Want to join the AF/Navy as a nurse with a unique situation...

Specialties Government

Published

Hey guys! I'm currently doing my research on the options and opportunities that I have if I become an AF/Navy Nurse and I realized that almost all of my searches in Google leads me to threads in this site, so I decided to join in. Anyway, these are my general descriptions:

  • US immigrant since 2008 (from Philippines)
  • studying in the Philippines and will be graduating BSN in October 2011 (we have a different curriculum)
  • graduating Cum Laude
  • experience in organizational leadership, community service, volunteer activities, etc.
  • planning to take the NCLEX not later than May 2012 (both my parents are also nurses here in California and they also studied in the Philippines)
  • no experience yet but planning to train as a critical care nurse as soon as I pass the NCLEX
  • planning to enter the Air Force/ Navy (whichever I get accepted to) after my training in critical care

My questions are:

  1. Can I enter the AF/Navy even if I'm just a legal resident and not a citizen? I know that it says you should be a US citizen but I read in one of the sites that legal residents are also allowed to join. Just wanted to clarify this point.
  2. If yes, will I be under the Nurse Transition Program (NTP) because of my lack of experience even if I go into training as Critical Care Nurse?
  3. Which of the following is better? (a) Join the AF/Navy, pass the NCLEX, train in critical care; (b) Pass the NCLEX, train in critical care, join the AF/Navy (NOTE: both options provide that I will only gain experience once I'm in the AF/Navy)
  4. Will it be hard for me to enter the AF/Navy with my descriptions mentioned above? Which service is harder to get into?

I would really appreciate your responses. Thanks! :D

bleemme

81 Posts

Hello there Kababayan,

To enter any branch of service as a registered nurse, you need to be an American citizen. You also need to have graduated from an NLNAC or CCNE accredited program with a BSN degree or above. My suggestion to you is, 1.) become a US citizen as soon as possible and 2.) get a master's degree that is NLNAC or CCNE accredited here in the States. Then, you can apply!

Best of luck to you.

Bleemme

Trauma Columnist

traumaRUs, MSN, APRN

88 Articles; 21,249 Posts

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Just want to point out that with the economy so tough at this time, military service is not a sure thing anymore. You might want to look thru some threads as few new grads are being picked up for the military.

CRF250Xpert

233 Posts

Specializes in ICU, ER, OR, FNP.

If you do go in straight from school and get NTP, you aren't going critical care. That is a whole other animal and that's not what we teach new grads. Grad, become a citizen (you need a secret clearance) and work at least a year in your local ICU as a new grad. If they train you and you have that year of ICU experience, your recruiter will have a MUCH easier time getting you in. As mentioned above, be careful for what you wish. i am in the dim twilight of my service so I'm bullet proof, but kids these days are getting booted out left and right. What happens when (if) all 3 wars wind down? RIF is the answer and you'll be kicked out.

Hello there Kababayan,

To enter any branch of service as a registered nurse, you need to be an American citizen. You also need to have graduated from an NLNAC or CCNE accredited program with a BSN degree or above. My suggestion to you is, 1.) become a US citizen as soon as possible and 2.) get a master's degree that is NLNAC or CCNE accredited here in the States. Then, you can apply!

Best of luck to you.

Bleemme

Thanks for the reply kababayan! My dad said that my school is considered accredited since it is recognized by the California Board of Nursing and we can get a license. Isn't that the case?

Just want to point out that with the economy so tough at this time, military service is not a sure thing anymore. You might want to look thru some threads as few new grads are being picked up for the military.

Thanks for the concern. I am aware of the issue, but weighing the current economy and the lack of nurses, I get confused as to what the trend would be in the military.

If you do go in straight from school and get NTP, you aren't going critical care. That is a whole other animal and that's not what we teach new grads. Grad, become a citizen (you need a secret clearance) and work at least a year in your local ICU as a new grad. If they train you and you have that year of ICU experience, your recruiter will have a MUCH easier time getting you in. As mentioned above, be careful for what you wish. i am in the dim twilight of my service so I'm bullet proof, but kids these days are getting booted out left and right. What happens when (if) all 3 wars wind down? RIF is the answer and you'll be kicked out.

hi! thanks for your reply. just wanted to clarify what you mean by 'secret clearance'?

hello there kababayan,

to enter any branch of service as a registered nurse, you need to be an american citizen. you also need to have graduated from an nlnac or ccne accredited program with a bsn degree or above. my suggestion to you is, 1.) become a us citizen as soon as possible and 2.) get a master's degree that is nlnac or ccne accredited here in the states. then, you can apply!

best of luck to you.

bleemme

do you mean that if i get my msn, they would consider me even if i got my bsn from a foreign school?

bleemme

81 Posts

Thanks for the reply kababayan! My dad said that my school is considered accredited since it is recognized by the California Board of Nursing and we can get a license. Isn't that the case?

No, that is not the case. Your school needs to be accredited by either NLNAC or CCNE, in order to be considered for a registered nurse position in the military. To find a list of accredited program see the link below:

NLNAC:

http://www.nlnac.org/Forms/directory_search.htm

CCNE:

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/accreditation/accprogs.htm

In your case, if it is your ultimate goal to become an Air Force or a Navy Nurse, you will need to pursue a master's program that is accredited by either of those 2 accrediting institutions to be considered and be a citizen as well.

Best wishes!

bleemme

Editorial Team / Moderator

Lunah, MSN, RN

14 Articles; 13,766 Posts

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Thanks for the concern. I am aware of the issue, but weighing the current economy and the lack of nurses, I get confused as to what the trend would be in the military.

It is very, very tough to get in right now. Any branch. Good luck!! :)

no, that is not the case. your school needs to be accredited by either nlnac or ccne, in order to be considered for a registered nurse position in the military. to find a list of accredited program see the link below:

nlnac:

http://www.nlnac.org/forms/directory_search.htm

ccne:

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/accreditation/accprogs.htm

in your case, if it is your ultimate goal to become an air force or a navy nurse, you will need to pursue a master's program that is accredited by either of those 2 accrediting institutions to be considered and be a citizen as well.

best wishes!

bleemme

if i get a graduate certificate instead of msn from an accredited school like asu, will i then be considered? i'm looking for a program that only lasts for a year so that i could start practicing as a nurse in the af/navy as soon as possible. also, if i still choose to enter the armed forces and they don't consider my degree until i get my msn, what work will i do?

bleemme

81 Posts

if i get a graduate certificate instead of msn from an accredited school like asu, will i then be considered? i'm looking for a program that only lasts for a year so that i could start practicing as a nurse in the af/navy as soon as possible. also, if i still choose to enter the armed forces and they don't consider my degree until i get my msn, what work will i do?

my gut instinct tells me that a graduate certificate will not work, but it is probably best to have a recruiter from either of the branches you are considering confirm. i do know that, at least for the navy, an "advance practice degree" (e.g. msns) from a ccne or nlnac accredited agencies will work. my advice to you is, after completing bsn begin practicing as a nurse in the states. as you said, both of your parents are nurses. i'm sure that they can hook you up with a job in an acute setting. the military values experience and *may* give you an edge over other applicants. then begin work on your msn. another option is to join the reserves (which is the military but part time) - not sure how that works though so really, i encourage you to speak to an medical officer recruiter as they will know the best path for you.

all the best,

bleemme

+ Add a Comment