A few questions about military nursing

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Jul 5, 2015

1. If I have an ADN but not a BSN, can I still join as an officer nurse as long as I have a bachelor degree in some other field? ( Example: could I join if I am an ADN-RN with a general education bachelor degree)
-For the Army and Navy no, not sure about the AF. I have heard different things on this that you need a BSN for active and a ADN and bachelor in another area in the AF. But I am not sure about this someone from the AF will need to answer this.
2. Do you have to currently be on active duty to use the program where the military pays for your BSN and living expenses while you go to school full time? Or, is this something you can come straight into as a civilian?
-Yes if you want full time wages. You should look into ROTC for help with tuition.
3. I'm 32, but I have five years under my belt as an active duty Marine. Would I still be able to join the Air Force or Army as a nurse?
-Yes, it will give you a little more pay and increase your maximum age for joining.
4. Is it worth it to join the reserves as a LPN to help fund my way through RN school?
-That depends on what you want to do once you complete your BSN. Since you have already completed your 8 years of active/reserve time you only need to sign up for x number of years then you can get out and try to receive a commission.
5. Do you really get a $30,000 bonus for joining up as a registered nurse?
-Depends on the need at the time of the service you want to join.
6. Is it reasonable to think that I can put myself through BSN school while serving in the reserves? I hear it's two weeks of training per year and one weekend per month.
- Yes, can be difficult at times but I have done it. You might have to take a semester or 2 off because of deployments.
7. How easy is it to jump from enlisted reservist to active duty officer, once I have my degree in hand?
-This also depends on the need at the time. I did this without any issue in 09 but would have been one the next year.
Basically, I want to joint the military as an officer nurse. I'm trying to figure out the quickest and least risky way to get there. If I don't do the reserves, I'll probably do home health while I'm in school. Please share what knowledge you have, especially if you've got experience in these areas. And if there's anything to add to it that you can think of, please do. Thanks a lot!

You need to speak with a health care recruiter to find out more specific information. By the time you complete your BSN the recruitment picture it will be different then today, could be better or could be worse. Only time will tell.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jul 5, 2015

You must have a BSN to commission as an RN, not an ADN + other Bachelors degree. This is true of all branches. Right now the Army is not taking new grads or nurses as direct commission with less than 2 years of experience, and unfortunately time as an LPN doesn't count. Definitely speak with a healthcare recruiter - they will have the most current info. Good luck with the remainder of your program! :)

Aluben · Jul 8, 2015

Thank you, Jeck and Pixie. This helps quite a bit. It's strange to me to see the military cutting back like this. When I joined in 2007 they were throwing money around to get people to join up.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jul 8, 2015

Thank you, Jeck and Pixie. This helps quite a bit. It's strange to me to see the military cutting back like this. When I joined in 2007 they were throwing money around to get people to join up.

Totally different operational tempo! But these things are cyclical. The Nurse Corps will eventually be short again and recruiting heavily like in the past. Stay tuned.