Army Nurse

TranquilSpirit · Nov 26, 2011

Hello PKMarge08:

1) Yes. You will direct commission. It will be more difficult though to get in for a new graduate. I had been reading that they were only selecting people with at least two years experience for direct commission, though I could be wrong. As for ROTC, figure there are a couple - few hundred ROTC nursing students graduating with you nationwide. Due to the very competitive environment now (4), you will be at a disadvantage. Do you have experience in the field?

2) Don't know.

3) If you have not been in touch with one yet, I do believe it is an AMEDD recruiter you are looking for. Even if you aren't ready to join it will be nice to talk to one just to get more thorough explanations. It is a long and complicated process too, and they (the recruiters who specialize in nurses) are difficult to find in some local areas.

5) There are always going to be jobs, it is only a matter of how qualified you have to be to get there, and what connections you may have that can help you along even if you have remarkable credentials. It may be upsetting for the more average candidates now, but the Army really is seeing its greatest, most qualified, classes now due to everything that has been ongoing of late. Do you know any military officers who may write references, do you stand out in anyway?

Just out of personal curiosity, as I have seen it both ways before, are you more interested in being a nurse or a soldier? I understand this is that perfect blend for someone who greatly desires to be both. It is just I have seen a couple young graduates who were so focused on the honor and service that the military brought that their disappointment was quite extreme when they couldn't make it. Others were far more focused on the nursing aspect, and willingly went into civilian work. Just something to consider.

Sorry about not being able to help more. Several years have passed since I looked up the specifics for myself.