Is a BSN Mandatory For Military Nursing?

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..or is an ADN acceptable for Guard/Reserve duty? I am a second-career into nursing guy, have an M.A. in another field, am a retired 0-4 from the Air National Guard. I will be finishing my ADN program within the year and would love to get back into uniform in the Reserves or Guard (Army or Air Force). I realize that this kind of a unique circumstance, but any help would be much appreciated!

Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
Thanks for the info Corvette Guy! I would have no problem going back to "green" from "blue"...Just wondering, did you have to attend any resident Officer Basic Course or any other in-residence course after you received your Commission? How did you find your Reserve unit to be, (I assume it was with a Medical unit), and what type of duties would you normally do during a weekend drill?

My reading of the reg.'s appears to say that you would retire at your highest-held rank, so even if I didn't obtain my BSN and remained a Captain, I would still receive 0-4 pay at age 60.

Like you mentioned in other posts though, there are so many loopholes and different ways of getting things done, that unless there are glaring problems, I imagine most of those requirements to receive a Nurisng Commision may be "waived"?

I am going to contact a Army Reserve recruiter to get some more details....Thanks again, and Good Luck in Ft. Lewis...OOOH AHH!

jwaz417 - I will only post what I know to be the facts. So, about your post read..."My reading of the reg.'s appears to say that you would retire at your highest-held rank, so even if I didn't obtain my BSN and remained a Captain, I would still receive 0-4 pay at age 60." I have no idea if that is true, or not. I do know [since I have prior enlisted AD service & researched such] that for a 20 yr retirement & retire as an officer a person cannot have more than 10 yrs enlisted service and still retire with officer pay.

Yes, members of the Army Nurse Corps attend a resident Officer Basic Course [OBC] that is only 2 weeks in duration at FT Sam Houston [FSH, San Antonio], TX. Although, 2 weeks seems too short they crammed alot of info into us with sometimes 12 hr classroom days. FTX was only 4 days, yet we were in formation before sun up & did not wind down until waaaay after sundown. The Active Duty OBC is a 10-14 week resident course. The actual length is based on whether, or not one has prior military service.

I knew someone that was a TPU [assigned to a reserve unit] Reserve Soldier assigned to a USAH at FT Sam Houston, which is only 65 miles from my home [until March 10th ]. My son was a Reserve Soldier [91D/OR Tech] assigned to a CASH Reserve Unit at FSH. A USAH backfills CONUS Army Medical Centers, and usually don't get mobilized as an entire Unit. While with my Reserve Unit for almost 3 yrs I saw many Soldiers get mobilized. Whereas, a CASH may also backfill an Army Medical Center, however they do get mobilized as a Unit OCONUS. What I liked best about my Reserve Unit is our Saturdays were at the Army Medical Center working alongside AD & civilian health care professionals.

Feel free to PM for further detailed questions.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
..or is an adn acceptable for guard/reserve duty? i am a second-career into nursing guy, have an m.a. in another field, am a retired 0-4 from the air national guard. i will be finishing my adn program within the year and would love to get back into uniform in the reserves or guard (army or air force). i realize that this kind of a unique circumstance, but any help would be much appreciated!

fyi, the following information is an excerpt from the feb 06 issue of the army nurse corps newsletter regarding funding for the adn-bsn program. hope it inspires you to go for it.

all reserve component army nurses, except active guard and reserve (agr), who do not currently possess a bachelor of science in

nursing (bsn) degree and meet the criteria below, should apply for the specialized training and assistance program (strap) monthly

stipend of $1,279, adjusted annually. effective immediately, the bsn-strap stipend is available for eligible army reserve and national

guard nurses for up to a maximum of two (2) years. the bsn-strap initiative is one tool in a larger endeavor that is designed to

stimulate personal and professional growth, and to establish a viable future force of nurses. bsn-strap is intended to supplement other

financial programs that may be available to qualified officers completing a bsn, such as:

1. tuition assistance

2. montgomery gi bill

3. health professions loan repayment (hplr)

in addition to current strap guidelines and policies, you must be able to:

1. complete your degree program within twenty-four (24) months of signing the strap agreement and prior to the convening date

of your selection board to the rank of major.

2. continuously earn at least 50 percent of the credit hours required for full-time student status at their educational institution and

maintain a grade point average of at least 2.00 on a scale of 1.0 - 4.0, and/or obtain a letter grade of "c" in all their courses.

