Military nurse

[michaelaellie]

I'm 21 and graduating with my associates in nursing this May and I'm so committed to becoming a nurse in the military (of course after I get my BSN). I originally thought Air Force, however, through research I'm piecing together that it looks extremely competitive to become a nurse in any branch of the military. In fact, it looks near impossible to get any sort of job in nursing from some of the threads I've seen on AllNurses.

I'm smart and reliable and have a really good head on my shoulders, but it sounds like its just a 1 in a million shot of me getting the required ICU experience and then actually getting accepted into the Air Force (or Navy or Army). I'm basing major life decisions on this dream (e.g. where I get my BSN, if I work part time or full time in the process, staying at a hospital I hate just for the experience, attempting to be a student athlete at the same time) and it's almost to the point where I'm considering giving it all up to spare myself the disappointment sacrificing so much and not getting it.

Am I correct in thinking that it's like the hardest thing ever to get into the Air Force as a nurse? Is there anything I can do while I get my BSN to make my application look more attractive?

I'm a pretty good runner. I ran in college for a year before transferring to my community college that doesn't have track or XC for the ADN program. I'm now talking to some schools with RN to BSN that would even offer me an athletic scholarship. Would the military be impressed by a nurse who is physically fit or would it hurt me more for limiting work experience I could be getting? I'm paying for school myself so it would help me a ton. I feel like ROTC scholarships are impossible to get and also not available for RN to BSN.

Sorry if I didn't use the proper military lingo, I research this all the time and still have no idea.

[Ladybug993]

Was your husband a health professionals recruiter? That is very different than just a regular recruiting station- I just got out of the Air Force and like I previously stated, she will have a difficult time at current joining the AF; not impossible, but very difficult.

My husband wasn't a recruiter... He was the 1st SGt and yes it's a difference between amed...regular recruiting... Which he has done both

[USMCRN2015]

But the 1stSgt, unless directly overseeing health care recruiting, doesn't have much to do with it. Not trying to be disrespectful, as I stated previously I was a SNCO as well, but from my experience and research healthcare recruiters have their own set of rules and goals, and don't have much to do with regular active duty/reserves. They have their own quotas that normally Active/Reserve green side personnel don't have much to do with.

[Ladybug993]

But the 1stSgt, unless directly overseeing health care recruiting, doesn't have much to do with it.

The question was is he a recruiter... No ... He was a 1st SGt over recruiters.. Which he fiscal no longer able to write contracts ... Army

[SexyNurse2b79]

This is true. My husband is the Operations Manager for the Navy. I have the desire to join the Navy as a nurse. He told me I would have to contact a health recruiter. They deal with recruiting differently.

[Ladybug993]

But the 1stSgt, unless directly overseeing health care recruiting, doesn't have much to do with it. Not trying to be disrespectful, as I stated previously I was a SNCO as well, but from my experience and research healthcare recruiters have their own set of rules and goals, and don't have much to do with regular active duty/reserves. They have their own quotas that normally Active/Reserve green side personnel don't have much to do with.

Health care recruiting is called AMED ... I just think to say something is impossible is just not true in terms of ADN RN going into a nursing job

[USMCRN2015]

Health care recruiting is called AMED ... I just think to say something is impossible is just not true in terms of ADN RN going into a nursing job

Not impossible, but no branch are accepting ADNs, as Bachelor's are required for commissioning.

[Ladybug993]

Not impossible, but no branch are accepting ADNs, as Bachelor's are required for commissioning.

Not impossible

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

You can become a nurse in the military my husband just retired Army and he was in recruiting battalion for 14 years ... Very possible

Right now the Army is not taking direct commission nurses without a couple years of experience.

[Ladybug993]

Right now the Army is not taking direct commission nurses without a couple years of experience.

I know this

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

Health care recruiting is called AMED ... I just think to say something is impossible is just not true in terms of ADN RN going into a nursing job

In terms of an ADN RN commissioning as a nurse into the military, that is NOT possible. Army Nurse Corps RNs must have a BSN to commission, even into the Reserves and National Guard. If an ADN RN joins the Army, it wouldn't be as a nurse. Any AMEDD recruiter can confirm this.

On the civilian side, yes — ADNs are highly employable. But not serving as nurses in the military.

[Ladybug993]

In terms of an ADN RN commissioning as a nurse into the military, that is NOT possible. Army Nurse Corps RNs must have a BSN to commission, even into the Reserves and National Guard. If an ADN RN joins the Army, it wouldn't be as a nurse. Any AMEDD recruiter can confirm this.

On the civilian side, yes — ADNs are highly employable. But not serving as nurses in the military.

Okay thanks

[akkilbar]

I'm also looking into going the Army or the Air Force as a nurse practitioner (2 years of np experience). I am also prior AF with 6 yrs active duty time. Any insight in regards to differences or if anyone has personal experience with/ insight? It would also help tremendously with loan repayment too.

Thank you :)