Army Nursing & ADN or BSN?

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I'm considering the option of ARmy nursing upon graduation. Do you know whether the Army accepts ADN RN's or do you have to have a BSN? I already have a BA (history) and MBA.

Also, would the Army train a graduate nurse or would I need to get my first year in a civilian hospital prior to joining? I want to volunteer for service in Iraq as soon as I'm an RN and I'm trying to figure out how to go about that in the fastest way possible. Thanks, Steph

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Specializes in Medical/Surgical/Maternal and Child.
I'm considering the option of ARmy nursing upon graduation. Do you know whether the Army accepts ADN RN's or do you have to have a BSN? I already have a BA (history) and MBA.

Also, would the Army train a graduate nurse or would I need to get my first year in a civilian hospital prior to joining? I want to volunteer for service in Iraq as soon as I'm an RN and I'm trying to figure out how to go about that in the fastest way possible. Thanks, Steph

From what I understand, Diploma nurses ( 3 yr RNs) went into the Armed Forces as 1st Lieutenants for many years. Then things changed and I don't remember when, but now you have to have a BSN to go into the Armed Services and you go in now as a Captain.

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I'm considering the option of ARmy nursing upon graduation. Do you know whether the Army accepts ADN RN's or do you have to have a BSN? I already have a BA (history) and MBA.

Also, would the Army train a graduate nurse or would I need to get my first year in a civilian hospital prior to joining? I want to volunteer for service in Iraq as soon as I'm an RN and I'm trying to figure out how to go about that in the fastest way possible. Thanks, Steph

I believe that you need to have a BSN to join the active duty military. You can join the reserves with an ADN or diploma, but active duty requires a Bachelors degree. A Masters' should make it easier. It makes life much easier. That is why nurses are all officers in the military. LPN's, respiratory therapists, X- Ray techs, are all enlisted. Also, you go in as a Second Lietenant, possible higher with a masters'. When I commissioned in the reserves in 1988, they started giving what the military calls, "constructive credit", credit for years of experience. It was not a year for year credit. I commissioned as a captain, because I had been a nurse for 12 years, and I got 2 years credit towards major. If I had a masters, I would have been a major. I don' know if this is the story now. You will have to check with a recruiter, and they don't always know either.

Also, you will be assigned to usually a teaching hospital like Wilford Hall in Texas, or Travis in California. You will work as a new grad like in the civilian.

Also, I don't know about "volunteering to go to Iraq". It wll depend on which base that you get assigned to. They do have military courses and schools that prepare you for wartime scenarios. They had "Battlefield Nursing" years ago, but they did away with that. If you go into the Air Force, you can become a flight nurse, and go to flight nurse school at Brooks Air Force Base in Texas.

Hope that answers some of yuor question.

Linda Gusch, RN, BSN, CCRN

Major, USAFRNC

Spokane, Washington

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I believe that you need to have a BSN to join the active duty military. You can join the reserves with an ADN or diploma, but active duty requires a Bachelors degree. A Masters' should make it easier. It makes life much easier. That is why nurses are all officers in the military. LPN's, respiratory therapists, X- Ray techs, are all enlisted. Also, you go in as a Second Lietenant, possible higher with a masters'. When I commissioned in the reserves in 1988, they started giving what the military calls, "constructive credit", credit for years of experience. It was not a year for year credit. I commissioned as a captain, because I had been a nurse for 12 years, and I got 2 years credit towards major. If I had a masters, I would have been a major. I don' know if this is the story now. You will have to check with a recruiter, and they don't always know either.

Also, you will be assigned to usually a teaching hospital like Wilford Hall in Texas, or Travis in California. You will work as a new grad like in the civilian.

Also, I don't know about "volunteering to go to Iraq". It wll depend on which base that you get assigned to. They do have military courses and schools that prepare you for wartime scenarios. They had "Battlefield Nursing" years ago, but they did away with that. If you go into the Air Force, you can become a flight nurse, and go to flight nurse school at Brooks Air Force Base in Texas.

Hope that answers some of yuor question.

Linda Gusch, RN, BSN, CCRN

Major, USAFRNC

Spokane, Washington

Major Gusch & CeCiRN,

Thank you both very much for your response. It sounds like a BSN is required for Active Duty. I'm currently in an ADN program so I'll probably have to get the BSN via online. Hopefully it won't take too long, given my previous credits/degrees.

I appreciate your assistance. Regards, Stephanie

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Specializes in Neuro, Oto.

Stephanie,

Something to consider...You can join the Army Reserves with your ADN. They will then provide $50,000 loan repayment for your Bachelor Program. You will be gaining military experience while earning your degree. Then, you can move into active duty upon completion of your BSN. Good luck.

Tracy RN

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Stephanie,

Something to consider...You can join the Army Reserves with your ADN. They will then provide $50,000 loan repayment for your Bachelor Program. You will be gaining military experience while earning your degree. Then, you can move into active duty upon completion of your BSN. Good luck.

Tracy RN

Excellent idea!

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