Joining the army to obtain my RN or BSN??

just_cause, BSN, RN · Sep 25, 2008

xstalk, there IS a program for enlisted soldiers to apply and then work towards a BSN through the Army....

HOWEVER, there are stipulations... it takes time to be eligible.... chances of being accepted.. etc etc.

I would recommend looking at options to get a BSN and then perhaps the student loan repayments options which are available....

This isn't a bad time to be a nurse as a civilian either so - at that point you still retain flexibility on what you can choose

Oh yeah - rotc is another option.

xstalkrx · Sep 25, 2008

So I can't select RN or BSN as a MOS?

I have to enlist first?

What would I enlist as?

Gah....

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Sep 25, 2008

You would have to enlist first.

And remember, sometimes they, you know, deploy you. And people shoot at you and stuff.

just_cause, BSN, RN · Sep 26, 2008

xstalk,

I recommend you continue doing reading and such prior to talking to a recruiter - that way you are aware of what is available now, prior to degree and later, after degree - and thus not overwhelmed when presented material.

The health jobs in the army are all shown on the web page:

http://www.goarmy.com/JobCatDetail.do?id=9

That being said an RN is an officer.... there are health care jobs available for enlisted soldiers, where you will be provided training, as a health care specialist and assistant etc (see link above).

However, If you want to be a nurse you need to get a degree.

Yes you can get it in the ARMY - if you meet requirements, minimal time on the job, yada yada yada...

You would be well off, if you have the capability, to get into a BSN program on your own. At that point you can either finish the degree and join the army - perhaps with a bonus OR you can join ROTC to have financial assistance and create an obligation of service with the army OR you can join the STRAP program and gain some cash while creating an obligation with the Army.

The scenario that will not work is enlisted to become a nurse...

There is an enlisted to nurse scholarship program available - but why waste time and take a chance if you can do it on your own.

Keep reading, check out this forum more and become more familiar with goarmy.com and understanding the differences between having a degree vs not having the options available...

If you have specific questions - shoot :)

good luck!~!

xstalkrx · Sep 26, 2008

xstalk,
The scenario that will not work is enlisted to become a nurse...
There is an enlisted to nurse scholarship program available - but why waste time and take a chance if you can do it on your own.
quote]
I would rather be in the army and have them send me off some place because I am tired of living at home.
I can easily enter into the nursing program here close to my house but I'm 22 and still live at home. That's part of it. I want a change.
My friend scored a near perfect score on the meps and got into linguistics. I will score the same as him so all of the jobs would be open to me...but nursing is really what I want to do.

just_cause, BSN, RN · Sep 26, 2008

Ok, you could choose to find a nursing program away from home. Or attend the school and not live at home.... or join the Army.. all are valid options - just evaluate and weight them all so you can make an informed option.

I was in the army for a day or two... I'd recommend that you attend college and then enter as a nurse.

Otherwise - it's likely you will enter as a health care specialist..may become a nurse - stuff gets in the way of life and dreams and things change

xstalkrx · Sep 26, 2008

Ok, you could choose to find a nursing program away from home. Or attend the school and not live at home.... or join the Army.. all are valid options - just evaluate and weight them all so you can make an informed option.
I was in the army for a day or two... I'd recommend that you attend college and then enter as a nurse.
Otherwise - it's likely you will enter as a health care specialist..may become a nurse - stuff gets in the way of life and dreams and things change

Call me crazy but I'd like to do boot camp and all.

just_cause, BSN, RN · Sep 26, 2008

Call me crazy but I'd like to do boot camp and all.

Ok - Good luck on your 'route to becoming an RN'. I was just responding to your initial inquiries and your goal of becoming a nurse.

:yeah:

dreamon · Oct 15, 2008

I've always wondered how many soldiers signed up because they wanted a ticket away from their hometown. Don't get me wrong, I'm not putting anyones decisions down- it was just something I think about.

Xstalkrx, (or anyone who is lurking and curious about doing the same) if you are still on here my advice is to get your degree first then enlist. The military and its needs are not going anywhere! Going to school while being a soldier isn't as easy as it sounds. I've had friends who pulled it off and quite a few who couldn't. You have to submit paperwork to your commander for permission everytime you want to take a class. There is no guarantee you will get a go-ahead. Take it from someone who knows.

Move to a different state or different city, work on your education then go down to the recruiter office to sign up with whatever bonus that tickles your fancy. Good luck.

dorkalicious · Oct 17, 2008

So I can't select RN or BSN as a MOS?
I have to enlist first?
What would I enlist as?
Gah....

I am a prior service Army Medic and my husband is still serving as a soldier.

Going to school while being enlisted is not as easy as recruiters make it sound. It all depends on your chain of command (in the civilian world that would be your "boss") Its completely up to them whether you may or may not attend classes in order to meet the pre-reqs needed for the RN program the Army offers, not to mention the handful of years you will have to add onto your military contract for their funding.

No, unfortuntely you may NOT enlist in the Army with a "nurse training" MOS. The closest you will get is a 68W or a 68W-M6, in other words, a combat medic, which is what I was, or a LPN.

Applying to the RN program requires that you have served a minimum time as a soldier first before they allow you to begin applying for things that will cost the Army money to pay for your schooling.

What I always suggest to anyone is that they go to college FIRST and then join as a commissioned officer. This allows for college loan repayment options that are not offered as much to the enlisted side.

I had children and got out of the service and currently pursuing my nursing degree on my own, whereas my husband is taking advantage of the Army's schools and will be doing the PA progam through the Army next year. So I am offering views from both ends of the spectrum here.

If you have the means and the ability to do college on your own, do it. Also there are also lots of ROTC programs that will be happy to pay for your education and then you owe them back 4-8 years of a service contract too.

just don't be hasty with your decision and do not completely believe everything a recruiter tells you. I have seen too many folks get disappointed and frustrated because their recruiters sugarcoated the truth and now they are stuck in 4 year commitments to the Army and are unable to attend college like they thought they could.

:typing

futrarmyCRNA · Dec 4, 2008

I think you hit the nail on the head. I did it the hard way, enlisted optometry tech 91Y, LPN 91C/68W, ASN-RN 66H, then BSN. I had to do that way because of cost and having a family. But if you are single and RN in the army is your goal, then get your BSN first, then get your direct commission. It saves you time and money in the long run and you won't be an old man (41) like me going back on active duty for the first time in 12 years as a 1LT.