Military

NurseEmmy · Mar 27, 2016

Hello,
I am currently a freshman at Indiana University and have not yet made it into the nursing program here. I am planning on joining the military after college but I am not planning on being a nurse in the military. I was wondering if I would be able to be a nurse after not using the degree for up to 10 years. Is there a time frame that you have to use your degree?
Thank You!

Why not do things the other way around? You can use your GI bill to pay for classes then. Not working for a nurse for 10 years is going to put you way behind in current treatments, medications, and technology. I don't think it'll be easy to find a job.

If you insist on doing your nursing classes now, use your education in the military. Then you'll have a much easier time finding a job once you're out.

143Aly_K · Mar 27, 2016

Finish your BSN because you'll be able to comission as an officer and be a nurse in the military. As far as your GI bill is concerned, you'll then be able to use it towards your masters degree which is more expensive.

If you plan on doing it the other way and enlist on active duty and have them pay for your schooling, it would take longer to finish your degree due to the military being a 24/7 operation and it's needs always taking precedence over your own. I could get into detail but that's the summarized version of it. If as a guardsmen/reservist.. You'd prob be able to finish your degree as planned.

Either way, from my own personal experience. if I had to do it again.. I would have gotten my BSN first and then commission to become an officer. That way, I would've been able to save my GI Bill for continuing education or to transfer to my spouse or child.

Hoosier_RN, MSN · Apr 2, 2016

But remember, getting into nursing in the military is very competitive as well. Talk to a recruiter. BUT, you do NOT want to leave your nursing license sit for very long without experience. You lose skills making it hard to get a job. Good luck!