Is it possible to become a RN but work part time from the start. Get Air Force commission?

Camo-angel · May 9, 2015

So you're asking if you could get your associates, but only work part time as a nurse or not at all until retiring and getting a bachelors? That seems like a waste of the associates, because you wouldn't be adequately using your skills, and wouldn't be gaining experience. Sure, anything's possible. As one person said, nurses can work full time, part time, or per diem but it would look odd to have an associates in nursing and not use it very much. Part time would be better than nothing, but most nursing bachelor programs aren't looking at experience if you're concerned about that. In general, bachelor nursing programs look at your GPA and TEAS score, that's it unless it's a bridge program where you just have to be a nurse in some fashion (LPN/RN, etc).

Even though your thoughts on the military are on the back burner, I still want to say that if you get your associates in nursing, but don't use it, then get your bachelors, it will look very odd to the military board. They look at everything about you, so yes they will see your law enforcement job, but they need nurses first and foremost. Reading old posts about the military boards, one person was not selected who felt it was related to the fact that she had her nursing license but didn't start working until some 9 months later. Final note, by the time you retire from your current job, get a bachelors, and apply for the military you may very well be too old. Yes, things can change, however most of the people who get waivers for their age get them because they have a specialty field OR they had prior military service years that allows the max age to increase. So in closing, who knows what will happen in 15 years. It's hard to predict anything, let alone what the military will be doing!!

jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA · May 10, 2015

I think you should start by asking yourself why do you want to be a nurse. It sounds like you haven't sunk to much time into law enforcement. Why do you want to leave your cop job? Why not leave it completely when you graduate? Why stay in a job you don't like for 15 years just for a pension?

If you like being a cop but want to join the military, why not do AFOSI or NCIS? If you want to be a military nurse, finish the ADN/ASN and work as a nurse full-time (while earning your BSN online part-time); join the military when you get the BSN.

The military pension and benefits are a hell-of-a-lot better than any state pension. You can always double-dip after you've done your 20 years in the military too.

jeckrn, BSN, RN · May 10, 2015

From what I understand what you are asking is, can you joined the AF with your ADN and work part time for them while you complete your BSN. If that is what you are asking the answer is no. If you go on active duty it is full time work, they can even tell you that you can not work another position in the community or limit your hours. The other reason is you need to have your BSN to become a nurse in the AF either active or reserves.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · May 13, 2015

OP, this was moved to the forum it's in because even if you don't realize it...you ARE asking about military nursing, and that's what people have been responding to.

I have to say that your plan lays out a new career as though it will be something you will absolutely want to pursue....but not for about 18 years. This doesn't read to me like someone who wants to be a nurse, but wants to find a job that will pay off in another retirement (or another career that 'works' with your first one). Honestly....doesn't read like a success story to me. Those who succeed in nursing really WANT to be nurses, and right then when they are doing it. Your plan to purposely wait 18 years and work as a nurse SOLELY because it will net you a commission doesn't look so good to me. I doubt it would look good to the military hiring board, either.

I'm reading the opening post a little differently than some others....it looks to me like you wants to obtain an ADN at age 45, work MAYBE part-time as a nurse while continuing the law-enforcement job (or maybe not work as a nurse at all). Then the plan would be to get a BSN somewhere between age 45 and 47.....and then BANG: get a military commission. Is this about right?

If this is where you're going, OP, I have to say it's a little far-fetched. You DID ask, so....no, I don't think this is a solid plan.

Why? Well, since no one can predict what the competition will be like in 12-15 years for placement in a nursing program, no one can tell you whether it will take you the typical 3 or so years to obtain an ADN or longer. Or less. So if you're not yet thirty but are planning to HAVE the degree (and presumably license) at exactly age 45, you're not going to be able to realize how on or off target you are until you are, say....40. Certainly not now.

Moving off of that, let's say you do become an RN with an ADN at age 45. If you do not work as a nurse, you may or may not find placement in a BSN program. Again, we're doing a lot of Crystal Ball work here, because at THIS moment in time it's pretty common for BSN completion programs to require one to be a working nurse at the time one enters the program. NOT always, this is true, but....who knows what the school requirements are going to be in 2030-2032? Kinda reaching to play guesswork now, isn't it?

And after ALL that...if everything falls into place perfectly in the admissions/completion of programs timelines...a HUGE "if"....if the competition for military nursing in 2033 is anything like it is now, you simply won't be a desirable candidate. 47-48 years old with NO nursing experience, or at BEST part-time work for a matter of months in between programs? You most certainly won't be the strongest candidate, as you will be competing with younger, ACTIVELY working RNs who also (in many instances, especially as time marches onward) have military experience behind them.

Unless a LOT changes in the climate of nursing graduates, employment and military opportunities...you should probably re-think this plan.

Chadmasters, BSN · Jun 10, 2015

It's okay. My questions ultimately got answered. I do have another question that I'm currently asking that I would like moved to the Military section if possible!

Chadmasters, BSN · Jun 10, 2015

So you're asking if you could get your associates, but only work part time as a nurse or not at all until retiring and getting a bachelors? That seems like a waste of the associates, because you wouldn't be adequately using your skills, and wouldn't be gaining experience. Sure, anything's possible. As one person said, nurses can work full time, part time, or per diem but it would look odd to have an associates in nursing and not use it very much. Part time would be better than nothing, but most nursing bachelor programs aren't looking at experience if you're concerned about that. In general, bachelor nursing programs look at your GPA and TEAS score, that's it unless it's a bridge program where you just have to be a nurse in some fashion (LPN/RN, etc).
Even though your thoughts on the military are on the back burner, I still want to say that if you get your associates in nursing, but don't use it, then get your bachelors, it will look very odd to the military board. They look at everything about you, so yes they will see your law enforcement job, but they need nurses first and foremost. Reading old posts about the military boards, one person was not selected who felt it was related to the fact that she had her nursing license but didn't start working until some 9 months later. Final note, by the time you retire from your current job, get a bachelors, and apply for the military you may very well be too old. Yes, things can change, however most of the people who get waivers for their age get them because they have a specialty field OR they had prior military service years that allows the max age to increase. So in closing, who knows what will happen in 15 years. It's hard to predict anything, let alone what the military will be doing!!

Thanks for the reply. At the Age of 48 I will have had 30 years of experience in the National Guard. I value your insight though.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jun 10, 2015

It's okay. My questions ultimately got answered. I do have another question that I'm currently asking that I would like moved to the Military section if possible!

It's already in the military section. :)

Chadmasters, BSN · Jun 10, 2015

Thanks for your insight. I have decided to start nursing school in 2016 and resign my current job when I get m Associates RN. I then plan on getting work experience as a Nurse while working on my BSN and going Active Air Force. I just hope that by 2020 the military climate is favorable for new nurses!