Debating whether or not to choose Nursing.

[Steel1289]

My name is Steel and I am a Junior in highschool. I am at that age where i need to seriously start considering a career choice. I have researched Nursing and it sounds like a great career for me. I am great at Science and i do believe i am good at helping people. I will admit, being a male is the one thing that is making me question this career. I feel like people will look down upon and laugh at me for choosing this career. (Though i feel it won't happen) Also i have some generic questions. I am confused on the different types of RN's. If i choose this career i would choose a BSN at NGCSU which is located at Dahlonega, Georgia. Also i heard begining pay once you enter the field is not that much and it will take a couple of years to get good pay. Could someone clarify my questions please? Thanks!

[SoldierNurse]

My name is Steel and I am a Junior in highschool. I am at that age where i need to seriously start considering a career choice. I have researched Nursing and it sounds like a great career for me. I am great at Science and i do believe i am good at helping people. I will admit, being a male is the one thing that is making me question this career. I feel like people will look down upon and laugh at me for choosing this career. (Though i feel it won't happen) Also i have some generic questions. I am confused on the different types of RN's. If i choose this career i would choose a BSN at NGCSU which is located at Dahlonega, Georgia. Also i heard begining pay once you enter the field is not that much and it will take a couple of years to get good pay. Could someone clarify my questions please? Thanks!

Different types of RNs;
ADN;Associate of Applied Science in Nursing; 2yr college degree plus prereqs
BSN = Bachelor of Science in Nursing; 4 yr university + prereqs
Both ADN & BSN will have various direct patient care opportunities. Not all, but most male RNs [btw, a nurse can also be an LPN or LVN, a 1 yr college nursing program with few prereqs but most are excellent bedside nurses... I digress] gravitate to areas like ER, OR, & ICU. Last I read about 7% of RNs are males in the US, whereas in the Army Medical Dept about 33% are male RNs. Again, I digress but have you considered being an RN in the Army? ... just saying

Anyway,

MSN = Master of Science in Nursing; 6 yr university, etc. required for advanced practice nurse such as Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Anesthetist, Nurse Midwife, Nurse Administrator, and is considered a prereq [so to speak] for doctorate-level nursing education.
The graduate level nursing areas are advanced nursing specialties; Acute Care, Family, Adult, Pediatric, Psych, and Women's Health.

TMI or confused even more?

Ask more specific questions, if you like & I'll try to be more specific.

[Steel1289]

Thanks for responding! I do have another question. I don't really understand what you're talking about when you say prereqs. Also, exactly how can i find more information about becoming a Nurse in the military?

[SoldierNurse]

Thanks for responding! I do have another question. I don't really understand what you're talking about when you say prereqs. Also, exactly how can i find more information about becoming a Nurse in the military?

Prerequisites are courses that must be completed before application/acceptance into a program such as nursing. Or, on singular level algebra is a prereq for a physics course.

Click this link;

Army Nurse Corps Link Info

Then, if you have any more questions please don't hesitate to ask.

[Steel1289]

Hey thanks for the link! I do have some more questions. After looking at this link: GoArmy.com > Army Health Care > Education Opportunities > Undergraduate Health Care Education
I don't really know what program to get more information on. What would be the best for an upcoming college student? What is the difference in active duty and reserve? I don't really understand the financial part of it either. Are they giving me money for doing the program? You have really been a big help so far! I really do thank you for your help!

Steel.

[SoldierNurse]

QUOTE=Steel1289;112918]Hey thanks for the link! I do have some more questions. After looking at this link: GoArmy.com > Army Health Care > Education Opportunities > Undergraduate Health Care Education
I don't really know what program to get more information on. What would be the best for an upcoming college student? What is the difference in active duty and reserve? I don't really understand the financial part of it either. Are they giving me money for doing the program? You have really been a big help so far! I really do thank you for your help!

Steel.[/QUOTE]
Have you considered Army ROTC? Army ROTC Link Info

With real world experience you may not find in nursing school alone, nursing students who are also Army ROTC Cadets benefit from extensive one-on-one mentoring and training. You'll find out exactly what it takes to become a leader in your medical field.

If you're considering an undergraduate nursing degree, enrolling in Army ROTC can enhance your leadership skills and critical-thinking abilities while providing financial support to help make your professional goals a reality. Being a Nurse in the Army provides you with opportunities not found in the civilian world. As an Army Nurse and Officer, you will have the respect of your peers and coworkers as well as opportunities to train and serve in a variety of specialties.

Army ROTC's Nurse Summer Training Program will give you the opportunity to truly fulfill the promises of your training after graduation. Coordinating and communicating patient care, you'll be in a clear position to succeed.

ARMY ROTC AND UNDERGRADUATE NURSING
Nursing students who are also Army ROTC Cadets can benefit from unique hands-on nursing opportunities while receiving financial assistance for college. You will gain valuable leadership experience and management training that can benefit you in either a military or private-sector nursing career.

SCHOLARSHIPS
Army ROTC program offers two-, three- or four-year scholarships for undergraduate nursing students. Contact your high school academic advisor or campus Military Science department for more information.


NURSE SUMMER TRAINING PROGRAM (NSTP)
Nursing students who are also Army ROTC Cadets have an opportunity for a unique summer nursing experience. The paid, three-week Nurse Summer Training Program assigns Cadets to Army hospitals throughout the U.S. and Germany.

The program introduces you to the Army Medical Department (AMEDD) and to the roles and responsibilities of an Army Nurse Corps Officer. Under the supervision of an experienced Army Nurse Corps Officer, you will obtain hands-on experience. Your one-on-one clinical experience will allow you to hone your clinical skills, develop your problem-solving techniques and become comfortable with developing your professional skills as a member of the U.S. Army Healthcare Team.

