Education in the military?

DanznRN, RN · Aug 28, 2007

It all depends on what you want. If you want to go Active Duty and be an RN then it's college for your BSN for the Navy. If you want to go the LPN route the Army will take you, but that's an enlisted position. There is a significant difference between enlisted and officer. Let us know what your goals are and we can be more helpful.

LCDR Dan

jen2190 · Aug 28, 2007

I would like to become an RN with my Master's and hopefully upgrade into a Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. I've already visited an Army recruiter who he told me that school, housing, books, and meals were covered. Now I am just exploring the other branches so I make the right decision. Thank you by the way for replying to my post.

nc4986 · Oct 29, 2007

hi, i am currently a pre nursing student (MA) who's trying to figure out which is a better choice, getting my AS or BSN before enlisting or after, i do understand that deployment can interfere with schooling but none has stated exactly what you can do if it happens, do you have to start over? is there a grace period till you get back? online courses? i have been trying to research this for a while now, i come from an airforce family but would go navy if it better suited my goal, to be a trauma nurse, i would not have batted this around for so long except i have 2children and a wife at home and if i am going to leave home i really don't want to waste time.

allnurses Guide · Oct 29, 2007

hi, i am currently a pre nursing student (MA) who's trying to figure out which is a better choice, getting my AS or BSN before enlisting or after, i do understand that deployment can interfere with schooling but none has stated exactly what you can do if it happens, do you have to start over? is there a grace period till you get back? online courses? i have been trying to research this for a while now, i come from an airforce family but would go navy if it better suited my goal, to be a trauma nurse, i would not have batted this around for so long except i have 2children and a wife at home and if i am going to leave home i really don't want to waste time.

Basically, if you want to be a nurse on active-duty then you have to have your BSN. I don't recommend trying to get your nursing degree after you enlist. It can add years to the amount of time it would normally take to get your BSN, and some places you will work as an enlisted it would be impossible to do your nursing clinicals.

Good Luck!

Gennaver, MSN · Oct 29, 2007

I would like to become an RN with my Master's and hopefully upgrade into a Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. I've already visited an Army recruiter who he told me that school, housing, books, and meals were covered. Now I am just exploring the other branches so I make the right decision. Thank you by the way for replying to my post.

Hello,

From what a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner told me just last week the Army is really in need of Psychiatric nurses.

Gen

allnurses Guide · Oct 29, 2007

Hello,
From what a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner told me just last week the Army is really in need of Psychiatric nurses.
Gen

Gen,

You just jogged my memory....Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) is starting their psych nurse practitioner program next year. It will be available to all uniformed nurses that meet their branches and the universities entrance requirements. The first class is supposed to be really small, and then grow every year for awhile.

The AF is taking 2 applicants for the psych nurse practitioner program for next year.

nc4986 · Oct 30, 2007

ok, thats kind of what i thought might be the case. well then , does anyone know if there is any loan repayment when enlisting or will i be paying the brunt of it while I am going then whatever is left after 4 yrs can be paid off, or is there some kind of equal minimum? i am pretty strapped for cash but if need be i can do the latter. sorry if these questions seem very... well "newbie" but just not sure where else to get good info from.