Have you seen anyone make a lateral move to the Nurse Corp

DanznRN, RN · Nov 4, 2006

I have seen nurses become doctors, more vertical move though. Considering the shortage of nurses in the Navy, I think it could be done.

LCDR Dan

Gennaver, MSN · Nov 4, 2006

I have seen nurses become doctors, more vertical move though. Considering the shortage of nurses in the Navy, I think it could be done.
LCDR Dan

Hi,

I had to think about this a second. Medicine and Nursing are similar but not parallel.

Both positions are professional and Officers right?

So, going from being a lab tech to an RN sounds like more than lateral because this nurse would be going from ?enlisted? to commissioned?

Just pondering,

Gen

DanznRN, RN · Nov 4, 2006

Hi,
I had to think about this a second. Medicine and Nursing are similar but not parallel.
Both positions are professional and Officers right?
So, going from being a lab tech (this is an enlisted position in the Navy) to an RN (this is an officer position in the Navy) sounds like more than lateral because this nurse would be going from ?enlisted? to commissioned?
Just pondering,
Gen

Now, if you get the position as Laboratory Officer, it is still lateral in that they are both officer positions. In the Navy medicine and Nursing are parellel, only the fact that MDs get a yearly bonus is what seperates us. they still advance at the same rate as us. However, they do come on active duty higher than we do. Do you know what I mean? Your original post said Lab Officer, now if you are going for Lab Tech, those are very different in the Navy.

LCDR Dan

IU95 · Nov 5, 2006

To clarify, I have a BS in Medical Technology and will hopefully be accepted as a 77E, Clinical Laboratory Officer, not enlisted lab tech.

One concern I had was say I made O-3 as a CLO, then finished my BSN and entered the Nurse Corp. I would be a green nurse yet have an advanced rank for my level of nursing skills and experience.

Would this be problematic?

DanznRN, RN · Nov 5, 2006

I didn't realize above that Gennaver had made the post, that's who my answer was directed to. Anyway, you're talking Army and I'm Navy, so I'm not sure how that would all pan out. In the Navy, if you made to LT for instance and went back to be a doctor, you go back to the lowest doc rank until you graduate then you come back up to where you were, had a friend do that. Look for Corvette Guy on here, he is all about the Army and is very knowledgeable.

LCDR Dan

Gennaver, MSN · Nov 5, 2006

To clarify, I have a BS in Medical Technology and will hopefully be accepted as a 77E, Clinical Laboratory Officer, not enlisted lab tech.
One concern I had was say I made O-3 as a CLO, then finished my BSN and entered the Nurse Corp. I would be a green nurse yet have an advanced rank for my level of nursing skills and experience.
Would this be problematic?

Hello,

Not sure if this makes any difference but, I think that all new nurses, (regardless of degree) start out as a 2nd LT.

My undergrad is in Sociology and Psychology and I've got an associates in Biology while my entry to nursing degree is going to be a Masters...I will go in as a 2LT.

The only way I think to raise your rank in this capacity would be to have 10+ years nursing experience OR to have experience and a higher degree OR to have other people come along with you.

You'd really have to ask your AMEDD recruiter but, I think those are the only things that would bring you in higher than a 2LT. As a new clinical nurse we all go in as 2LT, (unless we bring others in with us, that will raise your rank, from what I hear).

Does that answer what you were asking?

Gen

IU95 · Nov 6, 2006

I didn't realize above that Gennaver had made the post, that's who my answer was directed to. Anyway, you're talking Army and I'm Navy, so I'm not sure how that would all pan out. In the Navy, if you made to LT for instance and went back to be a doctor, you go back to the lowest doc rank until you graduate then you come back up to where you were, had a friend do that. Look for Corvette Guy on here, he is all about the Army and is very knowledgeable.
LCDR Dan

Yes, I would understand going back in rank when in school. My situation would be a bit different though as I plan to complete my BSN while on AD as a CLO. My concern was if it would be problematic coming in as a new nurse as an O-3.

And yes, I realize your Navy and I am talking about Army but one would think it would be same concept regardless of branch. Then again, military...

Thanks for input!

IU95 · Nov 6, 2006

Hello,
Not sure if this makes any difference but, I think that all new nurses, (regardless of degree) start out as a 2nd LT.
My undergrad is in Sociology and Psychology and I've got an associates in Biology while my entry to nursing degree is going to be a Masters...I will go in as a 2LT.
The only way I think to raise your rank in this capacity would be to have 10+ years nursing experience OR to have experience and a higher degree OR to have other people come along with you.
You'd really have to ask your AMEDD recruiter but, I think those are the only things that would bring you in higher than a 2LT. As a new clinical nurse we all go in as 2LT, (unless we bring others in with us, that will raise your rank, from what I hear).
Does that answer what you were asking?
Gen

I agree that without experience or advanced training all would enter Nurse Corp as a 2nd Lt. The difference for me is if I was a Clinical Laboratory Officer and made Captain and then laterally transferred into the Nurse Corp. In this situation I would already be a Captain, but still a brand new nurse.

Sounds like from LCDR Dan's post about his friend that became an MD, I would still keep my rank.

DanznRN, RN · Nov 7, 2006

IU95-

Logically, I see what you're saying and no the concepts are not the same across the board, all the military services do it differently. I would think you would keep you're rank also, but not sure how it would all work. Question, do you plan on getting your BSN through the Army or on your own? In the Navy there is a general rule, "if the Navy doesn't pay for it, they don't care about it." In other words, the Army is bringing you on as a Lab Officer, right? If you get your BSN on your own and want to go nurse corps, they loose a Lab Officer, but gain a Nurse. Sometimes, they will not recognize your degree you got outside the military, this is where the oxymoron, military intelligence comes in to play. Take for instance my wife's situation. She has been a nurse going on 7 years now, she has been working on her Master's a dual FNP/ Midwife. At present, with the current rules, once she graduates with her Master's the Navy is not obligated to use her in that capacity. Now, there are rumblings that the rules are going to change, when? Who knows, but that is how it stands now regarding the Navy. You may want to speak to an Army nurse to get the straight scoop. I go to school with a couple, you want me to ask them what their take is on it? I'll see them on Tuesday, tomorrow, let me know.

LCDR Dan

IU95 · Nov 7, 2006

Planning on getting BSN on my own with tuition assistance.

Yes, please ask their opinion.

I did find an Army reg that stated a Corp transfer request would be give a yea or nay vote by both the losing Corp and the gaining Corp. If both are yes, then no problem. If both no, transfer not approved. If opposite votes, the head officer decides the tie.

I suppose it would be rather drastic but if I had to I could separate if they refused my transfer and then reenter as a civilian with a BSN. A backup plan.

DanznRN, RN · Nov 7, 2006

That is the answer I got from them as well. So good luck and I hope it all works out.

LCDR Dan