Military Nursing

[Lexiock]

Hello! I am looking at joining the military to do my nursing. I really like the Navy and Marines so far, however my whole family is all for the Airforce so that is an option too :) I was wondering if any of you have experience working as a nurse for any of these branches and what you liked/ didn't like. Should I join now or after I graduate? I am currently 18 and will be about 22 when I graduate by the looks of things, I would love to get married and have a family, will this have a negative impact on that? What branch is best when helping with student loans? Thanks so much!

[Seaofclouds, BSN, RN]

You will want to speak with an AMEDD recruiter. As far as I know, there are not any programs that will guarantee you can join the military as something else and then train to be a RN. In order to join the military once you are a RN, it is very competitive. The military is downsizing in most areas. You will need a BSN in order to join the military as a RN. Good luck!

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Moved to Government/Military nursing

[jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA]

You have 2 realistic options: join ROTC for the AF, Navy, or Army (marines don't have a nurse corps) or finish a BSN and then direct commission (generally you'll need a few years of experience but not always).

The 'enlist now and commission later' idea is not a good one; it will take far longer than the previously mentioned options.

The loan repayment programs are few and far between, but they vary year to year & branch to branch. Who knows what the situation will be like in 4 years.

[jeckrn, BSN, RN]

Depending on how you want to pay for college enlisting now, getting out and going to nursing school using the GI bill is a good option. There is no guarantee that you will be able to rejoin as an RN once you complete your nursing degree if you go this route. But this is a good option at your age.

[Lexiock]

Thank You for all of the responses! I appreciate the help :)