Navy or AF Nursing Help

[Winter16]

This semester I apply to my universities nursing school. I have been looking a great deal into military nursing the past few years. I had originally wanted to look into joining the Air Force as an RN once I graduate, however, my university does not have any helpful programs for me (such as AFROTC or anything as such) that could aid in my goal.

Lately I have been looking into the Navy as well, and my nursing department does have the Navy Nurse Candidate Program advertised and I have been looking into that. Since then I've been torn between the two.

But, I suppose the main thing I am asking for is what should I do to help increase my chanced of being accepted in either when the time comes? I am currently a pre-nursing student, applying to a bachelors of nursing program this semester. I have a minor in psychology. I have been looking into possibly going through an EMT program over the summer to have experience with emergency situations and medical attention and my university offers a paramedic technology minor that would qualify me to get certified as a paramedic as well. I'm not sure if this would help any but I suppose I would do anything if it will help me reach my goals. I know one of the biggest things is making sure my GPA is as high as I can get it, but what else should I be doing for the next three years? I've heard community service work helps, I'm part of a sorority on my campus would potentially having a leadership role in that help (such as president?). My university also as a Student Nurses Association Chapter would being a part of this help?

Thank you to anyone who answers, I appreciate the time taken to help me.

[jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA]

The best thing you can do is to pick a couple of activities that you are really passionate about and dive into them. Get leadership positions and run programs. More important than the leadership position is what you do once in that position. If you are the president, what fundraisers or charity events did you run and what was your leadership style? These are interview topics and essay topics that will be in your application.

ROTC is a good idea if you can do it. A lot of people do ROTC at nearby universities. If you do 2 years, than you are guaranteed (at least in the AF) active duty as a nurse even as a non-scholarship student.