Im Confused A Lil

Itshamrtym · May 23, 2008

Hello

I sent you a email.

HisTreasure, BSN, RN · May 23, 2008

A recruiter's job is to recruit you. Trust me, I know, my beloved BIL was a Marine Recruiter for quite a few years and he was a BEAST. He said what he had to to get people in the door. Now, I am not military myself but I have been told over and over that the LPN is not recognized in the military. I've been told you will go into the branch of your choice as ENLISTED and you could take a medical pathway but you will be a medic. An honorable job, but not a recognize nurse. In order to gain officer status and be a "nurse" in the military you need your BSN. Period. Browsing this forum the past few days has just affirmed what I have been told by my family members currently serving.

I am an LPN and I value my experience. I would never tell a person NOT to go to school for this career, especially since you actually got INTO what I bet was a very competitive program. I encourage to take heart, though. Go into the situation knowing that other steps will have to be taken and further schooling is required if you want to make rank in the military as a nurse.

Good luck!

allnurses Guide · May 23, 2008

I read in one of these forums that any military would not accept anyone with an LPN, but then i had a chance to speak with a Navy recruiter face to face on accident and he said that they would accept them and something about goin to the NCP or ROTC and then working 5 years to pay it off! So which is it? I ask because I was enrolling for the LPN program at a school and i didnt want to waste my time if i wont get accepted in the military. What is the truth? Thank you in advance!:bowingpur

LVNs come in as in the military as enlisted. It is possible to join the military and later become an officer/BSN, but it is generally a long road w/ no guarantees of acceptance into the programs.

Itshamrtym · May 23, 2008

Another option would be to get your LPN and you could do the RN with Excelsior College (I did this). YOU would just have to check your Board of Nursing too see if they except EC. A lot of it can be done on-line,but takes much motivation. The Army has an agreement with EC and much of the course work they will pay for. Also you will be able to take the dantes clep exams for free at your military instalation. If interested you could check out www.excelsiorcollege.edu . And as I mentioned in my e-mail, after you get your RN, you could get the STRAP program and get the stipend (around $1,900.00 per month) for 24 months to obtain your BSN. As far as the LPN I know that they changed it a lot. They will also give you EMT type training in addtion to your LPN. Back in the late 90's the Army was really recruiting LPN's.

My reserve recruiter back then was a LPN with the Army for quite awhile. She then went on and got her PA!!!! Talk to a savy recruiter. It is wide open for you to further your education.... Good luck. :nurse: :redbeathe:nurse:

66HotelMikeFive · May 23, 2008

PrincessH,

I am not sure about the Navy etc, but in the Army an LPN/LVN is an enlisted MOS. You are considered a 91W (Healthcare Specialist /Medic) with the additional skill identifier of M6 (LPN). I think the Army is in the process of changing the enlisted Medical MOS structure so 91WM6 may be old school by now. I know that if you were to obtain your NREMT-B as well as your LPN and then enlist as a 91WM6 you could skip most of AIT as well as enter with advanced rank under the CAS program (Civilian Acquired Skills).

As far as obtaining you RN after enlistment... that depends on your motivation as well as the "needs of the Army". It can be done but it is a tough road to hoe.

If you are intent on serving in the Nurse Corps. I am not sure of your age etc but my advice would be to finish nursing school and obtain your RN prior to service. I am not attempting to discourage you from enlisting if that is what you want to do (Personally, I think prior enlisted make for= better officers.) ... God knows our military needs enlisted to function but if I am understanding your question correctly, it sounds like your ultimate goal is to serve as an RN. If that is correct then finish school first....ROTC is a VERY good option.

Just my :twocents: worth. Hope that helped.

66HM5

66HotelMikeFive · May 23, 2008

Sorry, I forgot to mention the Army's Green To Gold program. Do a google search and check it out. It may be just what you are looking for.