Army nurse corps officer

jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA · Aug 4, 2014

The army isn't taking new grad nurses who haven't done ROTC in college from what I've heard. You still have a small shot at getting a job with the navy or air force. I'll warn you that they only take new grads once per year (summer, july-ish I think); you'd be applying for summer 2015 at this point. The application process is incredibly complex, long, and frustrating. It will take you 4-6 months just to get everything together (essays, paperwork, medical physical, interview). I guarantee that it's far more competitive right now than any civilian job application (New York or otherwise).

There is also a way to apply as an experienced nurse after you have a few years under your belt if you decide that you can't wait until July 2015. It will be easier to get in with some experience, and you'll be able to pick your specialty (the military will force you to do 2 years of med-surg at first).

midinphx, BSN · Aug 5, 2014

Are you seeing a nursing recruiter? There shouldn't be a practice test. If they are having you take the asvab, you are seeing the wrong recruiters.

Dranger · Aug 5, 2014

2) Based on what I've read here this sounds funny, but I really DO want to be stationed in south korea and stay there the entire period if possible. After officer basic leader training, can I request to be stationed in korea as my first assignment or can this be part of my contract?

It's needs of the Army and no you can't get it in your contract nor can you stay at a duty station for your contract duration....

Dranger · Aug 5, 2014

For the Army, unless you did ROTC, it is not possible to join as a new nurse

vcoronel127 · Feb 10, 2015

Are you seeing a nursing recruiter? There shouldn't be a practice test. If they are having you take the asvab, you are seeing the wrong recruiters.

I agree. Find out if it's the ASVAB. make sure you're not being recruited as an enlisted

nrryan · Feb 12, 2015

As others have said, you need to look elsewhere right now. Army is not looking for new grads right now. Key phrase there is right now. This could and probably will change in the next couple years. If you are set on the Army, do your best to find a job and excel in it. After you get some experience (few years), check back with an AAMED recruiter and see if their needs have changed.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Feb 13, 2015

It's needs of the Army and no you can't get it in your contract nor can you stay at a duty station for your contract duration....

I stayed at one place during my entire contract - with a deployment in the mix, but I have never PCSed. It is becoming increasingly common to keep people in place longer to save money. But it is at the needs of the Army, as you said. A friend that went to BOLC with me is on her third duty station.

jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA · Feb 13, 2015

The military does controlled assignments for overseas (OCONUS) bases; you'll have a DEROS that forces you to move, usually after 2 years. It's the stateside bases (CONUS) where people can stay for years and years.

Typically, Osan or Kunsan Korea are 1 year deals. South Korea is considered a remote area, and I doubt they send new grad nurses there for any branch (certainly we don't in the Air Force). Those are clinics---not really hospitals. New grads wouldn't get the experience they need in that setting. In the Air Force, new grad nurses are restricted to about 8 bases for their first assignment for that very reason.

Plus, I think that you might want to get more information about Korea. There's a reason that they have to force people to go every year. You don't have the same freedoms as a typical OCONUS or CONUS base. I believe both of them are also unaccompanied assignments; that means you're separated from family the whole time you're there.