Army Reserve Nurse Corps Officer Requirements

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I am considering a couple different schools in my area right now and would like to become an Army Reserve or ARNG nurse when I finish and become a RN. From what I see on the official websites, a B.S.N, associate's degree in nursing or 3-year diploma are required.

One of the schools here offers a 2-year diploma in nursing, with courses continuing over the summer. Would this qualify or is a 3-year diploma needed? All the schools are accredited.

Thankyou for any help!

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It really doesn't matter which program you choose. If you are an RN , either, diploma, associate degree or BSN you will can get commissioned as an officer. The Sir Force will only accept BSN. Good luck! Let me know how it goes. I am considering the same thing.

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Technically, the Army does accept ADN nurses for the reserves. However, on the practical side of things, they have VERY few slots. They have something like 30 slots (nationwide!!!) for all of 2010. Good luck!

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Specializes in CVICU, Trauma, Flight, wartime nursing.
They have something like 30 slots (nationwide!!!) for all of 2010. Good luck!

Can you cite your source on this? I took my commission when I had my ADN, and there were no issues or shortages in available slots. When you look at a unit manning roster for a nurse slot (66H), it does not denote the education level for that slot. A nurse is a nurse for manning purposes. If there is an opening for a nurse corps officer in a unit, education level is not a requirement. I know this first hand as I was a detachment commander who had a hard time finding OR nurses for my unit. All that my manning roster said was "66E - Operating Room Nurse" for the slot. It didn't matter if the nurse had an ADN, BSN, or MSN. The Army likes to have it's nurses at the BSN level and will help pay for the education to take ADN's to BSN's. This is nice because you cannot get promoted to Major without a BSN. With all this in mind, zrc2009, you can get commissioned as an ADN. Malenurz, I would really like to know where you came up with the 30 slots information.

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When did you commission? Things have probably changed, as 30 is the number I was quoted by my recruiter as well. I was directed to the strap program due to the low number of ADN slots available.

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My sources is a Captain Steinmetz, Healthcare Recruiting, outside of Washington, in Maryland. It's accurate, and up-to-date, as of Oct 29.

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

Was told by my recruiter that the total number of 66H for the whole fiscal year 2010 was only around 250. This is about 25% of most years, so is the 30 going to be true when you graduate that is a unknown since it changes year to year depending on retenetion.

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Specializes in CVICU.

250 total 66H? Ouch thats kinda scary! On top of that my recruiter is stalling me because they dont have a tech and she has to manually scan in all my docs. She was supposed to get in my stuff by the Nov 17 deadline but now swears she will scan in my stuff and have it in by Dec. deadline. I hope the delay dont cost me a spot in the 2010 roster!

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

I know, glad I got in last year. Are you going in as a 66H or another area of nursing?

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It really doesn't matter which program you choose. If you are an RN , either, diploma, associate degree or BSN you will can get commissioned as an officer. The Sir Force will only accept BSN. Good luck! Let me know how it goes. I am considering the same thing.

Gawd I hate to dig up an old thread... but I am trying to get my ducks in a row.

I just want to confirm/deny the above info.

The school I have been accepted to is accredited by: ACICS, Indiana BON and is regulated by:The Indiana Commission on Proprietary Education,NAACLS and is working on full NLN accredidation. I would graduate with an "ADN" and of course sit for the exam. The reason I say "ADN" is because I am not sure the school has the same accredidation(ie. north central association of colleges and schools) as "real" schools like Indiana University, Purdue University, etc etc.

So back to the Army..

Are they ok with these accredidations or is the RN enough to get a commission?

I am currently enlisted in the reserve so at least I have that going for me when it's packet time. I know I need to find an AMEDD recruiter at some point.

Thanks

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

I'm hearing at this point that you need a BSN, even for the Reserves ... I think the Army website still says ADN, but I think they're also seeing a surge in applicants, and this may be a way to pare down the numbers. You definitely need a BSN for active duty, and I think the school needs either NLNAC or CCNE accreditation. (I think. Definitely check with an AMEDD recruiter.)

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I was told today by an AMEDD office that the reserve will not take the ADN any longer.. must be BSN :crying2:. The needs of the army strikes again. It's not all bad because I am just starting so I have some time, maybe it will be back to ADN by then.

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