joining the military with an ADN/ASN

Specialties Government

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Hey, everyone. I am 22 years old and graduating this year with my ADN/ASN. I have had an interest in joining the military after finishing my associates degree in nursing. I know that to practice as an RN in the military you need a BSN but I was wondering if there was a way to be in the military while completing my BSN. What options would I have when entering the service with just an ADN? Does having a ADN affect my enlistment choices of MOS? what MOS would be the best choice if I wish to get my BSN while serving?

There are many, many threads on this under government/military nursing under specialties.

Short story, unless you just want to be in the service and you don't care what you're doing, don't enlist while you're trying to complete your BSN.

1. Deployment will probably interfere with you completing your degree.

2. Even if you do complete your degree, you have absolutely no guarantee of even being able to commission after getting your BSN. There are many enlistees who have their bachelors/masters degrees and cannot get commissioned. It's way too competitive to take that chance.

3. You have no guarantee of MOS regardless of your ADN. You will be slotted where your respective service needs you, whether that's in the motor pool or in the infantry.

Please read around this page for more information on how competitive the services are right now. Even after you have your BSN, you will need a few years of experience--likely in a specialty--to be competitive for entry.

Government / Military Nursing

Specializes in ER.

I think the Navy has a program where you can apply while completing a BSN degree. It has to be CCNE accredited though.

Thanks for a great response. so, in general my adn would have no effect on my MOS placement? I guess I will just have to get my bachelor's first and maybe hope to try for commission later when I have more experience. I really do want to be a nurse in the military though so the competitive scene is kind of what I live for.

What exactly is this program in the navy? I am really wanting the military to pay for my bsn expenses. I am kinda broke.

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
What exactly is this program in the navy? I am really wanting the military to pay for my bsn expenses. I am kinda broke.

The military/government is broke, too. Are you eligible for student loans? Anything military is ridiculously competitive right now. The Navy does have the NCP program, there is a large thread here: https://allnurses.com/government-military-nursing/navy-ncp-fy2015-879433.html

I know the Reserves used to only require an ADN, but that may have changed. You could be commissioned through the Reserves while working on your BSN and then transfer to active duty. Keep in mind though, it is difficult to get into active duty once you are considered "prior service" now, which you would be if you join the Reserves first. HTH

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
I know the Reserves used to only require an ADN, but that may have changed.

It has changed. BSN is required for the Reserves now, too. The only branch currently accepting ADNs is the National Guard, but they must be actively pursuing a BSN.

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