3. have completed the amedd officer basic course (obc) prior to the submission of your application if assigned to a troop

program unit (tpu), individual mobilization augmentee (ima), or individual ready reserve (irr) position.

to download an application packet visit the hrc-army reserve website or select the following link: download medical incentive

packets.

for additional information please contact:

army reserve: maj carla bogenhagen - dsn 892-0523, commercial 800-325-4729, option #4, [email protected].

army national guard: maj patricia steinocher - dsn 327-8453, commercial 703-607-8453, [email protected].

_____________________________________________

good luck,

z

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Wow, thanks so much for that information! I really do appreciate it folks and will follow-up with this asap. Thanks again all, jwaz

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
jwaz417 - I will only post what I know to be the facts. So, about your post read..."My reading of the reg.'s appears to say that you would retire at your highest-held rank, so even if I didn't obtain my BSN and remained a Captain, I would still receive 0-4 pay at age 60." I have no idea if that is true, or not. I do know [since I have prior enlisted AD service & researched such] that for a 20 yr retirement & retire as an officer a person cannot have more than 10 yrs enlisted service and still retire with officer pay.

Correction on that one, dude. I think the reg is that you must serve at least 10 years as an officer in order to retire with that pay (and I believe you must have three years in grade, say O-5, in order to retire at that pay grade -- think that's right).

In other words, you could have 11 years enlisted, go officer, then serve 10 more years for a total of 21 and retire with officer's pay.

Hasta,

Z

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
Correction on that one, dude. I think the reg is that you must serve at least 10 years as an officer in order to retire with that pay (and I believe you must have three years in grade, say O-5, in order to retire at that pay grade -- think that's right).

In other words, you could have 11 years enlisted, go officer, then serve 10 more years for a total of 21 and retire with officer's pay.

Hasta,

Z

jzberger - Sir, you may be right. If so, I certainly appreciate the correction. Yet, would you happen to know the AR # regards to such? My question is d/t laziness, rather than fuel for debate. In otherwords, I've never read the AR & only heard speak of the requirement one must hold more years as an officer in order to retire as such with officer retirement pay.

Again, your most likely correct... just like to know where to go read the AR# on such.

- Dude :chuckle

[A.K.A. Corvette Guy :D ]

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
fyi, the following information is an excerpt from the feb 06 issue of the army nurse corps newsletter regarding funding for the adn-bsn program. hope it inspires you to go for it.

all reserve component army nurses, except active guard and reserve (agr), who do not currently possess a bachelor of science in

nursing (bsn) degree and meet the criteria below, should apply for the specialized training and assistance program (strap) monthly

stipend of $1,279, adjusted annually. effective immediately, the bsn-strap stipend is available for eligible army reserve and national

guard nurses for up to a maximum of two (2) years. the bsn-strap initiative is one tool in a larger endeavor that is designed to

stimulate personal and professional growth, and to establish a viable future force of nurses. bsn-strap is intended to supplement other

financial programs that may be available to qualified officers completing a bsn, such as:

1. tuition assistance

2. montgomery gi bill

3. health professions loan repayment (hplr)

in addition to current strap guidelines and policies, you must be able to:

1. complete your degree program within twenty-four (24) months of signing the strap agreement and prior to the convening date

of your selection board to the rank of major.

2. continuously earn at least 50 percent of the credit hours required for full-time student status at their educational institution and

maintain a grade point average of at least 2.00 on a scale of 1.0 - 4.0, and/or obtain a letter grade of "c" in all their courses.

3. have completed the amedd officer basic course (obc) prior to the submission of your application if assigned to a troop

program unit (tpu), individual mobilization augmentee (ima), or individual ready reserve (irr) position.

to download an application packet visit the hrc-army reserve website or select the following link:

download medical incentive

packets.

for additional information please contact:

army reserve:

maj carla bogenhagen - dsn 892-0523, commercial 800-325-4729, option #4, [email protected].

army national guard:

maj patricia steinocher - dsn 327-8453, commercial 703-607-8453, [email protected].

_____________________________________________

good luck,

z

i just received the same info [an corps, compo3, bsn financial assistance]

via ako email. strap sounds like an offer most usar anc adns should not refuse.

- corvette guy [a.k.a. dude :chuckle ]

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The Air National Guard also accepts ADN nurses. You can't promote past

O-2 till you have a BSN. It is another option besides the Army Reserves.

From their website:

Q. What about nurses in the Air National Guard?

A. To be a nurse in the Air National Guard you must have either a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing or an Associate's Degree in Nursing. The nursing degree must be from a National League of Nursing (NLN) accredited program. If holding an ADN, you must agree to obtain your BSN prior to obtaining the rank of Captain in the Air National Guard.

