Advanced Practice Nursing

[jlinrocket]

I'm trying to get some information about the time commitments that would be necessary for being a Navy, Air Force, or Army Nurse.

My goal is to become an advanced practice nurse (read: nurse practitioner) or PA. What type of financial support would I get from the government for additional education if I decided to serve in the armed forces? How long would I have to serve for them to pay for my education? In fact, would they pay for my education? In full or only partially?

I am currently waiting to see if I get into nursing school so I'm a ways off, but I just want to know what I could expect if I decide to go this route.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

So are you considering coming in as an RN, or not until you are an NP or a PA? There are many different avenues. Service will give you access to the GI Bill: Welcome to the GI Bill Web Site | The Home for All Educational Benefits Provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs. There was tuition assistance ($4500/year) for service members, but that has been suspended due to the fiscal crisis/shenanigans (I believe it has been suspended for all branches; I'm in the Army, and I know for sure we don't have it right now ).

In the PA realm, there is the IPAP program: U.S. Army Medical Department Center & School Portal

The Army also has something called Long Term Health Education and Training (LTHET) that nurses can apply for. You're paid to go to school and earn your MSN or similar, and I believe they do have some NP programs under LTHET. A degree through LTHET will earn you a longer active duty service obligation, i.e., you have to serve a certain number of years after finishing. LTHET is (understandably) extremely competitive, as is the Army Nurse Corps as a whole right now.

Good luck, whatever you decide to do.