so many questions about military after BSN

PrettyGSXR600 · Nov 18, 2005

Wow, you sound identical to me! I'm 19 and finishing up my pre-req's (I have one more semester after this one) and I have too have a 4.0 GPA. Rock on! :) I am also interested in the military nursing, however, I am more interested in the Army, mainly because I know how it works. USAF sounds awesome, especially with the salary difference between the AF and the Army, however, it is much more harder to get into (so I have heard). I just don't really want to feel that I am getting into something over my head. It might be perfect for me, but why not start where it is more obtainable as far as goals go. I am not sure what BDCP is. If I were you I would call a recruiter and ask him about the calculus requirement. Make sure you go to an intelligent recruiter. I went to one today and he was a total idiot, giving me ambiguous information. Then again, I don't think he was there to recruit people, but just to have a sham job. Who knows. Anyway, I think it's really cool that we are very similar. I see you're from Port Orange. That is only about 15 minutes south of me. I am from Daytona Beach, but stationed at Ft. Lewis right now. What high school did you go to? As far as bases go to suggest, do NOT go to the NW region. Stick with the south, PLEASE! lol For your sake, since you are from Kansas, definitely stick with the south or even the southwest. I've been to Benning (GA), Huachuca (AZ), and Lewis (WA) and by far the best one was Huachuca (Benning was awesome too, but Huachuca is much more quiet). These are all Army bases of course, but still. Just a suggestion. Since I was born and raised in the south, I do not care for any other region. Finally, by April of next year, I may be back on the east coast at Ft. Meade, MD. Let's hope for the best! If you need anything or have any questions, I will do my best to answer them, although I probably know just about as much as you do! :)

allnurses Guide · Nov 19, 2005

Ok.......so many misconceptions about the military....lol...

1. There is no difference in military pay. Military pay is military pay no matter if you're Army, Navy, AirForce etc....

2. Health Professions Scholarship Program is extremely competitive for nurses in the AirForce. I wouldn't rule out ROTC.

3. If you are interested in midwifery I would strongly consider the Army. The Army has a long history w/ midwives where the Airforce, I think, has them, but they are few and far between. (Sorry, I don't know a lot about the Navy) I have been in the AirForce 4 yrs at two major bases and have not seen or heard of a midwife in the AirForce.

4. For me the biggest consideration would probably be longterm professional goals i.e. if you want midwifery probably the Army is the best choice, quality of life ( AirForce and Navy are usually considered more friendly to their troops), and lastly but a big one length of deployment.....right now AirForce is 4mo-6mo(usually 4mo)...Navy is 6mo...and Army is 1yr...

5. All of the services have a little something different to offer, but it is not pay or bonuses. You should try this approach....what kind of nursing do want to do after you graduate...in 5 yrs...and 10yrs....now see which service will help you most w/ those goals. The military is going to use you to the best of their interests and you should use the military to achieve your goals while going along for the ride.

Good Luck!

Corvette Guy · Nov 19, 2005

Ok.......so many misconceptions about the military....lol...
1. There is no difference in military pay. Military pay is military pay no matter if you're Army, Navy, AirForce etc....
2. Health Professions Scholarship Program is extremely competitive for nurses in the AirForce. I wouldn't rule out ROTC.
3. If you are interested in midwifery I would strongly consider the Army. The Army has a long history w/ midwives where the Airforce, I think, has them, but they are few and far between. (Sorry, I don't know a lot about the Navy) I have been in the AirForce 4 yrs at two major bases and have not seen or heard of a midwife in the AirForce.
4. For me the biggest consideration would probably be longterm professional goals i.e. if you want midwifery probably the Army is the best choice, quality of life ( AirForce and Navy are usually considered more friendly to their troops), and lastly but a big one length of deployment.....right now AirForce is 4mo-6mo(usually 4mo)...Navy is 6mo...and Army is 1yr...
5. All of the services have a little something different to offer, but it is not pay or bonuses. You should try this approach....what kind of nursing do want to do after you graduate...in 5 yrs...and 10yrs....now see which service will help you most w/ those goals. The military is going to use you to the best of their interests and you should use the military to achieve your goals while going along for the ride.
Good Luck!

Excellent reply! BTW, in the USAR a Soldier can be mobilized for up to 18 months. However, I do know [w/o details] the USAR is changing the way deployments are done, i.e. length, advance notice, etc.

Corvette Guy · Nov 19, 2005

Wow, you sound identical to me! I'm 19 and finishing up my pre-req's (I have one more semester after this one) and I have too have a 4.0 GPA. Rock on! :) I am also interested in the military nursing, however, I am more interested in the Army, mainly because I know how it works. USAF sounds awesome, especially with the salary difference between the AF and the Army, however, it is much more harder to get into (so I have heard). I just don't really want to feel that I am getting into something over my head. It might be perfect for me, but why not start where it is more obtainable as far as goals go. I am not sure what BDCP is. If I were you I would call a recruiter and ask him about the calculus requirement. Make sure you go to an intelligent recruiter. I went to one today and he was a total idiot, giving me ambiguous information. Then again, I don't think he was there to recruit people, but just to have a sham job. Who knows. Anyway, I think it's really cool that we are very similar. I see you're from Port Orange. That is only about 15 minutes south of me. I am from Daytona Beach, but stationed at Ft. Lewis right now. What high school did you go to? As far as bases go to suggest, do NOT go to the NW region. Stick with the south, PLEASE! lol For your sake, since you are from Kansas, definitely stick with the south or even the southwest. I've been to Benning (GA), Huachuca (AZ), and Lewis (WA) and by far the best one was Huachuca (Benning was awesome too, but Huachuca is much more quiet). These are all Army bases of course, but still. Just a suggestion. Since I was born and raised in the south, I do not care for any other region. Finally, by April of next year, I may be back on the east coast at Ft. Meade, MD. Let's hope for the best! If you need anything or have any questions, I will do my best to answer them, although I probably know just about as much as you do! :)

