Any Military Nurses Out There?

JedsMom, ASN, RN · Nov 15, 2002

I was told by the recruiter that you had to have a BSN. I was told that I could take a position as a medic but not as a nurse. If that info isn't correct please let me know. I'm still very interested. Thanks.

Sheila

JenKatt · Nov 15, 2002

What they might have meant was that you need a BSN to be an officer, but an ADN or LPN may be considered an enlisted position.

I could be wrong, but that's been my experience...

JedsMom, ASN, RN · Nov 15, 2002

Thanks. I'll ask some more questions :)

Rottie1 · Nov 18, 2002

When I became an RN, I could only get into the Air National Guard all other branches wanted a BSN. And that was in 1998 and in 2000 the Oklahoma Air National Guard changed that to now only letting BSN nurses join.

Yes you can go in enlisted as an ADN or LPN but you would not be practicing as a Registered Nurse, you would be a med-tech. Granted military techs are qualified to do much more than a patient care tech in the civilian world.

JenKatt · Nov 18, 2002

The med techs in the Air Force in some states can challenge the state boards and sit for the LPN exam... that should tell you how well trained our techs are, I pretty much call them LPNs

Navystang · Nov 22, 2002

The U.S. military is a microcosm of american society. There has been discussion in the ANA for years about making a BSN the entry point into nursing. The military has done just that. The enlisted medical folks are extremely capable, as we train them to be able to respond to all types of medical needs and to be able to "carry on" in a Nurses absence. They are also able to do more than their civilian counterpart because legally they have different restrictions on their practice "under federal jurisdiction".

Still, the military has been able to do wheat the nation has not been able to - require a BSN for entry as a nurse, thereby allowing everyone to start with the same basic training/education.

In order to be a good leader - you must first learn to follow.

lauritasol · Dec 13, 2002

I was in the Army as a medic and EMT for 4 years. I am now in nursing school to complete my BSN. The Army will not allow you in as a nurse until you become a BSN and an officer. They do not consider a 2 year degree to be eligible to be an officer and nurses are always commissioned as an officer. That, at least, is how the Army is.

Well, I have TONS of stories! I was a medic in the hospital (med/surg, ob/gyn, and ER) and then in the field as a forward support aid station for the infantry and field artilary. Let me tell you, when you are the only female medic and the only female out in the field with 500+ men there are many many stories to tell!

I enjoyed the Army and have now found it frustrating that I can no longer do the things I learned and did so well in the Army because I am not a nurse on paper. Because of the nursing shortages when I was in the Army, medics could do as much as nurses and sometimes more. I even learned to suture in the ER, and that became very helpful in the field. It was exciting to learn so much in that 4 years, and I cannot wait until I become a nurse so that I can again caring for patients in the same manner! And after I become a BSN I will then go back into the Army Reserves as a 2nd Lieutenant. I cannot wait!

AlZee · Jan 12, 2003

I've spent some time in the service. I worked in many ICUs and Special Ops, all related to the medical aspects. It's nice to stay in contact with our military buddies. I retired out of Fort Carson and was involved in getting our Reserves and Guards ready for combat.

AbnMedic · Jan 22, 2003

I am a Nurse Counselor for the U.S. Army. I don't know who you all talked to about the ADN policy, but there has been a change since October 1, 2002. You can join the Army Reserves with an ADN or Diploma. The only stipulation is that you must get your BSN within the next 8 years, and there is education assistance for you to obtain that BSN.

:)

cindyln · Jan 22, 2003

Originally posted by Go Navy
I'm Not a nurse but a Navy (Fleet Marine Force) Corpsman. I have worked with alot of Nurses though. They recieved Great Training, Great Vacation (30 days), Great locations (the navy won't ever send you to kansas) and you will leave with a shiney new BMW (I think its standard issue) a fat officer wallet and a whole lot of pride. I personaly enjoy the medic thing with the grunts but officer nurse in the navy is a sweet thing.

Don't let the grean grass fool you if your currently in a nice spot.

Wrong about the navy not sending you to kansas. I am now working with a Navy OB?GYN doc in an army hospital in Kansas, and she is the second navy doc we have had in 3 years.

Soldiersnurse · Jul 11, 2003

The Army Reserves will take ADN or Diploma nurses--I happen to be working with a few of them in our clinic that just got activated for the homeland mission.

dreamon · Oct 20, 2003

But what about the day to day--are doctors allowed to be abusive towards nurses like in the civilian sector? And if they do-- can they be written up-or something along those lines?