Can permanent residents join the Army Nurse Corps as an officer?

Published

I'm seeing a lot of conflicting information out there. I'll have my BSN in 2016 and I was wondering if the Army would let me in as an officer with just a green card.

Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

From what I understand you must be a US citizen to become a officer in any of the services. This is due to the fact that all officers have to have a secret clearance.

Specializes in ER, ICU.

Correct, officers must be citizens.

Specializes in Eventually Midwifery.

You may join the Army Nurse Corp being an LPR.

"ACTIVE DUTY ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTSU.S. citizen or permanent resident

21 to 42 years of age (age waiver may be available)

Minimum of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree

from an accredited school

Current, valid, unrestricted license to practice as a

registered nurse

Must meet the Army’s physical and moral standards"

http://www.goarmy.com/content/dam/goarmy/downloaded_assets/pdfs/amedd/RPI%20518%20FS%20Nurse%20Corps%20Sep%2011%20LowRes.pdf

You may join the Army Nurse Corp being an LPR.

"ACTIVE DUTY ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTSU.S. citizen or permanent resident

21 to 42 years of age (age waiver may be available)

Minimum of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree

from an accredited school

Current, valid, unrestricted license to practice as a

registered nurse

Must meet the Army's physical and moral standards"

http://www.goarmy.com/content/dam/goarmy/downloaded_assets/pdfs/amedd/RPI%20518%20FS%20Nurse%20Corps%20Sep%2011%20LowRes.pdf

I can assure you in today's climate they will only look at you if you are a citizen, much less red tape for a clearance.

So in short you need to be a citizen. Same with BSN even though it says ADN or diploma I haven't heard of a new AD ADN nurse in the last 20 years and in the reserves almost 10 years.

Specializes in Eventually Midwifery.
I can assure you in today's climate they will only look at you if you are a citizen, much less red tape for a clearance.

The information that I posted came directly from the ARMY's website.

Same with BSN even though it says ADN or diploma I haven't heard of a new AD ADN nurse in the last 20 years and in the reserves almost 10 years.

The ARMY's website clearly indicates that you need to have a minimum BSN.

OP, I suggest you call an army recruiter so that your questions may be answered thoroughly. 1.888.550.ARMY

Specializes in Eventually Midwifery.

On a side note, OP how long have you been an LPR? If you have been an LPR for at least 3 years and are married to a US citizen you can apply for your citizenship. If you are not married to a US citizen, but have been an LPR for at least 5 years, you can apply for your citizenship. If you have any questions about that, feel free to PM me

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

You should clarify with a healthcare recruiter, but the Army website has listed US citizenship as a requirement for quite a while: http://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/amedd-categories/nurse-corps-jobs/medical-surgical-nurse.html

The link mamagui posted earlier is old, from 2011. It is always best to get the latest info because things constantly change.

Specializes in Eventually Midwifery.

Actually, I asked their virtual sergeant what the requirements are and that is the information that he gave me, along with a link to the .pdf. If this is the wrong information, then the website needs to be updated. But again, speaking to a recruiter is probably the best route.

Specializes in Eventually Midwifery.

I just found another place, for the Nurse Candidate program, that does require citizenship. Very confusing having conflicting information.

OP, give them a call and see what they say. You may want to mention to the recruiter that the website has conflicting information.

OP, please discuss your questions with a Nurse Corps recruiter. Enlisted recruiters (such as the ones mamagui referenced) do not handle potential officers looking for a commission.

There are different requirements for entering as an officer versus as an enlistee, as mamagui discovered, hence the seemingly conflicting information. Dranger and Pixie, both service members, are quite correct--it is competitive to enter right now, and you will be at a serious disadvantage if you're not a citizen. If you make it past selection, your security clearance will be something of a nightmare.

While other folks on these boards may be fond of posting old information, please note that your best bet is to speak with a Nurse Corps recruiter directly. If you take away nothing more from my post, please remember that. Their information will be the most current and reliable, beyond that which even we active duty folks can provide you as things are constantly changing.

Specializes in Eventually Midwifery.
While other folks on these boards may be fond of posting old information

Again, to be quite clear, I used the Army's website's virtual sergeant star to get the information. If the information was old, it is not because I am "fond of posting old information," but rather it was the information given to me.

OP, I am quite sure if you call the number I posted you can request to speak to a nurse corps recruiter, or they can direct you to a different number. Or, alternatively, you can click Locate Us | goarmy.com and find a local recruiter for your area.

+ Join the Discussion