurse is a fulfilling opportunity for anyone serving in this capacity; having the chance to be a military nurse may be the best of both worlds.

Enhanced by Zemanta

Military Need for Nurses Constant and Growing

Maj. Gen. Stanley Gorenc (left) and his brothe...
Image via Wikipedia

Military Need for Nurses Constant and Growing

When considering a career in nursing, one option that should always be included in your research is the military. The need for highly-skilled, seasoned nurses in a wide variety of specialties within the military has never been greater. It is also expected that this need will continue to expand for as far out as experts can project. There are many factors to consider when deciding whether becoming a military nurse is the right call.

Military Nursing a Unique Opportunity to Serve

First of all, it is helpful to define just what a military nurse does, and how it differs from a more traditional nursing career. A military nurse essentially does what any other nurse does, only within a military setting, both in peace and during war. Each branch of the military (Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force) have their own division of nurses. A military nurse can be classified in one or more of the following classifications during the course of their career: Active duty, reserves and eventually civilian employment. It is wise to do a great deal of research and considering of one’s options before making the commitment to military service. It isn’t for everyone. Some are better off taking a more traditional path. This being said, military nursing should be something you consider seriously.

Career in Military Nursing Both Challenging and Rewarding

There are also a significant number of different roles that a military nurse can fill during their work life. These cover the entire range of medical professions and specialties, and provide opportunity to either pursue general practice or a more advanced specialty. The freedom to choose is entirely based on what you desire in your career. It is also important to note the unique challenges associated with a military nursing career, which of course can include being stationed in a battle zone, thousands of miles from home and family. There is also a required period of active duty. But to those who choose this path, the rewards and experiences for growth seem to come everyday.

Enhanced by Zemanta