I'm from Texas, and live about 65 miles from USAR Unit [5501st USAH, FSH/San Antonio, TX]. This past summer I was at FT Lewis, WA for 3 weeks in support of Operation Warrior Forge. Army ROTC Cadets have there final training at FT Lewis. I was a Team Leader at Okubo Clinic to provide health care to Cadets. A few AC [active duty] Army Nurses were assigned to the clinic that were Army ROTC Cadet graduates. They had excellent things to say about the Army ROTC program where they also earned there BSN [sorry... don't remember the specific BSN programs].

I really enjoyed the perspectives gained from that USAR AT; cared for Cadets in there final phase of training, talked to AC Army Nurses that were former Cadets that had attended Warrior Forge, and my 23 yr old son [a University of Houston Army ROTC Cadet] will attend Warrior Forge next summer.

Questions; When is your EAS? What is your present MOS? IMHO, you might consider attending a BSN program as a civilian that has an Army ROTC program at the same university. You could use your GI Education benefits, along with ROTC scholarships [usually are small, yet helpful] while in a BSN program & Army ROTC program. Another idea, apply for a 91WM6 program now if your present MOS is not critical & you have several years left until your EAS. This way, you could become an LVN/LPN [91WM6] with the Army paying you while your in LVN school, then gain some experience as a nurse in the Army. After your EAS, attend an LVN-BSN bridge program with hopefully an Army ROTC program at the same university.

Good luck!

Cary James Barrett

1LT, AN USAR

USMC Veteran

PrettyGSXR600 · Nov 21, 2005

Heh, Op. Warrior Forge....I remember seeing signs all over the place for it. I think it was on the same road towards the Northwest Adventure Center, but I'm not exactly sure. I know it's on North Fort. Anyway, I'm not in the military - I'm married to it. My husband wants me clear of the Army, and the longer I'm with him, the more I want to join (NOT enlist). I was figuring starting the ROTC/Nursing Program as soon as I can, but it has been difficult when I think my husband will divorce me because of it. I heard about a 66AN as far as RN's go. I'm not exactly sure. I don't know anything about the medical MOS's. My problem is right now, I can't pay for a 4-year degree. I want to come into the Army as an RN/2LT. However, I've heard many different things saying that I can't do both. It's either: 1) The Army pays for college, but you come in the Army as an officer and we'll place you wherever we want, or 2) YOU pay for your own tuition and then you can come into the Army as an RN and not have to go to Basic or OCS; just Meddac OBC. I need both. Do you know what kind of program gives that opportunity? I know I don't plan on staying in the Army as an officer for only four years. It is inevitable that I will stay in for quite a bit until the money doesn't make a difference anymore. I've talked to several recruiters and have heard 10 million different things. If you, or anyone else, can tell me about the programs a little more and what I can do to get into the Army with school paid for and come in as an RN, that'd be awesome!

Corvette Guy · Nov 21, 2005

Heh, Op. Warrior Forge....I remember seeing signs all over the place for it. I think it was on the same road towards the Northwest Adventure Center, but I'm not exactly sure. I know it's on North Fort. Anyway, I'm not in the military - I'm married to it. My husband wants me clear of the Army, and the longer I'm with him, the more I want to join (NOT enlist). I was figuring starting the ROTC/Nursing Program as soon as I can, but it has been difficult when I think my husband will divorce me because of it. I heard about a 66AN as far as RN's go. I'm not exactly sure. I don't know anything about the medical MOS's. My problem is right now, I can't pay for a 4-year degree. I want to come into the Army as an RN/2LT. However, I've heard many different things saying that I can't do both. It's either: 1) The Army pays for college, but you come in the Army as an officer and we'll place you wherever we want, or 2) YOU pay for your own tuition and then you can come into the Army as an RN and not have to go to Basic or OCS; just Meddac OBC. I need both. Do you know what kind of program gives that opportunity? I know I don't plan on staying in the Army as an officer for only four years. It is inevitable that I will stay in for quite a bit until the money doesn't make a difference anymore. I've talked to several recruiters and have heard 10 million different things. If you, or anyone else, can tell me about the programs a little more and what I can do to get into the Army with school paid for and come in as an RN, that'd be awesome!

OMG... you ask alot of questions, LOL. My youngest son is an Army ROTC Cadet at the University of Houston, Texas. He is not a nursing student, however I have met some of his fellow Cadets that are nursing students. This link, Army ROTC Nursing Scholarships is from the U of H Army ROTC site, yet may be good info for you. It is my understanding, you find a four year college with both a BSN program & Army ROTC program. Then, make an appointment with the Army Professor of Military Science (PMS) at the university you have an interest in to find out the steps required for nursing scholarships at that school. When you complete the BSN program, and pass NCLEX for your nursing license you become eligible for direct commission as 2LT into the Army Nurse Corps. You would then be required to complete the AMEDD Officer Basic Course [OBC], which is 2 weeks for reservist & 12 weeks for active duty.

So, my advice would be to talk to an Army Professor of Military Science at your local university with a BSN program. BTW, the only recruiter you should consider seeking advice from is an Army Health Care Recruiter.

Good luck!