Military Nursing

Medic97 · Sep 30, 2009

Hi. I am currently a Medic in the Army and going to school to receive my BSN/RN. Whoever told you, that you would never deploy is lying to you... Don't believe them.

IcanHealYou · Sep 30, 2009

If I were to join now how would the process go? I'd have to go through boot camp and then start working?

EmergencyNrse · Sep 30, 2009

Hey, The Army came to speak to our class about nursing. They said we would never get deployed and we don't even go into training. However my friend is from the Navy and they actually have to enlist.

Well I'm glad you have some sense to question this...

Never Deploy??? How in the world could anyone possibly believe this statement? No! Never! False!

Nurses are used in many capacities throughout the world in different units.

As a nurse you will not serve in a Combat Arms Units like: Infantry, Artillery, Armor.

Perhaps that's what he/she was telling you. BUT... Combat Service Support or Service Support roles Abso-freakin-lutely!

Nurses can find themselves in many combat zones providing support in a Forward Area Surgical Team (FAST), Of course who hasn't seen MASH, then there are many Field Hospitals that will DEPLOY where they are needed.

I'm not going to say it's not rewarding. The pay isn't that great but the benefits like student loan repayment programs are. (Or they use to be).

If you have any motivation in moving in that direction please...pleeeeeezzze arm yourself with knowledge before you buy into any of that garbage that recruiter was feeding you and end up where you never thought you would be.

IcanHealYou · Sep 30, 2009

Oh yes, I guess I was confused about deployment and seeing combat. They said we would never see combat and they said we wouldn't have to go through boot camp. Now my friend from the Navy said that I will have to go through training. However she was already enlisted prior to starting school. So it may be different.

EmergencyNrse · Oct 1, 2009

As a BSN- RN you would not be come enlisted in the Army but be commissioned as an officer. You would need to take an officer basic course which I understand is a "military-for-dummies" course at a Hilton or Sheraton hotel somewhere in San Antonio, Tx...lol

You would join the Army Nursing Corps and be assigned 2nd lieutenant to a unit depending on needs of the Army at the time you enter service.

If they're asking you to enlist somewhere don't just say no but HELL NO!

JomoNurse · Oct 1, 2009

I would LOVE to be a nurse to all those gorgeous soldiers, just as long as I wouldn't be near any combat zones. Yummy, yummy, yummy.

Hoss · Oct 1, 2009

All the branches of the military have essentially the same requirements for their Nurse Officer Corps. You must have a bachelors degree from an ACCREDITED US University/College. You must also be a registered nurse, or be eligible for NCLEX and pass the license exam. Upon acceptance and entrance to the Corps of Nursing, you will be sworn in as an officer, usually 2nd Lt (Army, AirForce, or Ensign, Navy). However, if you are a practicing nurse with experience, you may enter at a higher rank than 2ndLT or Ensign, that will be determined by your years of experience.

If you are CURRENTLY in college working toward a bachelors degree, then you may qualify for ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) and upon graduation become a commissioned officer.

If you are not a college degreed graduate, and/or you have green card immigration status, then you can ENLIST and be assigned in a medical TECHNICAL specialty, from Corpsman (Navy) to Medic (Army/Airforce), or any of many technical medical slots such as dental, operating room, technicians. As an enlisted person, you will attend basic training (boot camp) and then be trained in your specialty (MOS=Military Ocupation Specialty).

In summary:

OFFICER CORPS must have bachelors degree or higher. It also quite common that a Nurse officer may out rank their doctors!

ENLISTED must be high school graduate and / or some college, but not neccessary to have a 4 year degree.

In ALL instances, you are eligible to receive additional university training while on the job! You can pursue your BSN while enlisted, or pursue MSN degree's if you are a BSN in the Officer Corps.

http://www.nursingscholarship.us/AirForceNavyNursingScholarship.html

http://www.navy.com/careers/healthcare/nursing/

http://www.goarmy.com/amedd/nurse/index.jsp

http://afrotc.com/admissions/professional-programs/nursing/

Be advised that as nurses or corpsmen in the Navy, you may be able to serve with the Fleet Marine Force (FMF) and as any combat vet will tell you, no braver person exists than a corpsman serving in combat with their Marines. I am sure there are equally as many Medics in the Army/Airforce who will be lauded by their fellow soldiers/airmen. You may be deployed anywhere in the world where your country needs you to serve. Keep that in mind, please, but no greater reward can be found than to serve with your fellow warriors.

Semper Fi!!

Hoss

Florencebyondthepale · Oct 1, 2009

All the branches of the military have essentially the same requirements for their Nurse Officer Corps. You must have a bachelors degree from an ACCREDITED US University/College. You must also be a registered nurse, or be eligible for NCLEX and pass the license exam

Do you have to have your bachelor's degree in nursing or will they accept a degree in another specialty for the army nurse corps? I have my bachelor's in english and an associate's degree for nursing.

EmergencyNrse · Oct 1, 2009

If you are wanting to serve in the military:

You will need a BSN nursing for active duty Army Nursing Corps. With an associate degree you qualify to begin serving in the National Guard or Army Reserve. Promotion and upward mobility will be contingent upon enrolling and completing your BSN.

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Oct 1, 2009

do you have to have your bachelor's degree in nursing or will they accept a degree in another specialty for the army nurse corps? i have my bachelor's in english and an associate's degree for nursing.

you can serve in the army reserves with an adn; it does not matter if you have a ba or bs in something else. if you want to progress in the army reserves or serve in the regular army (i have no idea if they are still calling it this) you must have a bsn. if you or any one else wants more information, go to the government and military nursing forum. https://allnurses.com/government-military-nursing/. there are many commissioned officers on that forum. gl!

Spritenurse1210, BSN, RN · Oct 1, 2009

As a nurse in the military, you wouldn't be fighting alongside the infantrymen, BUT you will see combat. Field hospitals, and MASH units are ambushed all the time. Just ask all the military nurses from WWII and Vietnam.