ADN: Reserves vs. Active Duty

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Specializes in Emergency.

I'm posting this for a friend. What are the pros and cons of enlisting in the Navy as a corpman now (she has her ADN and a BS but not in nursing) or going into the Navy Reserves as an officer, getting her BSN, then going Active Duty?

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Specializes in ER,ICU and Progressive Care Unit,Peds.

She will not be able to come into any form of the navy with an ADN. We only accept nurses with a bsn; not matter if it is for active duty or reserves.

The army is the only branch that will accept adn's into thier reserves.

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Specializes in Emergency.

What about enlisting as a corpman? Is that a possibility?

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Specializes in ER,ICU and Progressive Care Unit,Peds.

Anyone can enlist as a corpsman, but I don't suggest it if she is already a nurse (adn). The pay she would get as a enlisted servicemember would be considerably less than what she would make as a nurse on the outside. So if she really wants to be in the military than I suggest she either get her BSN then join the navy as an officer. Or join the army reserve where they accept nurses with an adn.

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Specializes in OR Internship starting in Jan!!.

Yeah, she should look into the RN-BSN programs. There are many online, and can take about a year. That's not too long to wait.

Or, look at the army. But, they do require a BSN even in the reserves if she ever wants to move up very far.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.
Or, look at the army. But, they do require a BSN even in the reserves if she ever wants to move up very far.

Actually, you are incorrect. A BSN is only required for active duty. For Reserves and Army National Guard, you only need a diploma from a hospital based program or an Associates degree:

You must have an associate's degree in nursing or a three-year nursing diploma or a bachelor of science in nursing for the Army Reserve; have a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) from an accredited school of nursing for Active Duty. GoArmy.com > Careers & Jobs > Nurse Corps Officer (66)

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Specializes in OR Internship starting in Jan!!.

You can start in the Reserves with the ADN, yes. I said 'if she ever wants to move up very far.' I didn't know the exact rank that you cannot move beyond without the advanced degree off the top of my head.

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Specializes in 6 years of ER fun, med/surg, blah, blah.

I got a card from the Airforce & they will accept nurses up to age 59 with either a BSN or with an ASN while enrolled in the BSN program. How about that?

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
I got a card from the Airforce & they will accept nurses up to age 59 with either a BSN or with an ASN while enrolled in the BSN program. How about that?

Hi,

This is news to me. When I called and spoke with a recruiter about my joining upon graduation of my msn entry to nursing program at age 41 I was informed that regardless of which degree I would have that I would be too old for the Air Force.

Could you send me the link or phone number where -I- can find that information please, I am very curious.

Thanks,

Gen

p.s. edited to add from the webiste

U.S. Air Force

Qualifications:

• Must be a Registered Nurse and have a B.S.N. or B.A.N or be in the process of obtaining one

• Must be a U.S. citizen between the ages of 18 and 48

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Specializes in 6 years of ER fun, med/surg, blah, blah.

I must have thrown the card out. I believe it was for Air Force reserves. If I come across it I will post the information. My mother-in-law used to get cards from the Air Force about being a nurse, when she retired @ age 58 so there must be some disconnect somewhere.:idea:

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
Actually, you are incorrect. A BSN is only required for active duty. For Reserves and Army National Guard, you only need a diploma from a hospital based program or an Associates degree:

You must have an associate's degree in nursing or a three-year nursing diploma or a bachelor of science in nursing for the Army Reserve; have a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) from an accredited school of nursing for Active Duty. GoArmy.com > Careers & Jobs > Nurse Corps Officer (66)

Hello,

Possibly you are misreading the initial answer. The first time Jaxia posted the reply it read, that in order to advance that a BSN was needed.

Jaxia has also recognized your valid point that yes indeed, one can go into the Army Reserves with an ADN yet, *yet* even via that route one must have a BSN to *advance*. :)

None of Jaxia posts have negated your true and correct view that one may enter into the Army reserves with that ADN...just that one cannot advance with it.

Gen

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Specializes in Psychiatry.
None of Jaxia posts have negated your true and correct view that one may enter into the Army reserves with that ADN...just that one cannot advance with it.

Gen

Yes, you are correct. I misread the post.

My apologies.

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