What am I getting myself into

[lebo2072]

Hi Everyone,

I am currently a nurse (BSN) working in the ER for the last five years. I spoke with a national guard recruiter yesterday, he states I have to enlist and then go to officer candidate school. Are there not direct commissions in the national guard? I just feel like he is not giving me the full story. Any help would be appreciated!

[St.BaptistRN, BSN]

I'm not sure about the guard, but I just commissioned as a 2nd lt as an RN into af, no enlistment required. Find a nurse recruiter, don't go to a regular one

[OUxPhys, BSN, RN]

No you do not have to enlist. You need to speak with a healthcare recruiter, not a general recruiter.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

No. Just no. Let me find you the link for AMEDD recruiting.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

Go to this page: Find Army and Military Recruiters Near You | goarmy.com

Select medical (AMEDD) and put in your zip. Talk to the Reserves people, they can point you to NG resources.

Do NOT enlist. Geez, these recruiters!

[nurse2033, MSN, RN]

Enlistment is for enlisted, commissioning if for officers. Nurses are officers. You need a Bachelor degree to commission. You can't work as a nurse as enlisted so don't do that. The two tier system might be hard for civilians to understand. But basically, officers are the manager and directors (leaders), and enlisted are the hands-on heros, and higher ranking enlisted lead other enlisted.

To answer your question, you would commission as a officer. Then go to officer school, then a speciality school if entering a specialty nursing field. As a reserve or guardsman the military is drawing on your civilian experience and expects you know how to be a nurse. Thusly, they won't be training you how to be a nurse. If you are going to be a flight nurse, they will give you flight nurse training, for example.