Can new RN grad/No BSN enlist in the military?

DrCOVID, DNP · Oct 18, 2009

It would be best to pose this question to a recruiter, but I think you must have a bachelors degree in order to be a nurse in the Air Force. If you enlist, you might not be able to perform nursing duties, although I know that the some medical professionals in the AF are enlisted.

Hope this helps.

just_cause, BSN, RN · Oct 18, 2009

You can enlist - in a non-nurse capacity. If you talk to a recruiter there is a chance they will 'paint' a picture of how you can succeed in that situation.... that is bad advice-If you want to be an officer and serve as a nurse.. or rather to be a nurse in the military GET YOUR BSN prior and then commission as a nurse... the only exception is army reserves where you can commission with an ADN.

v/r

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Oct 18, 2009

I second just_cause's advice.

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Oct 18, 2009

agree also, it will be be hard to complete your RN-BSN on active duty.

kato10 · Oct 19, 2009

You might check with the Army. I know they have different programs where you can actually be an officer without a bachelor's. They require you to finish in a certain time period. My brother is going through OTS for the guard and doesn't have a degree yet.

just_cause, BSN, RN · Oct 20, 2009

.... to the original poster... . the key is getting the BSN in order to be a active duty nurse in the military.

The good news is there are a lot of programs out there - but the key is you need to get in a BSN program. From there you can be in the navy as a navy nurse candidate and have a monthly stipend until graduation - or you can be a student and get a contract set 1 year out from graduation ie nclex date - or you can finish your BSN and then either commission and get a loan repayment or bonus or in some cases a little of both.

I'd research a bit - look at what your priorities are - but do not be tempted by the quick path if your goal is to be a commissioned officer serving as a nurse... you need a BSN - unless you are in the army reserves with an ADN and then at that point you have limitations prior to moving to 03 where you will need a BSN regardless.

v/r

markisrn · Oct 20, 2009

I am an 0-2 in the Army Reserve with an ADN. I am getting my BSN online through the Army STRAP program. It's a sweet deal. I get 1905.00/mo stipend and I am doing the healthcare loan repayment. I am able to do this and continue to work my full time job. I would advise if you want to serve, then get in now and get some help with the cost of school. I am prior service infantry and am proud to be serving again. God bless America...HOOAH!

CASTLEGATES · Oct 23, 2009

You might check with the Army. I know they have different programs where you can actually be an officer without a bachelor's. They require you to finish in a certain time period. My brother is going through OTS for the guard and doesn't have a degree yet.

The National Guard and Army Reserves do not require a BSN which means part time. If you want to be deployed, move to an area with a deployed Guard or Reserves unit and apply with that recruiter. If you're army or ARNG you go to OBC first.

You can request to be deployed but during the first desert storm, they only wanted me to backfill in KY...I wanted to go to a CASH unit (still not cured from my infantry days) and ended up filling at an airforce base (yes, as army) seeing enough ugly to get me over war.

I spent 10 years in the reserves; 5 enlisted, 5 Army nurse corps as a commissioned officer without a BSN.

Enayni · Oct 27, 2009

Hi,

You should seriously consider completing your BSN before going into the army. You will commission as an officer. Don't enlist! It's almost impossible to switch over from enlisted to commissioned. I graduate December 2009, and I will commission as a 2nd Lt. You will have way more benefits.

rcj2009 · Oct 27, 2009

Hi,
You should seriously consider completing your BSN before going into the army. You will commission as an officer. Don't enlist! It's almost impossible to switch over from enlisted to commissioned. I graduate December 2009, and I will commission as a 2nd Lt. You will have way more benefits.

I have talked to both AMEDD recruiters and officers in AMEDD who say this isn't so. They all say it is significantly easier for them to switch you over to being a commissioned officer on account that you are already in the Army system, you've already been through MEPS and been screened, etc.

I hope they are telling the truth, because I enlisted in the Army Reserve as a 68W (medic) and once I have my BSN, I plan on commissioning.

That being sid, if I was already an RN or BSN, I wouldn't enlist first.

just_cause, BSN, RN · Oct 27, 2009

Well... I've served enlisted to officer in the Army... and along with the advice I gave and other I strongly recommended obtaining BSN first if your goal was to be a nurse. It is possible but the path is less in your control and will take longer - it is always best to map out your own quest...some feel safer taking the paths of others. Best of luck. You will learn some good skills as a medic and you will have opportunities to apply for a enlisted to nurse program - but you will find you will be at the mercy of the decisions of others and at the scrutiny of MILPER messages and contract requirements etc.