Military Nurse Careers

CHATSDALE · Jun 5, 2008

i believe that age limits have been raised but i don't know the new cap

if you want to join you might talk to a recruiter now you may be able to join the army or the rotc

i don't know about them acknowledging the degree in another field. i was making a guess i would believe that you probably wouldn't be able to work as a nurse w/o bs

male nurses are valued in armed services as they are everywhere

i wish i could be ov more help but check with a recruiter or the with the college you will be entering

finally welcome to ALL NURSES

Jarnaes · Jun 5, 2008

I believe the US Army Reserves will take you with a ADN, but they want you to get the BSN ASAP. On the active duty side , the BSN in the minimum.

If you decide to speak with a recruiter, make sure you speak with a military health care recruiter. Do not just speak with any recruiter, you need the medical professions specialist. Here is the online link for info: http://www.goarmy.com/amedd/index.jsp

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Jun 5, 2008

The age cap for enlisted is 42.

Nurses-46 :) You will be well under the age limit.

Talk to a recruiter for the most accurate information but be prepared that the recruiter just might not know.

As I understand it, the Army reserves accepts the ADN. All other branches of the military want the BSN because you will be an officer and they usually have a college degree, but I know you said you already have one. So really the recruiter would be your best bet. If you can't get the answers you are looking for, look for another recruiter because they are not all knowing.

Also, I think there is a military nursing forum here; you might want to try posting your question there. :)

allnurses Guide · Jun 5, 2008

Hello everyone,
I am new to this forum and very new to nursing. In September, I will begin a two year ADN program in Washington state. I have a BA in English Lit and am interested in possibly pursuing a career in the Navy or Air Force as a Nurse. My long term goal is to become an NP or CRNA and I want to know if these sub-specialties are valued in the armed services?
Also, I have read that I must have a BSN to be commissioned a nurse in the military. Is this a hard and fast rule or do they allow exceptions for those of us with a bachelor's degree that is not healthcare related? Would I be better served to do a one year RN to BSN program and then join or do an RN to MSN program and join?
My biggest concern is that I will be 40 by the time I take the NCLEX and I've gotten different information on whether or not I will have hit the age ceiling for active duty entrance. Plus, if I need to have my BSN or MSN degree to join, will the military "repay" the cost of that degree?
A few final questions---how difficult is Officer Candidate Training (5 week course) in terms of physical demands and once active duty, do you have to live on base or can you live somewhat nearby in your own house? Also, what are promotional opportunities like in the services--frequency, difficulty, ceiling for someone in nursing?
Finally, are male nurses valued or ridiculed by other military healthcare professionals?
Thanks for any information you can provide!
Doug

Check out the military forum! You will find a lot of old posts that will be helpful.

There won't be any problem joining the military in your 40's. The issue with age is retirement. You will need to have 20yrs in by the time you are 62/63 y/o (mandatory retirment age) to be able to retire from the military.

The military has the highest percentage of male nurses anywhere. We have approximately 40% male nurses in the military with even higher percentages in critical care area. I have mainly worked ER and ICU since being in the USAF and female nurses are usually the minority in those areas.

It would be best to get your BSN and then join. Your time as an ADN/RN will count as half credit towards rank if you join the AF or Army.

FNP and CRNA are both highly valued in the military. Promotion wise I would say that the Army and Navy values APNs more than the AF. The Army's (I believe) last 3 Chief Army Nurses have all been CRNAs, and the Army has had the only male Chief Military Nurse so far.

You do not have to live on base as an officer unless you become commander of the hospital/base etc. You will receive tax free housing allowance to live off base. The housing allowance depends on you zip code. Medical Officer Training/COT is nothing to worry about. It is not basic training or what line officers have to endure.

Promotional opportunities: In general you will start out as an O-1 (unless you join USPHS then you would start out as an O-2 and depending on how much RN experience you have before joining), two years later you would make O-2, and then two yrs later make O-3. After that each branch is pretty individualized. Technically as a nurse in the military you can make it up to an O-8/Major General. As a rule of thumb most nurses retire as an O-5.

Here is the 2008 pay chart for the military. http://www.dfas.mil/militarypay/militarypaytables/2008MilitaryPayCharts35.pdf This is your only taxable income, then you have to add your housing allowance BAH, and BAS. As an O-3 with 6yrs active duty time living in the DC area I make about 80,000 a yr.

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Jun 5, 2008

Check out http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/Joining_the_United_States_Military.htm

I was looking at the Navy website recently and I believe their ceiling in in the mid-30's, but it can't hurt to talk to a recruiter with your questions.

allnurses Guide · Jun 5, 2008

Check out http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/Joining_the_United_States_Military.htm
I was looking at the Navy website recently and I believe their ceiling in in the mid-30's, but it can't hurt to talk to a recruiter with your questions.

You can get a waiver for about anything to be a nurse in the military(including age waivers), and if you are a physician I think you can get a waiver for anything...lol.

Just make sure that you talk to a healthcare recruiter for officers not an enlisted recruiter!