Army NCP back open?

[Raider 3/1]

So im not trying to start up the old rumor mill or anything but after talking with the Army health care recruiter today, supposedly the Army's nurse candidate program (NCP) is back open.

Also, if in the process of obtaining my bachelors for Nursing I can work as an associates level nurse and knock out the two year requirement for direct commission. This means I could jump right into a commission if I have the time when finished with my bachelors.

Anyone else heard the same things or is this health care recruiter blowing smoke?

[SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN]

I've heard it's "open" but defunded. So in other words, no.

I'm not sure if they take experience at a different level of nursing licensure in the service. I've been told (unconfirmed) that they won't take LPN experience when you're a new BSN and applying. But at the RN level, I don't know if the differentiate between ADN and BSN experience.

[Raider 3/1]

ill have to reconfirm if all this information I received is backed up or not.

[SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN]

Absolutely. Are you in touch with an AMEDD recruiter?

[Raider 3/1]

I am, or at least I assume he is. The funny thing is that 5 months ago; I asked to speak with someone from the AMEDD about the Army's NCP and it was nonexistent, they just completely did away with it.

When I received the call the other day asking for an update of my current school status I was caught off guard. The person I was talking to was named Robb, I never got a rank or title.

He was supposed to send me an email right after the phone conversation but I never did receive it. I snooped around the goarmy web site and sure enough the NCP is back on their.

Might have to wait till someone posts here about a recent Army NCP application. I should also be receiving a follow up phone call from this guy in a couple of months.

[jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA]

The army may be different, but the Air Force does count ADN RN time when determining constructive credit the same as BSN RN time. However, you must obtain a BSN before applying. A guy who did OTS with me got credit for his ADN time at a 50% rate (every 2 years as a civilian RN is 1 year of time in service).

[Raider 3/1]

aaaaa, the smoke screen is lifted! I bet that's the detail he's leaving out. Thanks for the input jfratian, those recruiters are crafty when it comes to leaving out details.

[jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA]

That time does add up, though. If you have 4 years of civilian nursing experience, then you would have 2 years of time in grade; you would enter as a 1st Lt. 8 years would give you Capt. I've never heard of a nurse coming-in above Capt, though. I don't know why. I see doctors start as Maj's and Lt Col's, but then again they are exempt from the force shaping rules limiting the number of field grade officers. Doctors and dentists automatically promote to O5 (Lt Col) after the required time in grade.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

But at the RN level, I don't know if the differentiate between ADN and BSN experience.

They don't differentiate. I became an RN in 2008 and completed my BSN in 2010, and I was given constructive credit for the entire time.

[lgnewman]

Ive heard that CRNA adn some NP's also come in at Lt. COl rank, that they are basically the same as an MD.

[Raider 3/1]

Ive heard that CRNA adn some NP's also come in at Lt. COl rank, that they are basically the same as an MD.

Well part of the plan is to have the Navy / Army pay for my CRNA education. So that's off the experience check list for me. Ill just have to check with the Army Health Care recruiter next time he calls.