Can I join military as an LVN?

[Lfransis]

Hi everyone. I am new to the boards here.

I will be graduating LVN school in Aug.06' and sit the boards. My goal is to begin working toward my RN immediately(fall 06).

I am currently looking into schools and various programs thru-out Texas.

Befor I decided to begin a medical career, I worked as a commercial diver and hyperbaric tech. I have worked with the Coast Gaurd and Army Corps. of Engineers on many projects and have always wanted to join the military. I am quickly approaching 30.

My question ( I can not seem to get specific info. from Gov. sites)-

Basically need to know;

Is it a possibility to join military as an LVN? and then pursue an RN?

Thanks anybody,

c.sides

[mmm333, LVN]

Good god, if you were a commercial diver and chamber tech, you should REALLY consider going Navy Diver or Navy EOD Medic, or (if you are really up to it and can get an age waiver, SEAL). Why waste all of that knowledge? If you love diving, go diver or SEAL (go to an SDV Team). Each of these groups has their own paramedics and to be a chamber tech is a coveted mark of pride and open more doors, as would being an LVN. If you are going to enlist, trust me, do so into one of these special units. Otherwise you might get stuck on some lame duty for years (at a boot camp taking people's temperatures, etc. Then you can put in for programs to get out and go to school for a commission (BSN) or the military PA program. FORGET about "working on your bachelor's during your enlistment", a classic catchphrase used by recruiters and laughed about by enlisted folks. For a small number of lucky few, there is enough free time and proximity to an amenable situation/campus where you can attend. In MOST cases, you are far from an urban center or university where you would be able to study, work random shifts which prevent taking classes, and in many cases are deployed abroad. While many manage to knock out general ed or prereq courses by burning the midnight oil, taking anatomy or other science courses with labs, or sequential courses within nursing programs, etc. may be next to impossible. Plan on knocking out nursing school before or between enlistments, not during an enlistment.