LVN to military nursing

lindarn · Mar 25, 2009

Hey all!
This is my 1st post so bare with me. I've been a LVN for 6 years. I'm currently on a waiting list for the RN program (2 year wait). I work home health, urgent care, and do intermittent visits NOW. I am a work-a-holic! I enjoy it though...money is good and I can always make more or work less if I choose to.
I spoke with a naval recruiter yesterday and he said there were no openings in nursing!!! I also spoke with an Army recruiter and he said the ARMY does have nursing opportunities. I don't have an associate's degree but I am interested in military nursing. Can I go in as a LVN and work my way up to RN in military? Has anyone done this and if so what steps did you take? I want to do it for experience and not money. I hear I may be taking a 30% pay cut but I want to be the best RN I can be.

LPN/LVNs go in the military as enlisted, as do Respiratory Therapists, X-Ray Techs, and ADN/Diploma RNs. Have you considered going into the Reserves in any of the services, Army, Navy, Air Force, etc.? That way your pay would be IN ADDITION, to what you make in your civilian job, instead of taking a 30% pay cut, you would have a pay increase with your reserve pay. Talk to a Health Care recruiter. That is your best bet.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

GilaRRT · Mar 25, 2009

LPN/LVNs go in the military as enlisted, as do Respiratory Therapists, X-Ray Techs, and ADN/Diploma RNs. Have you considered going into the Reserves in any of the services, Army, Navy, Air Force, etc.? That way your pay would be IN ADDITION, to what you make in your civilian job, instead of taking a 30% pay cut, you would have a pay increase with your reserve pay. Talk to a Health Care recruiter. That is your best bet.
Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN
Spokane, Washington

Actually, the Army National Guard will take AD nurses who graduated from a NLN accredited program as officers. However, you can only advance to O3 without a four year degree, so, in essence you are forced to complete your BSN. However, it is an option for AD nurses.

The Army does have LVN's; however, as Lindarn stated, this is an enlisted position. In fact, it is an extension of the entry level provider known as a health care specialist 68W. Typically, the 68W will complete the LVN course and receive what is called an additional skill identifier (ASI). For the LVN, it is called M6. So, the Army LVN would be considered a 68W-M6.

The LVN program is competative and quite intense from what I hear and all M6's I have known were NCO's. However, I am unsure if a civilian educated LVN/LPN can jump straight into a LPN slot. Army basic training and AIT (Advanced Individual Training, typically, the 16 week 68W course), provide the soldier with essential knowledge and skills. In addition, military medicine is quite different from the civilian world, and I do not see a civilian transitioning directly into that role without completing basic training and AIT. This could take around 6 months.

BRONXBOUND · Mar 25, 2009

This was great information, I too at one time was interested in a military nursing career!

vn gal · Mar 25, 2009

Thank you much for your replys :nurse:

What is AD nurse??

vn gal · Mar 25, 2009

What is an AD nurse?

LesMonsterRN, ADN, RN · Mar 25, 2009

AD=Associate Degree

vn gal · Mar 25, 2009

thank you much!

caliotter3 · Mar 25, 2009

Unless you would be chosen for some type of special education program you can not "work" your way from being an enlisted LVN to officer RN. In my day, people who already were LVN/LPNs could enter at a higher rank, E5, when the policy was in effect. There were also incentive programs to help people obtain their nursing education. For example, you would enlist and receive the pay of E3 while in your final two years of a college BSN program, and then get commissioned upon graduation and obtaining the license. The money you received while attending school did not have to be paid back unless you changed your mind about accepting the commission. You might want to talk to health care recruiters for each of the services to see if any such programs exist today.

Prettyladie · Mar 25, 2009

this may be a "dumb" question. but in order to be a nurse in the military, do you have to actually enlist. meaning that they will be able to call you to combat and go to war? or can you just strictly be a nurse and thats it.

rockytopRN2b · Mar 25, 2009

this may be a "dumb" question. but in order to be a nurse in the military, do you have to actually enlist. meaning that they will be able to call you to combat and go to war? or can you just strictly be a nurse and thats it.

You have to enlist. An Army LPN is an extension of your basic 68W combat medic, which is a highly deployable occupational specialty. 68W's (medics) go in with the ground troops. 68W-M6's (LPN's) are more likely to be in a hospital setting, but that doesn't mean you won't deploy or be in danger. There are field hospitals in the war theater.

As a female, you are not supposed to be involved in a direct combat setting, but with the way our wars are fought these days, that 'rule' doesn't mean much. There are many women directly involved in dangerous situations, and that includes nurses.

Bottom line: the military has some great benefits, but they come with a price tag. Only consider enlisting if you're willing to go to war.

Prettyladie · Mar 25, 2009

oh no no no no. thanks so much. not that going to war or the military is bad. my dad fought in vietnam so there is no problem with anything military. i just dont want to do that. thanks again. and good luck to all of you who are going this route.