[ChristineN]

Hello, I'm a student R.N. in a diploma program. I have always planned on going on and furthering my education upon graduating, but have wondered how I would pay for it (I would like to get a Master's degree, specializing in Nurse-midwifery). Lately, I have begun to consider the reserves. However, when I hear (or think) of military nursing, nurse-midwifery is not the first thing that comes to mind. Would the military reserves even be interested in a nurse whose interest would lie in l&d and/or other areas of women's health? Would the military even pay/assist in paying for a nurse-midwife degree?

[navynurse06]

I'm glad to hear the you are interested in miliatary nursing. However, the only branch that accepts adn/ads is the army resereve. To be active duty in any branch you have to have a bsn. The navy does have a programed called DUINS which I think has a few spots for the area you are interested in. But they only accepted like 1 or 2 a yr for these area. DUINS also has spots for CNS in OB/Women's Health.
Hope this helps.

[ChristineN]

Originally Posted by navynurse06

I'm glad to hear the you are interested in miliatary nursing. However, the only branch that accepts adn/ads is the army resereve. To be active duty in any branch you have to have a bsn. The navy does have a programed called DUINS which I think has a few spots for the area you are interested in. But they only accepted like 1 or 2 a yr for these area. DUINS also has spots for CNS in OB/Women's Health.
Hope this helps.

Are you saying that I can not consider joining the reserves shortly after graduation due to the fact I choose to enroll in a diploma school instead of an ADN or BSN program?

[navynurse06]

What I am saying is that the only branch that accepts anything less than a BSN is the Army Reserves.
You can join any of the others but you won't be considered a nurse or an officer. I think some of the branches offer assistance to help pay for your bsn. But I'm not sure how that process works. I know how it works for the Navy. Like I said you won't be a RN, you'll be enlisted as a E5 or E6 and will be working as a corpsmen (which is equal to LVN/LPN). Your promotion chances will be higher since you have a degree.
I'm not saying this is the way to go. I'm just telling you what's out there.
Also, you have to have your BSN before you can go to become a nurse midwife. (but I"m sure you already knew that).
I hope this helps.

[ChristineN]

Originally Posted by navynurse06

What I am saying is that the only branch that accepts anything less than a BSN is the Army Reserves.
You can join any of the others but you won't be considered a nurse or an officer. I think some of the branches offer assistance to help pay for your bsn. But I'm not sure how that process works. I know how it works for the Navy. Like I said you won't be a RN, you'll be enlisted as a E5 or E6 and will be working as a corpsmen (which is equal to LVN/LPN). Your promotion chances will be higher since you have a degree.
I'm not saying this is the way to go. I'm just telling you what's out there.
Also, you have to have your BSN before you can go to become a nurse midwife. (but I"m sure you already knew that).
I hope this helps.

I don't understand a whole lot about military ranks, but are you saying that if I graduate with a diploma R.N. that the reserves (any branch) would rank me at a lower skill, such as that of an LPN?!?

[navynurse06]

No....You can enter into the Army Reserves and be an officer. That's the ONLY branch that accepts anything less than a BSN. So any other branch will not recognize you as a nurse. I don't know how else to explain this to you.

[ChristineN]

Originally Posted by navynurse06

No....You can enter into the Army Reserves and be an officer. That's the ONLY branch that accepts anything less than a BSN. So any other branch will not recognize you as a nurse. I don't know how else to explain this to you.

I think I understand. You're saying that without my BSN I can only consider the Army Reserves.

[navynurse06]

That is correct!