Best of luck!

J

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Hi guys,

I have a couple of questions about the Army Reserve program and a few other items:

1. To clarify, do you go in as a 1LT with ADN, and Major with BSN?

2. If you go in with the ADN, do you get promoted to Major once you complete your BSN? Is it better to wait until you complete the BSN before signing up?

3. Does your active duty time count towards retirement? I have served 2 years in the Army (Airborne) and 6 in the Navy (Electronics Technician). Yeah, I had to go to 2 different bootcamps..:uhoh3:

4. Since I've already served 6 years AD in the Navy, will they waive the 34 year old limit if I decide to go in to the Naval Reserve? I'm still leaning heavily towards Army Reserve, but I was just curious.

Thanks for your time.

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
Hi guys,

I have a couple of questions about the Army Reserve program and a few other items:

1. To clarify, do you go in as a 1LT with ADN, and Major with BSN?

2. If you go in with the ADN, do you get promoted to Major once you complete your BSN? Is it better to wait until you complete the BSN before signing up?

3. Does your active duty time count towards retirement? I have served 2 years in the Army (Airborne) and 6 in the Navy (Electronics Technician). Yeah, I had to go to 2 different bootcamps..:uhoh3:

4. Since I've already served 6 years AD in the Navy, will they waive the 34 year old limit if I decide to go in to the Naval Reserve? I'm still leaning heavily towards Army Reserve, but I was just curious.

Thanks for your time.

  1. LOL, it depends on how long you've been an RN regards to entering as a 2LT, or 1LT, no matter if your an ADN, or BSN nurse. Not likely an RN ever enters USAR higher than CPT.
  2. BSN is required to be eligible for MAJ, however completing RN-BSN alone will not be an automatic promotion to MAJ. I entered USAR ANC in 2003 w/ADN, then completed RN-BSN program the following year. In a couple of weeks I will take the oath of office [direct commission], again, this time for Active Component and report for active duty on April 3rd to Madigan Army Medical Center.
  3. Yes, active duty time counts towards retirement points in the USAR. Be advised, you will need to ensure your Units S-1 shop initiates the info to the proper channels.
  4. Navy?

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Hi Corvette Guy,

Thanks for the info. I didn't understand #4. Are you saying no or yes to this? Thanks.

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
Hi Corvette Guy,

Thanks for the info. I didn't understand #4. Are you saying no or yes to this? Thanks.

Being a Marine Vet [1980-1988], and presently an Army Nurse Corps Officer I cannot give any info to #4 regards to Navy Regs.

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FYI, the following information is an excerpt from the Feb 06 issue of the Army Nurse Corps newsletter regarding funding for the ADN-BSN program. Hope it inspires you to go for it.

All Reserve Component Army Nurses, except Active Guard and Reserve (AGR), who do not currently possess a Bachelor of Science in

Nursing (BSN) Degree and meet the criteria below, should apply for the Specialized Training and Assistance Program (STRAP) monthly

stipend of $1,279, adjusted annually. Effective immediately, the BSN-STRAP stipend is available for eligible Army Reserve and National

Guard Nurses for up to a maximum of two (2) years. The BSN-STRAP initiative is one tool in a larger endeavor that is designed to

stimulate personal and professional growth, and to establish a viable future force of nurses. BSN-STRAP is intended to supplement other

financial programs that may be available to qualified officers completing a BSN, such as:

1. Tuition Assistance

2. Montgomery GI Bill

3. Health Professions Loan Repayment (HPLR)

In addition to current STRAP guidelines and policies, you must be able to:

1. Complete your degree program within twenty-four (24) months of signing the STRAP agreement and prior to the convening date

of your selection board to the rank of Major.

2. Continuously earn at least 50 percent of the credit hours required for full-time student status at their educational institution and

maintain a grade point average of at least 2.00 on a scale of 1.0 – 4.0, and/or obtain a letter grade of “C” in all their courses.

3. Have completed the AMEDD Officer Basic Course (OBC) prior to the submission of your application if assigned to a Troop

Program Unit (TPU), Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA), or Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) position.

_____________________________________________

Good luck,

Z

Hello! This is an excellent topic. We have some nurses in our unit (Army National Guard) who are trying to apply for STRAP and I want to give them as much information as I can. Does anyone know if a nurse can get STRAP if they're taking online courses to complete their BSN? In other words, they have their AN and now they want to go through University of Phoenix online for their BSN. Still eligible for STRAP?

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