wayne overly lieutenant commander, nurse corps u.s. navy (ret.) clinical nurse specialist, emergency...
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Military and VA nursing opportunities
Wayne OverlyLieutenant Commander, Nurse Corps
U.S. Navy (ret.)Clinical Nurse Specialist, Emergency Dept.
VA San Diego Hospital
Military services with nursesArmyAir ForceNavyCoast Guard served by PHS
(reserves, guard covered separately)
Average new grad RN salary in
San Diego is $69,000
Benefits of military nursingJob securityAll nursing specialtiesRegular promotions, career progression to leadershipUp to $15,000 annually for specialty certification payFree medical and dental benefits for
member/dependentsRetirementVA benefitsOn-base shopping (exchange, commissary), gymsMilitary discounts (on and off base)Travel opportunities (moves paid for)
Benefits (cont’d)Housing assistance (provided or
pay)VA home loanContinuing education (full pay and
tuition)30 days paid vacation annually10 federal holidays annually Not a democracy
Pay rates$34,860 first year ($60,500 with extras)$62,000 ($91,000at 4 years)Sea pay, imminent danger pays
RequirementsU.S. citizenAge 20-34 (up to 47 for reserves)
Pass physical fitness requirements
Navy Hospitals & clinics California
- San Diego- Cp. Pendleton- 29 Palms- Lemoore
Florida- Jacksonville
- Pensacola
Hawaii (clinic) Illinois (N. Chicago) Maryland
- Walter Reed- Annapolis, Patuxent River clinics
N. Carolina- Cp. Lejune
- Cherry Point
Rhode Island (clinic)
S. Carolina- Beaufort
- Charleston
Texas (clinic Corpus Christi)
Virginia Washington
- Bremerton- Oak Harbor
Overseas Navy facilitiesCubaGuamJapan, OkinawaItaly (Naples, Sigonella)Spain
Non-traditional assignmentsTeach at Hospital Corps school, FMSS, fleet
hospitalShipboard (carrier, LHA/LHD, hospital ship)Fleet MarinesRecruiting
Drawbacks of military nursingFrequent movesMay be called into harm’s way
Drawbacks of military nursing 84 hour work every 2 weeksNo charge, overtime or holiday pay
Cannot quitBig bureaucracyNot a democracy
VA careersLargest healthcare system in the U.S.
152 medical centers1400 clinics, including Philippines, Guam, Samoa, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands
VA benefitsPay - $66,783, promotions every 2 years
usually - Nurse 2, step 2 makes $90,702 - Double time for holidays, 1.5 for
overtime - 10% extra for PM/nights, 25% for
weekends - critical care pay, award pay
VA benefitsmedical, dental, life, TSPretirement (can buy back military
service)5 weeks leave, 104 hours sick leave
annuallyloan repayment, NNEIveteran hiring preference
VA drawbacksNo pediatricsVery little OBMust be citizenBigger bureaucracyVeteran hiring preferenceNo charge RN pay80 hour work week
VA/federal jobswww.usajobs.org