Becoming an Army nurse? Or any Military for that matter?

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Jul 23, 2011

You will need to get ahold of a Health Care Recriuter. The closest HCR to me was over 70 miles away so they are spread thin. It takes a min. of 6 months from the time you start the process until you go on active duty. From reading post on this board it is taking most 12-18 months. So start now if the military is in your future.

joshdwarhawks · Jul 23, 2011

Thanks. Also, I know I don't have the time (I'm a Junior in college) to do Army ROTC or even be in the Reserve at this point. How badly will that affect my being accepted into the Army? What could I expect to do once I've graduated nursing school?

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jul 23, 2011

Thanks. Also, I know I don't have the time (I'm a Junior in college) to do Army ROTC or even be in the Reserve at this point. How badly will that affect my being accepted into the Army?

The Army is extremely competitive at this point, and anything you can do to get a foot in the door (i.e., ROTC or Reserves) might mean the difference in being selected. I wouldn't count on getting in as a new grad without any experience with the way things are right now. Sorry to paint a gloomy picture for you, but that's the way things are.

just_cause, BSN, RN · Jul 23, 2011

I would look long term. I would not join ROTC (me personally) I would then spend all energy on getting BSN and first job. From that point you can look forward to working on packet and applying for board so you have at least 1 year experience by the time you board. This will give you the experience... prevent some unexpected frustration and set you up for success given the current 'market' in military nursing. BTW going reserve is not an easy option to going active duty at a later date. It would probably be a shorter route to do the experience to active duty option IMHO.

best of luck,

oh yeah.. lastly. no need to talk to a recruiter at this point :) There is enough knowledge and info HERE and via some GOOGLE that you can gain enough knowledge to contact a recruiter at a later date to assist you with the process.. but info and planning can be done here..

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Jul 23, 2011

The only reason I said that you need to speak with a HRC is get direction on the process works, contact info etc. Justcause is right that they will not be able to help you much but they can give you upto date info.

SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN · Jul 23, 2011

You're too late to do ROTC, but ask the recruiter about the Army Nurse Candidate Program (ANCP--NOT the AECP--that's for enlisted folks). That's what I did as a junior. It's open to juniors and seniors. They'll enlist you so that they can pay you while you're in school, basically. They'll give you a $1000 paycheck a month and a signing bonus (mine was $10,000). After nursing school, you have 2 chances to take the NCLEX and then once you've passed, they'll send you on to BOLC. I'm not sure they're still offering this option, but I bumped into it and that's how I got in as a new grad.

joshdwarhawks · Jul 24, 2011

You're too late to do ROTC, but ask the recruiter about the Army Nurse Candidate Program (ANCP--NOT the AECP--that's for enlisted folks). That's what I did as a junior. It's open to juniors and seniors. They'll enlist you so that they can pay you while you're in school, basically. They'll give you a $1000 paycheck a month and a signing bonus (mine was $10,000). After nursing school, you have 2 chances to take the NCLEX and then once you've passed, they'll send you on to BOLC. I'm not sure they're still offering this option, but I bumped into it and that's how I got in as a new grad.

How long ago was this? That would be awesome if I were able to get into that program. Also, what would I have to do as far as military-type training in between?

SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN · Jul 25, 2011

I graduated in 2010. I joined this program in 2009. There is no training component involved--just school (which is part of the reason this was a better option for me than ROTC). All your training starts after you graduate nursing school and pass the NCLEX.

joshdwarhawks · Jul 25, 2011

I graduated in 2010. I joined this program in 2009. There is no training component involved--just school (which is part of the reason this was a better option for me than ROTC). All your training starts after you graduate nursing school and pass the NCLEX.

I see. The closest Army medical recruiter is over 2 hours away from me. Hopefully this coming month I'll go speak with them. I'm wondering how far ahead I need to talk with them because I've heard of the delays in being accepted into the program (long wordy sentence, I know). And I'm assuming after BOLC I'd go to OCS?

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jul 25, 2011

No OCS -- just BOLC.

SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN · Jul 25, 2011

It took me about ...er, I'd say 6 months to get the ANCP stuff completed. Either way, it'd be a way in, and there's very little chance of you getting in as a new grad.

Lunah is correct: no OCS. No boot camp for that matter, either. The sole reason for your enlistment is so that the Army can have you on the books so they can pay you. Period. No training, no enlisted stuff to deal with--just payment until you go to BOLC (Basic Officer Leader Course at Fort Sam).