what can i expect if i join the army?

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I'm graduating from LPN school in December and am very interested in joining the Army but cannot find very much information about this. The recruiters are even more confusing talking about ranks, school, etc.. Can someone please tell me how I should go about this, what I should make sure of before I sign anything and what I should expect after I join? Thanks!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

If you join the army with an LPN license, you will be regarded as an 'enlisted' member. Your scope of nursing practice will likely be significantly wider than civilian LPNs because you will be working for the government.

If you join the army with RN licensure and a degree, you will be regarded as an 'officer.' Officers in the army enjoy greater pay, more prestige, and many more perks than the enlisted members.

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I can only tell you about the Canadian Forces. An LPN is considered a Medic by trade. Our military will pay for your extra courses (OR Tech, Ortho Tech) because they can be utilized in the field.

The scope of practice exceeds the civilian scope. OR Techs can close for the surgeon. The medics intubate, etc. Our military also enlists you as a medic, trains you to their level and will then pay for the PN programme, because it is a requirement for the Tech courses that they will also pay for.

The main thing to remember is you have to make it through basic training, be willing to move when the Force tells you to, and be willing to serve overseas. But seeing as I've seen some very out of shape medics, they seem to let the fitness requirements slide once you're in.

Forgot to add, the military pays better, but then you have to deal with differnent crap from a civilian life. No overtime pay, being on call 24/7, etc..

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You'd be a medic in US Military, too. Have you considered getting your BSN? The Military has the ROTC program, and with that they pay for your tuition, all your books and fees along with a monthly stipend. Some colleges throw in the room and board and others you can strong arm them to giving you the room and board. After graduation you owe 4 years active or 6 reserves, and you still get the GI bill after you leave the military.

My daughter went through De Paul University in Chicago with a ROTC scholarship, and that had to cost the US Military pretty close to $100,000 for all 4 years and she'll still have the GI bill when she leaves. She's just made Captain, proud mom - sorry, I just can't help myself, and she signed up for more. You also have more money and respect going in and coming out as an officer. Stop by a recruiting station or check out the web, lots of info and definitely a big need.

Good Luck with whatever you decide

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You'd be a medic in US Military, too. Have you considered getting your BSN? The Military has the ROTC program, and with that they pay for your tuition, all your books and fees along with a monthly stipend. Some colleges throw in the room and board and others you can strong arm them to giving you the room and board. After graduation you owe 4 years active or 6 reserves, and you still get the GI bill after you leave the military.

as a former medic un the US military, what this guys says is your best bet, if you're really interested in the military. I had fun as an enlisted medic i learned a lot of neat things, you work closely with docs, but if i had the chance to do it all over again i would have finished school first and then join... going to school and being in the military is possible but takes longer...

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
You'd be a medic in US Military, too. Have you considered getting your BSN? The Military has the ROTC program, and with that they pay for your tuition, all your books and fees along with a monthly stipend. Some colleges throw in the room and board and others you can strong arm them to giving you the room and board. After graduation you owe 4 years active or 6 reserves, and you still get the GI bill after you leave the military.

My daughter went through De Paul University in Chicago with a ROTC scholarship, and that had to cost the US Military pretty close to $100,000 for all 4 years and she'll still have the GI bill when she leaves. She's just made Captain, proud mom - sorry, I just can't help myself, and she signed up for more. You also have more money and respect going in and coming out as an officer. Stop by a recruiting station or check out the web, lots of info and definitely a big need.

Good Luck with whatever you decide

Hello spydercadet,

Hey? I went to DePaul, (just graduated this past June) however they do not have the BSN, (do they have the BSN completion again?) I got my MS entry. However I really would've loved to have gone ROTC or even as a BSN student with the Army Nurse Canidate program where they pay a stipend. The Army Nurse Candidate program is only for schools that do not have ROTC.

To the original poster... I agree that going for a BSN as an ROTC cadet is a very worthy route to enter into the Army.

Gen

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