Just a few basic questions...

[Kiringat]

Hi all,

Long story short, I'm 28, I have been working as an RN (Acute Care) for about 2.5 years now, and just completed my BSN in December. It has always been in the back of my mind to look into military nursing once my BSN was complete, and I am giving it some serious thought now. I did my ADN Capstone at a VA hospital, and was impressed with a culture dedicated to something beyond making a profit.

I am looking at either the Army or Navy Active Duty, and would like just a general idea of the best way of getting the ball rolling.

My biggest question is how doing an ADN-BSN track will be received. Will it hurt me that I got my ADN, and have worked as one 99% of my career before earning the BSN? Or is a BSN pretty much a BSN?

Secondly, I know I need to talk to a Healthcare recruiter. Besides the obvious, like a resume, transcripts, etc, what other documents are good to have handy?

Assuming I can wrangle all the paperwork, and my Recruiter stays on top of things, how long might the application/selection process take? Is there really such a massive glut of applicants to go through?

Thanks!

[just_cause, BSN, RN]

BSN = BSN, shouldn't be a problem.

The biggest things to keep in mind is that it is very competitive, this year they only had one board - in October, the beginning of the fiscal year. So depending on when you graduate I would plan on having that OCT as the goal.. you can be selected up to one year prior to BSN graduation but they also like to have those who are ready to 'ship' upon selection.

Other biggest factors would be to identify 3 people who can provide letters of recommendation. Ideally your nursing supervisor, a professor and then another supervisor, or professor or perhaps a nurse officer active or prior that you know... then you want to get the template for the security clearance so you can build your packet (this is time consuming). The physical is good for 2 years prior to the time of commissioning. I would recommend contacting the health care recruiter after you know which 'OCT' is for you.. establish that as your goal to have packet ready and that you understand its a long way away but would like the general packet so you can get your ducks in a row and perhaps (depending on your timeline) schedule a physical and to meet with them in person and then basically establish a rough timeline and checklist of what you need to do. I would caveat by telling them you know your timeline is a long way out and after getting the security template / packet and general timeline that you can work with them at a time that is conveniant for them.. oh yeah I'd knock out the physical early as well.

Best of luck.

(lastly you just need to check with them on the accrediting agency for your BSN program~)