looking into Army/Navy nursing and would love advice, info, etc!!

jeckrn, BSN, RN · May 28, 2012

1. army vs. navy you need to speak with a health care recruiter from each service to see which one is the best fit for you. they both have pluses and misses.

2. money, loan repayment, etc...not just in the first years but like 5 years in. most of the loan repayments etc. are paid over 3 years. as far as base pay go to dfas to look up the pay charts since they are the same for all services. after 5 years you should be an o-3. what you recieve for housing will depend on where you are stationed and your rank.

3. what the nursing is like? what you see, what a normal day to day is, etc? also varies depending where you are stationed, some hospitals in the army are small and not very fast based and others are large and the trauma center for the city.

4. opportunities for advancement, further education? advancement for both are about the same, just over 3 years before you become and o-3. both services offer programs to get your masters degree.

5. what basic is like? i am slightly overweight and havent worked out in like 2 years....many of you know the night shift life! i am athletic (or was back in the day atleast) so know if i put my mind to it i could get in shape without problem. like going to college full time, you will have pt several times a week and you will be off once your day ends.

6. anything else you may have to share the process to join is long, on average it takes about 1 year from the time you first talk with a recruiter til you leave for officer basic school no matter what service. with the drawdowns you need to be as compative as you can be. try to get your certification as a ccrn before your package goes to the board for review. each service selects differently and the recruiters will be able to describe how each works.

lumbarpain, ADN, RN · May 28, 2012

Years ago when I was your age I had wanted to become a Air Force Flight nurse.....I went to Mcquire air Force base for my physical. I passed it but they didnt want me BECAUSE I had had a surgery in the 1970s and was still taking medication for endometriosis. I came home highly annoyed and discouraged. But maybe it was a good thing who knows. God just didnt want me in that line of work. I would go for it while you can. I know things have changed drastically since 911 occurred, but it nice to know that you automatically become a lietenant when you enlist. At least thats what the Air Force at the time said to me. Instant RANK!!!! not too shabby. Good luck with your decision.

rndiver82 · May 29, 2012

Having your Bachelors in psychology is wonderful, but if you're wanting to go into any branch of the military as a nurse, you must have your Bachelors degree in Nursing. I don't think they will accept it in another field. It will definitely work in your favor to have a second degree, but it won't help you right now. I would talk to a health care professional recruiter as soon as you could to make sure, and start working towards your BSN as soon as possible if you are still wanting to go into the service.

jeckrn, BSN, RN · May 29, 2012

rndiver has it right you have to have a BSN inorder to recieve your commission. Once you are within 12 months of graduation you can start the process to get your commission.

Gonavy · Jun 5, 2012

I would highly recommend giving the military a try. I've spent 17 years as a Navy Nurse Corps officer both active duty and reserves. I love it.

On another note, only the Navy requires a Bachelors degree. Army will commission you with an associates. At least they used to just a few years ago. Not sure about the Air Force.

lindarn · Jun 5, 2012

The Air Force will now only commission a nurse who has a BSN or a MSN. They will no longer commission an ADN with a Bachelors Degree in another field. This is something that has recently come about.

I am in the AF Reserves, and at my reserve weekend this past weekend, this new policy was anounced.

There is a nurse in my reserve squadron who is a critical care nurse with an ADN. She had to go in to the AF as enlisted, because she did not have a BSN. She is working on her BSN,but got married. and now has a baby. This of course has complicated her attempt to earn her BSN.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

somewhere in the PACNW

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jun 6, 2012

Army will commission you with an associates. At least they used to just a few years ago.

Not true any longer -- BSN is a minimum requirement for Army.

nurse2033, MSN, RN · Jun 6, 2012

Having your Bachelors in psychology is wonderful, but if you're wanting to go into any branch of the military as a nurse, you must have your Bachelors degree in Nursing. I don't think they will accept it in another field. It will definitely work in your favor to have a second degree, but it won't help you right now. I would talk to a health care professional recruiter as soon as you could to make sure, and start working towards your BSN as soon as possible if you are still wanting to go into the service.

They will accept a non-nursing Bachelors, I have one in music. I have since gotten my MSN which will help with promotions but had an ASN when commissioned in the AF.

nurse2033, MSN, RN · Jun 6, 2012

The Air Force will now only commission a nurse who has a BSN or a MSN. They will no longer commission an ADN with a Bachelors Degree in another field. This is something that has recently come about.
I am in the AF Reserves, and at my reserve weekend this past weekend, this new policy was anounced.
There is a nurse in my reserve squadron who is a critical care nurse with an ADN. She had to go in to the AF as enlisted, because she did not have a BSN. She is working on her BSN,but got married. and now has a baby. This of course has complicated her attempt to earn her BSN.
Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN
somewhere in the PACNW

I didn't hear about this, glad I made it under the wire.