Re: military nurse prior service
Basically, the rules for becomming an OFFICER in the Nurse Corps of the US Military requires that you have US Citizenship AND have a degree from an accredited US University.
For example, you get your BSN in the Philippines and you decide to join the US Navy. You must have a GREEN CARD to join the Navy, but because you do not have a US University Degree, you will be assigned as an ENLISTED Man, more likely a Corpsman, Dental Tech, O R Tech, etc...
Now, what you CAN do to be a nurse in the Navy is to apply for your Masters (MSN) while in the Navy (and you will have your tuition paid for as well by the Navy!!). During your study for Masters (figure 5 years going part time while serving in the military), you will be working on your citizenship as well. Figure 3-5 years of Naval service to get your citizenship, and finally your MSN degree.
After that point in your career, you may petition for Officer Candidate Programs where you can become an Officer in the Nurse Corps with a US Graduate Degree of MSN and your new Citizenship!!
All of the time you spent as an enlisted man in the Navy will count towards your pay (time in service, time in rank) so that you will have a seamless transistion from enlisted to Officer Corps.
This will work for Army, Navy, and US Air Force, and with the Coast Guard, you would become an Officer of the Public Service Corps to serve the Coast Guard. (Same Rank and Pay as the other branches of the service).
Summary:
1st Step, BSN degree
then Green Card
Pass the NLE, NCLEX and BON (Any US State License)
then Enlist in Army, Navy, etc with medical MOS
Apply for MSN program at US University while enlisted
Study for US Citizenship while enlisted
Complete both MSN degree and Citizenship, apply for Officer Candidate with Nurse Corps.
You will find the military service an extraordinary experience in your career as a Nurse, and be treated with the respect and dignity not only as a professional medical staffer, but as an OFFICER as well!
Good Luck!
"the bravest Marines I ever served in combat with were US Navy Corpsmen!!"Sergeant of Marines JD Keller, 1966
Hoss
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