Can I pick my specialty out of ROTC?

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I will be going through an ROTC program while completing my BSN.

I'm wondering if you're able to pick a specialty after completing your degree, or are you simply placed where the Army needs you?

I've heard a lot of mixed responses while searching. Many say that you do 2 years med surg before you're able to pick a specialty, but I've also seen that the Army has courses for new nurses to learn a specialty at the end of ROTC.

Can anyone fill me in? I'm really interested in ICU and ER nursing, I'd be a little disappointed if I was placed in med surg for a couple of years.

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

I have not heard of anyone being able to pick their specialty as a new nurse in the Army. You will be assigned based on the need of the Army. Plan on working on a med-surg floor for 1-2 years.

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If you are selected or competing for Active Duty, you will not choose a specialty until after the CNTP (clinical nurse transition program) and after 1 1/2 to 2 years of med surg experience. This could be longer or shorter depending on when the courses are available, your floor leadership, and many other factors. If you are Reserve and you get hired in the ICU or ER that will be your civilian job and the Army might use you in a different capacity or the same.

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