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What Do Military and Uniformed Services Nurses Do?

Military and uniformed services nurses work with the armed forces serving military personnel and their families. Depending on their experience, military nurses may serve at stateside or overseas military bases or hospitals, clinics, or training facilities. They may work in hospitals with the Veteran's Administration, serve on ships, at airbases, or in medical units near the line of fire. The armed forces prefers to recruit or hire registered nurses (RNs) with extensive operating room or emergency room experience.

Education & Training Required to Become a Military and Uniformed Services Nurse

Before enlisting in a branch of the United States military or applying for duty as a civilian at a government facility, you must have completed your RN training and examination and hold a strong record of service in a civilian hospital or clinic. You can earn your diploma, associate's, or bachelor's degree to become an RN, although military branches may prefer RNs with a bachelor's or master's degree. Online RN to BSN bridge programs can help you earn the bachelor's degree. All military and uniformed services nurses enter active service as an officer.

Military and uniformed services nurses may specialize or focus on general practice nursing. Specialties in demand in the military include:

• Critical care nursing
• Operating room nursing
• Mental health nursing
• Obstetric/gynecological nursing

Typical Characteristics of a Military and Uniformed Services Nurse

Simply stated, military and uniformed services nurses want to serve their country and serve the personnel that serves their country. Successful military RNs have the experience and maturity that comes from working in a professional health care setting and they keep up with current military nursing issues and nursing education.

High Demand for Military and Uniformed Services Nurses

While the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 22 percent rise in job openings for registered nurses during the 2008-2018 decade, not every nurse is interested in military service. Those who enter this specialized health care field also prefer the job security, retirement, housing, and educational benefits packages offered to members of the military and their dependents.