ACTIVE NURSE CORPS PROGRAM

ARMY NURSE CANDIDATE PROGRAM
This program is open to undergraduate students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited nursing program. It provides:
A $5,000 bonus when you begin the program, plus a $5,000 bonus at graduation
A monthly stipend of $1,000 during the months you are enrolled in a full-time Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education-, or National League for Nursing-accredited nursing program. Eligibility requirements:

*Bachelor of Science degree must be completed within 6 - 24 months

*Pass NCLEX-RN exam prior to commissioning as an Army Nurse Corps Officer

*U.S. citizenship
_______________________

I can give you some good insight with a little bio to serve as first hand knowledge for you regards to Active Component & Reserve Component.

I have 14 years total military service both active & reserve; 8 yrs USMC [1980-1988] Avionics Tech & more recent ANC [RC] Reserve Component [2003-2006] and now [AC] Active Component [2006-present]. My AOC[Area of Concentration] is 66H [Med/Surg] with additional identifier of 8A [Critical Care]. So, as an 66H8A I work in the ICU when assigned to a MedCen [Military Medical Center], MedAc [Military Community Hospital], or CSH, pronounced "cash" [Combat Support Hospital].

I've been assigned to both a MedCen [(MAMC)Madigan Army Medical Center, FT Lewis, WA] & a CSH [31st CSH, FT Bliss, EL Paso, TX] at MAMC I worked in a 10-bed ICU working three 12hr shifts one week f/by four 12 hr shifts the next week & schedule pretty much was consistent. The nusing staff was a mix of active duty military, reservist that had been mobilzed CONUS [to active duty within continental United States], and civilians that were either full-time staff [with or without prior service, contract. For example, my wife is a civilian RN with no prior military service that was hired as part-time, then later full-time staff. The majority of our patients were retired military veterans, with some active duty [both AC & mob'd RC], and some were civilian patients that needed transport to closest hospital at the time of traumatic event.

While on active duty you will most likely deploy overseas [OCONUS, o = outside]. While I was assigned to MAMC & was also PROFIS'd [Professional Filler System] to the 31st CSH. Most CSH units do not have enough personnel to mobilze/deploy so they need additional Soldiers from other units. BTW, a CSH is usually a combination of AC & RC Soldiers. In otherwords, the AC Soldiers are at the unit in some capacity 365/24/7. Whereas, the RC Soldiers that are TPU [... there are different types or classifications of reserve Soldiers] come to the CSH one wknd a month & 2-3 weeks once a year.

The 31st CSH was mob'd/deployed to Camp Bucca, Iraq for originally 12 months [but we were extended an additional 3 months] and I, among many others, were PROFIS to the 31st. Now you asked about being in a combat zone, which makes me snicker. We received rocket-mortar attacks [usually in 3's] about every two weeks for over half of the deployed time. We were deployed MAY07-JUN08. I'll never forget the morning of June 9, 2007 when we had a MassCal [Mass Casualties]. We were hit by a rocket mortar that killed 7 & over 70 wounded. Camp Bucca was a detainee [not officially a prison] camp that while we were there amounted to over 20,000 detainees.
Last September the detainees were transferred elsewhere and Bucca was closed. Do search on wikipedia for Bucca, and is fairly accurate, at least the timeframe that I was at Bucca.

While deployed to Iraq we did receive combat zone pay [may not be the exact correct terms but same-same]. Most cases an ANC officer will be assigned to a CSH, and not a Line Unit [i.e. infantry] or BAS [Battalion Aid Stations staffed with MDs, PAs, and Medics]. Be advised; ANYWHERE in Iraq is dangerous D/T IEDs [Improvised Explosive Devices]. I've not been to Afghanistan [yet] but my understanding it is worse than Iraq.

Regards to relocating in the RC. I don't know where you live but if a CSH is near you, or an FST [Forward Surgical Team, staffed w/Surgeons, RNs [8A's usually], CRNA's, LVNs [enlisted nurse], OR Techs [enlisted] & Medics you can request/most likely get assigned to a Reserve Unit, also referred to as TPU [Troop Program Unit] in your area. IMA & IRR are other types of reserve status but these are not the 1 wknd/month & annual 2-3 weeks active duty.

On your wknds at the Reserve Unit, termed Battle Assembly & in the past termed Drill Wknd you do whatever training the command has planned. That is a vague answer but I assigned to the 5501st USAH at FT Sam Houston [San Antonio], TX while a TPU Soldier 2003-2006. Our mission was to backfield BAMC [Brooke Army Medical Center] and we did not mod/deploy as an entire unit. On Saturdays we worked in the hospital doing patient care. On Sundays we did various training & admin duties. My annual training [2-3 weeks/yr] one time I worked at BAMC for the entire 2 weeks as a staff nurse, and another time I mob'd CONUS in a small group to FT Lewis, WA in support of Warrior Forge [ROTC 3 weeks training].

As a TPU Soldier you can mobilize [to active duty] individually CONUS to another MedCen or MedAc to fill a spot vacated by an AC ANC officer that PROFIS'd/deployed OCONUS. In otherwords you would relocate to another Army MedCen possibly out of your area [state] for one year. That one year your considered on active duty

I hope this helped?

Regards,

[Steel1289]

Thanks for the information! My dad is setting up a visit the the recruiter from North Georgia College and State University. My dad wants me to be in the "Cadet" program. Thanks for the help, i will try to update you guys.

[cougarnurse]

Please do, as SN would be upset if you didn't. (Actually, he'd be interested in what's going on.)

[SoldierNurse]

Army ROTC & nursing program, right?

Good luck.

[Steel1289]

Yea i would do the Cadet program, i guess that is ROTC. After college i would have to serve in the National Guard or Army for 4 years as an Officer.