2013 Army Reserve ROTC Scholarship

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Here is my situation. I am currently in my first year of nursing school and participating as a cadet in the Army ROTC Program at the university. Today, I was offered a scholarship with all the benefits (100% tuition paid for, free room and board, book allowance, and a monthly stipend). The tuition at this school is roughly 50K a year (including room and board which is ~10k annual). As you can see, this scholarship would significantly help me pay for nursing school. There is one only one draw back about this scholarship.

It does not contract me to commission as an active duty 2nd LT in the Army Nurse Corps (which is my ultimate goal), but contracts me to commission in the Army Reserves in any branch of my choosing besides nursing (I would probably choose the closest MOS to nursing in the Army Medical Service Corps). This will allow me to work as a civilian nurse and partake in a drill unit for a weekend once (or twice I'm unsure) per month.

My initial thought was to not accept the scholarship because it is not a straight route into the Army Nurse Corps after I graduate with a BSN. I thought about waiting one more year to see if there will hopefully be another opportunity for an active duty nursing scholarship, but this may be my only opportunity. The more I think about it I am leaning toward accepting the scholarship because it is a huge help for paying for nursing school, I get to work as a civilian nurse but still be in the Army Reserves, and the additional training outside nursing can help me explore another side of the medical field.

I would greatly appreciate it if anyone would share their thoughts on what they would do if they were in my shoes, and/or if anyone had any experience of what I'm going through at the moment. I know its ultimately my final answer but some advice would really help.

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Hi m4rk!

I am currently in nursing school and I have been looking at my options as well to be commissioned as soon as I finish with school. I have close to one year left in my ADN program and will find it soon if I will be accepted to the accelerated BSN program in one of the 4yr State schools here in California. (which will be about 8-9 months after my ADN program till my BSN). Once I know I am accepted to the other school, I am joining one of the ROTC affiliated schools to hopefully have the "for sure" commission option to get into the Nurse Corps. I was enlisted before for 4 years with the Marines so I any option to get back into the military as an officer would be my ideal goal. Best of luck with your decision.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
I would greatly appreciate it if anyone would share their thoughts on what they would do if they were in my shoes, and/or if anyone had any experience of what I'm going through at the moment. I know its ultimately my final answer but some advice would really help.

I guess there are a few things to consider. If your goal is ultimately the Army Nurse Corps, then you have to realize that you are deviating from your goal if you accept that scholarship. However ... dang, that scholarship is too darn good to pass up. Nothing says you can't take the scholarship, be a civilian nurse, do your time in the Reserves, and then commission on to active duty after a period of time. How old are you, if you don't mind answering that? If you are in your 20s, you have plenty of time to do it all, and have the best of all possible worlds. :) I'd take the scholarship. To come out of a school that expensive with your BSN and without debt ... priceless.

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LunahRN makes a good point. I would take the scholarship too. I just want to be part of the military again but as an officer. I'll be happy to get into any military branch as a Nurse.

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Thanks so much for everyone's feedback! I ended up accepting the scholarship. LunahRN: I had the same exact thought process! I will finish up my time in the Reserves and then continue on to Active Duty in the Army Nurse Corps. That gives me the best of both worlds of being a civilian nurse and and Army nurse. I will most likely branch into the Medical Service Corps for my Reserve unit to stay closer to the hospital side. Plus, you definitely cannot beat the 100% paid tuition for how much my school cost. Oh, I am 22 years old by the way :). Thanks again, I sincerely appreciate you guys taking the time to give invaluable advice.

Mintyfreshness23: Thank you for your service in the United States Marine Corps! I have the deepest respect for those who have served our country, especially the Marines. You're definitely on the right track commissioning as an Officer in any branch Nurse Corps of your choosing. Keep doing what you're doing and I'll see you on the other side. :up:

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I think you made a wise move m4rk! Congrats and good luck!

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