Military Nursing
War is a dangerous and often deadly exercise. The practice of military nursing has existed nearly as long as war itself. The person most associated with nursing, Florence Nightingale, started her military nursing career in the Crimean War in 1854. Nightingale, along with other women, assisted soldiers with their injuries and bathed and dressed their wounds. They also took care of those who became ill. Nurses during the Civil War acted in a similar capacity and had to treat soldiers using the minimal amount of supplies available, due to often limited resources.
Military nursing still exists today and is a popular career choice for many individuals entering the armed services. Nursing careers are available in all branches of the military. Nurses can enlist in active duty or the reserves. Nurses that enlist in the military to practice nursing get to travel to a number of places and work with varied groups of people. Nurses can work in combat situations and help provide emergency relief to those injured in combat. They work in both peace and war times. Military nurses are able to have more autonomy than non military nurses. Military nurses are able to use their own clinical judgment in the field and depend on their diagnostic and decision making skills while treating patients.
One of the main benefits of military nursing service is the scholarship benefits. Registered nurses with a bachelor's degree enter military service as officers. The government also pays for the nurse to return to school tuition free for four years once their tour of duty is completed. The government can help nurses who have already completed their education pay off loans. High school students who commit to enlisting in military service as a nurse have their education paid for as well. Overall military service as a nurse is an excellent way to get an inexpensive or even free education.
Military nurses of course get other benefits as well. Uniform allowances, housing allowances, money for food, full healthcare benefits, and an excellent base salary are just a few of the benefits of choosing a career in military nursing. Many nurses entering military service receive generous sign on bonuses. Depending on the nurse’s interests as well as the needs of the military, nurses can work in almost any specialty. From critical care to medical/surgical and operating room nursing, the military has a need for all types of nurses. Nurses can climb the ranks in the military quickly depending on how well they are able to serve.
Military nursing has many benefits but also has many drawbacks. For example, nurses that are called up to active duty or enlist full time leave their family behind and enter into often dangerous areas of the world. Career military nurses look at this as an opportunity to serve their fellow man and their country. While this career certainly has its limitations and is not for every nurse, many people choose military nursing to help others as well as further their own career.
Published: 2009-11-03
