Army Nurse?

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Hi everyone! I was wondering if anyone has any insight on becoming an LPN in the Army. I'm a recently licensed LPN, and had no luck finding a job in the past 3 months. I spoke to a recruiter recently and have decided to enlist sometime this year. I was told that I may be able to skip bootcamp for a 2 week Army etiquette course, go to some training and begin working as a nurse. Anyone have more information?:)

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Hi, there! Although I do not have any specific answers to your question about being an LPN in the army, I suggest that you visit our Military Nursing forum for more information. Good luck to you! Click on the weblink below.

https://allnurses.com/government-military-nursing/

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Thanks :)

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Specializes in Skilled Nursing, Rehab, LTC.

I would be careful...the military makes all sorts of promises. Don't jump into anything too fast. I've always been under the impression that you have to be an RN in order to work as a nurse in the army. If I were you, I'd do more research and ask people other than recruiters.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I would be careful...the military makes all sorts of promises. Don't jump into anything too fast. I've always been under the impression that you have to be an RN in order to work as a nurse in the army. If I were you, I'd do more research and ask people other than recruiters.

The U.S. armed forces has LPNs working as nurses. The military even offers LPN training.

RNs who are educated at the baccalaureate level in the military automatically become officers due to their degrees, whereas LPNs in the military are enlisted personnel.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Isn't LPN = Medic in the military?

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Specializes in Correctional, QA, Geriatrics.

No a LPN is NOT a medic in the Army. They are enlisted not officers but are definitely utilized in a nursing role and have a much broader scope of duties than a medic does.

You will need to attend all of bootcamp/basic training. There is no escaping that. It can be survived and is only 6 weeks out of your life. If I made it through anyone can do it. You need to make sure whatever you do decide to do is definitely written down and you read it carefully before you sign any recruitment documents. There is a background check, a physical, a battery of tests to go through before you actually raise your right hand and swear your oath of service.

If you go through with enlisting I believe you will find it very rewarding and an opportunity to use your skills to the fullest and beyond. Although a military career of 20+ years was not what I wanted to do I am still glad I spent my 6+ years in the Army. The foundation it gave me has proven invaluable.

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Here is another option than military. Public Health Corps

http://www.usphs.gov/student/jrcostep.aspx

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^^^ So since your enlisted though you would get paid like an enlisted person, do you come in as an E1, E2 etc? In my opinion, and it's just that, enlisted pay is very low and takes several ( way more then 6 ) to make good money. Not that your just going in for the money, but you may want to take a look at the payscale before you join. You can look it up online, all services get paid the same you go by E1, E2, E3 etc.

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Specializes in Correctional, QA, Geriatrics.

Unless the Army has fundamentally changed its approach to things (which I doubt) everyone starts out at the bottom regardless of whether enlisted or an officer. Second lieut. pay isn't exactly rosy either. On the other hand all of your medical is free for you and very low cost for your dependents, you do earn leave(vacation) time, you either will be supplied on post housing for free or receive a housing allowance if your rank and circumstances permit or require you to live off post and you have several options for earning future tuition funds which are available upon discharge and you will qualify for a VA loan for a home purchase.

Just like everything else in life there are pros and cons. Free medical care and 30 days a year of paid time off and unlimited sick time carry a price tag also.

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Thanks for the info, I'm going to find out more before I make my final decision.

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Specializes in ICU/ER/TRANSPORT.

You should at least go in as a e-4, i would balk to another recuiter if i could'nt get in as e-3 or e-4. i was able to goto basic as a e-3 cause i had x number of college credit hrs. i dont know your mentality or what you are exactly lookin for in the army, but i look back on my time in with fondness and some regrets. like alot of things, its what you make out of it. good luck.

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