Nursing student wanting to join military.

Hoosier_RN, MSN · Feb 17, 2016

Talk to a recruiter. Minimum of BSN is accepted and military nursing is highly competitive. Then you know your options. Good luck

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2016

It is very competitive I all the services right now. If you join the reserves you would not have to drop out of your nursing program. There are rules in place in case you get mobilized during your education and how the school has to allow you to start back up in the program. If you do enlist in the reserves there is no guarantee that you will get a commission once you have your BSN.

Cheymo21 · Feb 18, 2016

Thank you both for the responses! So basically going reserve would be the mostly likely route for me? I want to be active at some point, but by the time I get my BSN and experience in the civilian sector I would be close to finishing up my time in the reserves. I could possibly serve as a corpsman while getting the experience I need as a nurse. Navy is the branch in looking into at the moment.

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Feb 18, 2016

Changing over to active from reserves to active is not a given. Depending on the needs you might or might not be able to switch over.

Camo-angel · Feb 19, 2016

You could also look into ROTC and the Air Force. AF takes new grad nurses through the NTP program, I just finished it in January. It's competitive, everything is right now. But you could look into it as an option, doesn't hurt to see options. Talk to healthcare recruiters. But realize if you wanted to enlist first it will take a long time to be a nurse, and they don't always let you do college while serving

HM3RNBSN · Feb 20, 2016

I agree with Camo-angel. There are options out there, you just need to talk to a healthcare recruiter. The Navy has NCP (Nurse Candidate Program) for students. If you accepted into this, then you will be given a commission upon graduation/completion of NCLEX. Definitely weigh all your options for all branches and what they have to offer and what will best suit you.

Blue Robin · Feb 21, 2016

Due to downsize of military, they have become very selective. It often takes time until they select you .If you want to become an active duty nurse finish nursing school, I suggest that you stay in school. Don't enlist cause you will have to serve right away which takes time away from your main goal and you won't become an officer.Go to school as a civilian and get your BSN, they won't take you unless you have a BSN.

National Guard will take you if you have an ADN. Look up your National Guard as well.

You can join the Reserves if you want but you still have to go through basic training which might take some time away from school.

The Navy Nurse Candidate Program, is a good option but it is selective and competitive.

If you are paying for your schooling with loans then there is a gurantee that the Navy and the Army will pay off your loans in exchange for service and deployment.

Cheymo21 · Feb 21, 2016

If I served time in the reserves as say a corpsman and got experience as a civilian at the same time would that help my chances getting commissioned once I served my time?

jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA · Feb 21, 2016

Yes it would, but keep in mind that the typical minimum commitment for the reserves/guard is 6 years. So, can you wait 6 years?

Cheymo21 · Feb 21, 2016

I heard that I need at least two years of experience to be considered, is that about right? Two years have to be active correct?

jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA · Feb 21, 2016

Not exactly. The Air Force and Navy still take a small number of new grads (last I checked). The Army is the only branch with the firm 2 year requirement. You will be required to start in med-surg or OB without prior experience regardless of the branch you join.