Army Nurse Candidate Program??

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Hi everyone, I'm Renee and I am almost 98% sure that I will be starting the process to join the ANCP within the next couple of weeks. I spoke with a healthcare recruiter and even had the greatest opportunity to speak to the "nurse" in person that is in charge of the nursing dept in my area who has served for almost 20 years. I was really blown away when i first spoke to the recruiter about all the incentives in joining ANCP, but was really impressed when i spoke to the nurse and got to hear her experiences in the army and how she felt about my decisions. She even went into the good and bad and didn't seem to sugarcoat anything. I wanted to talk to the navy and see what they had to offer, and they seem to have a great branch, but their program does not offer as much as the army. I was even told by them today that there is no loan repayment with the program (even with active duty), whereas the army will pay up to $114k for active duty, plus the sign on bonus, along with the stipend.. so my decision was pretty much made there. I'm still waiting on hearing from the Air force recruiter to hear what they have going on.. with all that being said, I just wanted to meet and talk with anyone else who is considering the army nurse candidate program and maybe we can keep in touch on our decisions... I'm a little nervous and scared about the whole army thing, but I have a nudge that's telling me to do it.... talk to you all soon... let me know what's going on with you and your process:D

That sounds about right...sorry to hear that.

I will say that be financially prepared for a bit more delay as fiscal year starts end of OCT, then you need to wait for first board, perhaps 2-4 weeks?, then wait for confirmation letter, then be able to weather the time from acceptance to financial aid. Slots have been filling up early past couple of years with the economy - seems to spur patriotism.

I think prior service, the fact you are doing the NCP, and having app done early are all clear positives.

I will say that often people have packets go up to board A, clerical error is present and postponed until board B... just make sure everything is set to go to avoid that delay, I know that is hard since applicants have less control of the 'situation'. I'd personally be surprised that a recruiter.. working with nursing... wouldn't have known slots were full. Since recruiters have many manpower meetings and slots, billets, submissions, are all tracked to the minute detail..... either way it wouldn't have sped/slowed down progress its just nice to know open communication.. or people are aware. Best of luck and keep us in the loop!

I would recommend one thing.. if financially it is an issue to look at the worst case scenario - delay to following fiscal year where you can apply for active duty accession at 1 year prior to graduation/nclex date and then plan for the student loan repayment or accession bonus.. just to know if that option would be a backup plan.

v/r

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Specializes in Acute Care, and Dementia/Alzheimers.

Is the Army Nurse Candidate Program only open to those with a BSN, or is it open to those pursuing a BSN?

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The ANCP is actually designed for students accepted or in a BSN program in either their junior or senior year... those already with a BSN wouldn't partake in the ANCP and would do a more direct commission.

If this is you.... key thing to do is look over what is required, see if its of interest... and once you have acceptance letter you could start the paperwork because it can take a bit of time going back and forth with the recruiter and the key thing is to have your packet completely finished and ready to submit in OCT - that is new fiscal year and when slots are open...

If interested lots of good info here... I'd browse here a bit prior to contacting a health care recruiter that way you already understand the basics and can focus on the specifics w/ the recruiter.

v/r

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Specializes in Acute Care, and Dementia/Alzheimers.

I'm currently just a Nursing Assistant. Not going to start up college courses until hopefully this winter. (if I don't Enlist by then)

How has it been for you so far regarding the pursuit of joining the Nurse Corps?

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Raven,

I'm not sure of your goals - but if its to be an RN - especially an Army Officer Nurse... there are much better routes and you do not want to enlist. You want to get into a BSN program... or do an ADN program and at a later time then do a post ADN to BSN program... or get ADN and join army reserves as commissioned nurse and then obtain BSN...

best is get in bsn program.. other routes are very very indirect.

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I am currently in OCS. Wanting to Branch Medical. Currently a kindergarten teacher. I want to go to West Coast and pursue a degree in Nursing... I have been taking prerequisites and community college. I have access to Post 9/11 GI Bill. Are there any other programs I should be aware of??? I saw someone hint at a health recruiter... where are they?? I am in Los Angeles. I want to do this smartly... at least to the best of my late decision career choice. If all goes well I will commission in August. Thanks for any information!

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army or navy? active or other?

when is your obligation completed for active duty (if active...)?

when do you see yourself starting and then completing your BSN?

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ARMY NG - I am currently in prerequisites put out request for admission information into West Coast today - start next semester 3 weeks from now??? Commission August... former transportation enlisted SGT. Any financial aide or military schools programs to make it happen would be informative. So far plan- not strong I know - get either BSN or ADN through West Coast - commission in what the ARMY needs me for this August - see what happens - Because I don't think I can get into Medical OBC without RN standing right??? use GI bill for next year until it runs out... and then use RN funding??? can I do that??? thanks for any guidance.

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ARMY NG - I am currently in prerequisites put out request for admission information into West Coast today - start next semester 3 weeks from now??? Commission August... former transportation enlisted SGT. Any financial aide or military schools programs to make it happen would be informative. So far plan- not strong I know - get either BSN or ADN through West Coast - commission in what the ARMY needs me for this August - see what happens - Because I don't think I can get into Medical OBC without RN standing right??? use GI bill for next year until it runs out... and then use RN funding??? can I do that??? thanks for any guidance.

Congrats on your commission and OCS.

If you want to commission as a nurse in the future you will need a BSN (adn is being phased out.. you need the BSN regardless of previous bachelors) Only place this might be acceptable now is under your states NG... it is accepted in the reserves but that is being phased out and is effectively hard w/ the competition at this point. Medical Officer Corp / OBC has nothing to do with RN - completely seperate branches... they have nothing in common except both under AMEDD.

For reserve and regular army you just need to get your BSN and then meet baseline requirements to apply. They have an incentive lump sum payment or loan repayment - but right now nurses are really in competition and mostly those accepted have experience already working as an RN. I would focus on obtaining RN on your own, planning to work for 1-2 years and then applying.

You can check your NG site for alternate options but that is tough as you will need to ensure you don't burn bridges with medical corps.. I would keep your long term goals to yourself and focus on the medical corp and getting into BSN program.

Sounds like a task but I'm sure you can manage it. best of luck!

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Thank you! Sounds grounded! I appreciate the insight. I will focus on getting into Medical Branch this summer for OBC and continue with BSN program with GI Bill...a nursing position will turn up within my duty obligation 2015 someday right?? :) I can use my SLRP as well. Once I have my BSN I can reclassify branches right??? I have no idea where I will go this summer with needs of Afghanistan so close. As long as I am an officer :)

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