Navy nurse or Air Force nurse? Please Help!

Specialties Government

Published

Hello!

a little background before i ask the real questions, lol. My mom is a single-mother, and i am a twin. My twin and i are currently going to a community college because money is really tight and she can barely afford this. I really want to get my BSN, but obviously money is a issue and i cant afford to go to a university to do so. I also really want to go into the service, Navy or Air Force. idk yet. So, what would be the best way of getting my BSN? Doing the NROTC program (can you explain a little what this is)?

Nurse candidate program? (how much do they actually pay for your schooling?

Student loan repayment?

Any Military nurses out there!? How did you do it? Please explain the steps and ANY extra information would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks so much!

Love, Kota

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Specializes in None.

ventiicelatte

You should try posting this in the military section. There are nurses there from all branches.

https://allnurses.com/government-military-nursing/

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Hi and welcome to the site

I have moved this to the Government and Military forum where hopefully you will get the answers you seek

Good luck

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

I'm still looking at the military option myself, so I can't really help in trying to decide which branch to join. However, I graduate from nursing school in May so I can at least give you some ideas as far as paying for school.

First off, I understand the whole not being able to afford school thing. Thats why I am getting my Associates in Nursing first. I live in Arizona and we have a large selection of associate programs that cost only $5,000 for the whole program. You graduate and are able to take the NCLEX just like those getting their BSN. After you pass your NCLEX you are an RN and can work and make a decent amount that should make it easier to afford the more expensive BSN programs. There are a lot of very good universities that offer their program entirely online, which makes working full time and getting your BSN a whole lot easier. ASU does this and they have students all over the country.

Also once you have your associates there are a lot of hospitals that will pay your tuition for a bachelors. The RN-BSN program is generally 12-16 months and so it doesn't add a whole lot of time to your schooling since most straight BSN programs are 4 years. The cost of nursing school can usually be entirely covered by loans and grants, and with an associates being less expensive (most of the time), it leaves you with less debt in the end. Just move on to a bridge program to get your bachelors and your good to go.

Talk to your recruiters from the branches your interested in and they can explain more about what the military can do to help cover cost and get you through school...

Best of luck!

Kati

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Thanks everyone for your great advice! Much appreciated!

Love Kota.

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Specializes in pediatrics.

I believe you can join the Army with your RN- ADN, but you can't make Captain until you get your BSN. The AF I know for sure won't accept you without your RN-BSN, as well as the Navy, I believe.

If you pursue the Navy track, they do offer scholarships to help cover the costs for your BSN while in nursing school. But either way, it's my advice to join after getting your education- don't enlist! If you enlist, it'll take MUCH longer to finish your BSN.

But good luck in whichever branch you choose. :)

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Thanks Annabeap!

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