Ohio’s three incoming freshmen members of Congress include a doctor, a prosecutor and a longtime state legislator – but in the next two years, they’ll face many of the same experiences – learning the protocol of the House, figuring out how to navigate the complicated city that is Capitol Hill and learning how best to serve their new constituents.

Of the three incoming freshmen lawmakers – Reps-elect. Joyce Beatty, D-Columbus, Brad Wenstrup, R-Cincinnati and David Joyce, R-Russell Twp. – Beatty perhaps has the most work to do coming in. Not only must she set up her D.C. offices, she has to select and staff up an office in her new Franklin County district as well. That’s when she’s not looking for a place to live in Washington, D.C., and learning her way around.

Still, Beatty, 62, isn’t complaining. She said she might have a bit of an advantage – not all freshmen lawmakers spent years in a legislature as she did when she served in the Ohio House from 2000 to 2010. Nor did many serve as Democratic House leader. “Maybe I’m gong to call myself an upper-class freshman,” she said.

As it is, she already knows well U.S. Reps. Pat Tiberi, R-Genoa Twp. and Steve Stivers, R-Upper Arlington – both served in the Ohio General Assembly with Beatty. “This will not be the first time we’ve served together,” she said.

As she made her way around Capitol Hill late last month, both Ohio Republicans’ staffs were helpful, even down to giving her directions.

“I don’t want to sound naïve or too idealistic because I know we’ll have some differences,” she said. “But I honestly believe there’s got to be at least 20 percent of something that we can agree on, whether it’s an amendment, whether it’s a commitment.”

She said she’s honored to serve with the “extremely seasoned” Tiberi.

“Now I’m going to give him some help,” she said.

She said she’s happy that her election means that the region’s congressional delegation is more diverse. “Now we’re more reflective of the state of Ohio,” she said. With Beatty and Marcia Fudge, D-Cleveland, in Congress, it will be the first time in history that Ohio’s delegation has two black members serving at once.

Wenstrup, a Cincinnati podiatrist who also serves as a Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, also spent much of the post-election weeks trying to get set up.

Wenstrup, 54, who was deployed to Iraq in April 2005 and served as chief of surgery at the 344th Combat Support Hospital at Abu Ghraib, can’t fully maintain his private practice now that he’ll be a member of Congress. Instead, he’ll keep his certification afloat by practicing at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, near Washington, D.C. – service for which he won’t get paid, but will get retirement points as a reservist. “It’s a good chance for me to continue to see patients,’ he said.

And unlike many of his colleagues, both he and his wife will live in the nation’s capital after he’s sworn in: His wife, Monica, is a financial consultant and can telecommute. The two were married in May. They’ve rented a studio apartment on Capitol Hill. “She wants to be here as much as she can,” he said, saying the couple plans to commute back to Hamilton County nearly every weekend.

As for his office, Wenstrup made it clear long before the lottery that he wasn’t too concerned. “I spent a year sleeping in a jail cell (he was stationed at a prison converted to a hospital.)” he said. “I’ll be fine wherever.”

Wenstrup defeated U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt in the March 2012 primary and went on to easily win the 2nd District seat. The district includes part of Hamilton County and Clermont, Highland, Brown and Adams counties east of Cincinnati.

Of the three new members from Ohio, Joyce, 55, has a little less work to do: He’s basically hired most of Rep. Steve LaTourette’s staff in both Washington, D.C., and in the northeast Ohio district.

Like LaTourette, he’ll serve on the House Appropriations Committee – the committee that decides how the federal government spends its dollars. He said he’s “thrilled” to be on the committee.

Mostly, he plan to spend his first term learning the ropes. “The Lord gave me two ears and one tongue,” he said. “I want to take it in and do my own research and be prepared to do the things I’m comfortable with that are appropriate for me. I don’t come in with a set agenda.”

When he and other freshmen held their lottery to pick offices, Joyce went up to pick his number. In the crowd, Beatty, let out an, “O-H!” Joyce responded with an “I-O!”

The cheer must’ve been lucky: He drew a five.

When LaTourette announced his retirement earlier this fall, Joyce began running in a dead sprint.

It wasn’t until his first night on Capitol Hill that he got to process what was ahead.

The new freshmen had dinner in the Capitol’s Statuary Hall, then walked onto the House floor for the first time. Joyce, who’d been concentrating on the details, finally got a chance to focus on all that lie ahead, and the momentuousness of serving in the House.

“This is a big deal,” he said.