Army Nurse Corps for New Grad RN

Specialties Government

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Hello allnurses,

Thanks in advance for your help! I graduated in January with a BSN in nursing. Like many new grads, I'm facing serious hiring freezes while in debt over $100k! Recently, I've been looking into the Army nurse corps. From many of the websites I've visited, I gather that nurses may receive up to $120,000 in loan repayment. I understand it would be taxed and all, but it still seems a little too good to be true!

I am just looking to hear from some new grads (or not-so-new grads) who have recently joined the army nurse corps. Do these financial incentives ring true for the majority? How competitive is it to gain a position in the army nurse corps? Once in, what is the general experience for a new grad? What educational opportunities exist (aside from the basics listed on the goarmy website)? Where can I gain access to a list of medical bases? A lot of questions...I know...I guess I am just looking for a general, yet comprehensive overview of what might be in store for me if I joined the army nurse corps.

Again, I'll appreciate all the help I can get!

Best,

Kaylee

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

moved to our government and military nursing forum...see previous posts here ..

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Student Loan Repayment, GI Bill, Health Insurance, VA Home Loans-- It is not too good to be true! All of that would be in store for you if you joined.. Maybe even a Sign-On Bonus (depending on your field). Your BSN will allow you a direct Commision making you an Officer...(meaning Enlisted soldiers will salute you!).

You should speak to a recruiter sooner than later as the slots are filling up. You might also scroll through some of threads on this site or do a "search" for additional information. Good Luck.

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Thanks Tango!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

It is very competitive right now. Like 79Tango said, contact a recruiter as soon as possible, and go in with the realization that the next selection board to consider applicants will probably not be until the new fiscal year starts in October 2011. Also, be sure you speak with a healthcare recruiter specifically, because the regular recruiters won't have all the information for you. Good luck!!

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@luna, I have a question for you! since you are in the army, you said that the min req. to be considered to become a nursing officer, is 2 years exp? So there are no chances for new grad RN's right out of nursing school?

Thank you so much for your time.

Corey

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

The 2 year experience is true for right now, but they can change. It does not hurt to speak with a healthcare recruiter to get the most upto date information. Also, it would be a good idea to speak with the Air Force & Navy to see what programs they have.

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I wonder what a person had in mind when accumulating 100k in loans to get a BSN. I'm sure its a touching subject to that individual but I can't help but wonder what drove a person to do that thinking it was the best decision and now in a bind looks to the military as a parachute out.

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My army recruiter called to tell me the 2 year thing is for real. The air force would not give me the time of day. The navy has not returned my online inquiry!

Time to find a job in the real world.

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Specializes in CMSRN.

I spoke to an Air Force Healthcare Recruiter yesterday, she advised that they do have a program for New Grad's but the boards are once per year and very competitive. GPA needed to be 3.0, would prefer 3.5. Other program one year of experience in field. Hope this helps

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Kaylee,

You are off to a great start. Yes, you can have many benefits from the military, it just depends on your specialty. I had years in Peds BMT, Adult Med Surg and ICU. When I joined the Air Force Reserve, I was commissioned as a 1LT promotable. I made Captain in one year! I was prior service Army (although my job in the Army had nothing to do with being a Nurse). I left the Nurse Corps after a few years in the Air Force and returned to the Army for deployment into the combat zone. Now I want to get back into the Nurse Corps but the field is swamped and the recruiters are not working hard to get the older RNs into service. You will have to work hard to get them to look at you now. You will have to attend a Nurse Corps OCS, take a physical fitness test and then you go to your first duty station. Then there are the deployments which are what you make of them. Don't worry, its all good, especially if you are young. You will enjoy it if you can get the recruiter to do your paperwork. Right now they will not even recognize prior service and years of experience. Good luck!

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You wasted all those characters and added absolutely no value to this forum topic.

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