Army/Air Force/ Navy Nursing

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Hey guys,

First of all, sorry for spamming other threads, kinda new to all of this so I apologize. I'm a second degree BSN student who is interested in joining the military. I just wanted to gain perspective on joining as an RN into either of the branches. I want to join with a couple of things in mind. How is the outlook in the service when it comes to career opportunities and training? How is the lifestyle when being an RN and an officer in either branch? Will the branches help with past loans and future education opportunities, and if so how much (or is that dependent on the times and current events). How is traveling in the branches (who travels more who travels less?). What are some key differences to take into consideration? I understand the militaries needs come before my own. My goal for joining the services is to start off my career as a nurse in an exceptional and different way, and to also service my countrymen. I want to see the world as well, or at least a good portion of it. I appreciate any and all advice. I am going to the websites and writing down my own goals. I really just wanted to gain some insight so when I begin speaking to recruiters I have a more focused and informed way of conversing with them. Many thanks.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatric Critical Care.

I do not have any military experience. However, I have talked with an Air Force and a Navy healthcare recruiter. I will say that from reading these forums it has gotten increasingly difficult to become a nurse in the military. It sounds like a GPA of 3.6 or better is recommended. Also the process of joining sounds like it can take a long time. I would recommend asking military lifestyle questions to a recruiter. The navy recruiter I spoke to said the chances of a nurse being stationed on a ship was very low, but the possibility of being deployed with the marines for a few weeks or months was very likely. The Air Force recruiter said the chances of being deployed were low, especially in peacetime, but with the AF you might get stationed in the middle of the desert or snow. From what I hear you may be working with shorter staff and extra shifts than usual, due to budget cuts, and I was told there is no pay for overtime. If you really want to join it's best to get started now, because the application process, paperwork, and interviews can take up to a year or greater from what I hear.

Wish I could be more helpful. I was seriously considering military nursing, but now I am leaning toward traveling, more freedom. However if you get in the military and put in 20 years, the retirement is the best you will find, if it is still there in 20 years...

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Thank you Inquisitive Nurse for your input.

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1. The Army does not take any active duty nurses with less than 2 years of experience unless they were ROTC. The AF/Navy take very very small amounts of new grads right now.

2. The military is over strengthened with nurses in all areas

3. The days of generous loan pay pack and bonuses are over

4. Future education is always an option albeit competitive

5. You will travel or move around/PCS but that doesn't mean it is an exotic place like every thinks. People dream of Spain, Germany, Thailand but in reality your only moves could be North Dakota and Georgia.....

TLDR: This a tough time to join

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