military nurse prior service

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Hello,

I am a Filipino who is hoping to migrate to the US soon.

Assuming that I have already obtained US citizenship, if I have prior service as a military nurse in the Philippines, will I be allowed to enlist in the USA (Air Force, Navy or Army) as a military nurse? If I only have a green card, Will I be allowed to join as an enlisted man?

Thank you

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Bit confused. You won't get USC until in the US for 5 years

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Basically, the rules for becomming an OFFICER in the Nurse Corps of the US Military requires that you have US Citizenship AND have a degree from an accredited US University.

For example, you get your BSN in the Philippines and you decide to join the US Navy. You must have a GREEN CARD to join the Navy, but because you do not have a US University Degree, you will be assigned as an ENLISTED Man, more likely a Corpsman, Dental Tech, O R Tech, etc...

Now, what you CAN do to be a nurse in the Navy is to apply for your Masters (MSN) while in the Navy (and you will have your tuition paid for as well by the Navy!!). During your study for Masters (figure 5 years going part time while serving in the military), you will be working on your citizenship as well. Figure 3-5 years of Naval service to get your citizenship, and finally your MSN degree.

After that point in your career, you may petition for Officer Candidate Programs where you can become an Officer in the Nurse Corps with a US Graduate Degree of MSN and your new Citizenship!!

All of the time you spent as an enlisted man in the Navy will count towards your pay (time in service, time in rank) so that you will have a seamless transistion from enlisted to Officer Corps.

This will work for Army, Navy, and US Air Force, and with the Coast Guard, you would become an Officer of the Public Service Corps to serve the Coast Guard. (Same Rank and Pay as the other branches of the service).

Summary:

1st Step, BSN degree

then Green Card

Pass the NLE, NCLEX and BON (Any US State License)

then Enlist in Army, Navy, etc with medical MOS

Apply for MSN program at US University while enlisted

Study for US Citizenship while enlisted

Complete both MSN degree and Citizenship, apply for Officer Candidate with Nurse Corps.

You will find the military service an extraordinary experience in your career as a Nurse, and be treated with the respect and dignity not only as a professional medical staffer, but as an OFFICER as well!

Good Luck!

"the bravest Marines I ever served in combat with were US Navy Corpsmen!!"Sergeant of Marines JD Keller, 1966

Hoss

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical.
Hello,

I am a Filipino who is hoping to migrate to the US soon.

Assuming that I have already obtained US citizenship, if I have prior service as a military nurse in the Philippines, will I be allowed to enlist in the USA (Air Force, Navy or Army) as a military nurse? If I only have a green card, Will I be allowed to join as an enlisted man?

Thank you

Green card holders can join the US service anytime. But to be a military nurse, US citizenship is required. I am not sure on the Natioanal Guard.

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Basically, the rules for becomming an OFFICER in the Nurse Corps of the US Military requires that you have US Citizenship AND have a degree from an accredited US University.

For example, you get your BSN in the Philippines and you decide to join the US Navy. You must have a GREEN CARD to join the Navy, but because you do not have a US University Degree, you will be assigned as an ENLISTED Man, more likely a Corpsman, Dental Tech, O R Tech, etc...

Now, what you CAN do to be a nurse in the Navy is to apply for your Masters (MSN) while in the Navy (and you will have your tuition paid for as well by the Navy!!). During your study for Masters (figure 5 years going part time while serving in the military), you will be working on your citizenship as well. Figure 3-5 years of Naval service to get your citizenship, and finally your MSN degree.

After that point in your career, you may petition for Officer Candidate Programs where you can become an Officer in the Nurse Corps with a US Graduate Degree of MSN and your new Citizenship!!

All of the time you spent as an enlisted man in the Navy will count towards your pay (time in service, time in rank) so that you will have a seamless transistion from enlisted to Officer Corps.

This will work for Army, Navy, and US Air Force, and with the Coast Guard, you would become an Officer of the Public Service Corps to serve the Coast Guard. (Same Rank and Pay as the other branches of the service).

Summary:

1st Step, BSN degree

then Green Card

Pass the NLE, NCLEX and BON (Any US State License)

then Enlist in Army, Navy, etc with medical MOS

Apply for MSN program at US University while enlisted

Study for US Citizenship while enlisted

Complete both MSN degree and Citizenship, apply for Officer Candidate with Nurse Corps.

You will find the military service an extraordinary experience in your career as a Nurse, and be treated with the respect and dignity not only as a professional medical staffer, but as an OFFICER as well!

Good Luck!

"the bravest Marines I ever served in combat with were US Navy Corpsmen!!"Sergeant of Marines JD Keller, 1966

Hoss

Thank you very much for the information.

I have one more question, will I be allowed to enlist in the US armed forces if I have prior service in the Philippine military?

Thank you.

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Again, your major requirement is first a green card (Plus physical standards must be met for fitness of duty)....prior military service may be somewhat helpful, but all major conditions must be met first.

US recruiters appear in the Philippines at various times during the year so you may wish to contact the US Embassy and ask when and where the recruiting visits will be. They can offer you detailed answers when they visit here, or you can go online to your preferred branch of service (Air Force, Marines, Navy, Army, Coast Guard, etc) and they will contact you with more info.

Good luck!!

Hoss

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Again, your major requirement is first a green card (Plus physical standards must be met for fitness of duty)....prior military service may be somewhat helpful, but all major conditions must be met first.

US recruiters appear in the Philippines at various times during the year so you may wish to contact the US Embassy and ask when and where the recruiting visits will be. They can offer you detailed answers when they visit here, or you can go online to your preferred branch of service (Air Force, Marines, Navy, Army, Coast Guard, etc) and they will contact you with more info.

Good luck!!

Hoss

Thank you again, that was very helpful. I did not know that recruiters also visited other countries.

I've already visited the service websites and asked around but I will definitely follow your advice.

Thanks. :)

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Actually the Philippine BS is a recognized degree in the us, You dont even have to pass the NCLEX here in the US if you already have your license in the Philippines. The only requirement you will have to meet is the citizenship, and even that might be questionable. Speak to your OSO and find out. I know this because I am serving with a Philippine RN who is not a citizen. As far as the RN is concerned I know for a fact because I have my LPN and am going to attend school in the philippines for my RN and license.

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Specializes in Pre-hospital Care, Remote medicine.
Again, your major requirement is first a green card (Plus physical standards must be met for fitness of duty)....prior military service may be somewhat helpful, but all major conditions must be met first.

US recruiters appear in the Philippines at various times during the year so you may wish to contact the US Embassy and ask when and where the recruiting visits will be. They can offer you detailed answers when they visit here, or you can go online to your preferred branch of service (Air Force, Marines, Navy, Army, Coast Guard, etc) and they will contact you with more info.

Good luck!!

Hoss

I have a question, can a Filipino citizen apply through recruiters here in the Philippines even without a green card? or help us in acquiring it or we should already have it first before we apply with a recruiter?

I heard they were recruiting Filipinos before in Subic when the US base there was still operating.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
I have a question, can a Filipino citizen apply through recruiters here in the Philippines even without a green card? or help us in acquiring it or we should already have it first before we apply with a recruiter?

I heard they were recruiting Filipinos before in Subic when the US base there was still operating.

There was a scheme a few years ago but you had to be in the US with a valid visa and I think requirements of 2 years residency. Not sure if they are still running the scheme but was only for certain professions

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