Need some advice about military options

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I am currently going for my ADN/ASN, I apply next March. I am highly intrested in joining the military after school. I also plan to go for my BSN afterwards. I was wondering if the Army or Army Reserves lets people join with an associates degree. I read that the National Guard does, does anyone know that's actually correct?

I was originally going to try and go for my BSN and try and do ROTC. Then after ROTC, be Active Duty in the Army and be an officer. However, the rotc scholorship was something that I was relying on but I was told that they are highly competitive due to the government being broke.

Here are some options that I came up with:

1. Join National Guard first. Do basic and ait then enroll at a university and do SMP/ROTC. Smp from what I know is where, you serve in the Guard or Reserves while attending college and you do ROTC. Through that route I can still end up with a BSN and serve in the military.

2. Apply and hopefully get accepted into the ADN program. Finish the program and then enlist; however, from what I've heard not many branches accept ADN/ASN nurses the want BSN nurses. If I am able to enlist then I will be able to go back to school with the help of the military.

Does anyone have any advice or tips about either options or even some options that they can include?

I just want to make the best decesion possible.

Thanks for any help....:o

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Do not enlist as an RN -- you will not work as an RN if you enlist. You need a BSN for the Army (active), and I believe they are not recruiting ADNs in the other components any longer either. Have you spoken with an AMEDD (healthcare) recruiter yet?

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LunahRN: I haven't yet spoken to a healthcare recruiter. I was trying to figure out what I needed to do.

My ADN is looking at taking me four years(I've been at school almost 2yrs and the program is 2 more years.) And my BSN will take me like 3.5yr-4yrs.

I am only 20, but I really would like to get started with something.

I have been highly considering my option 1. Join national guard > basic and ait> back to school for bsn> and do rotc/smp and be active army afterwards.

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Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.

I have to agree with Luna. If your goal is to be an RN and be in the military. You need the BSN. It is great that you feel you need to get something start cuz you are already 20 and need to get moving!! You have plenty of time. I would even go so far as to tell you to skip the ADN. Your prereques should be transferable to a university and get into a BSN program which should take you 5 semesters to complete. It'll cost more upfront, but the payoff is greater if military is your goal. See financial aid office and apply for every scholarship/grant.

Good luck

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20yrs old? Join the Guard and do the SMP thing. You are correct, you need to get things moving and start something.. Why wait for your BSN? You are already 2years behind your peers that enlisted out of HS. You will take advantage of both State & Federal tutition this way. Think about commissioning with 4-6 years Prior Service under your belt. You would be 1 squared away 2Lt--at age 24!

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

I agree with Midinpix and look into going straight for your BSN unless you are unable. Because if you are in a location like I was when I went to nursing school and the ADN program was right down the street and the BSN was 70+ miles each way. If that is the case look into getting a apartment, living on campus etc. Time is not running out on you, I did not earn my ADN until I was 35 and my BSN until I was 46. I do not believe that the Army Reserves is taking any ADN's at this point. They are the only reserve serive that did. As far as ROTC and reserves/NG I do not know if you can do both. As Lunah stated you need to speak with a health care recruiter. If you do join the reserves/ng take advantage of the tution assistance that is out there. A 2LT with 4 years vs a 2LT with

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Talk to both AMEDD and Enlisted Recruiters but Option1 sounds the best.. Especially at age 20--(Most people wish they started earlier). You could use the GI Bill to "pay as you go" and get your BSN debt-free. From there you would "Direct Commission" as an RN.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Time is not running out on you, I did not earn my ADN until I was 35 and my BSN until I was 46.

Yep ... for me, ADN at 36 and BSN at 38. Commissioned at 38 and turned 39 a few days after reporting to my first duty station a couple of weeks ago. :D I started by getting my ADN in 2008, then did an RN-BSN completion program while I worked as an RN. I was fortunate enough to be selected for direct commission this year, one of a small-ish number from a very large applicant pool. It was (and still is) very competitive.

I understand your urge to get something started, but you are wise to consider many avenues. If your ultimate goal is the BSN and the Army Nurse Corps, an AMEDD recruiter can give you an idea of how best to get there. For example, in the currently climate, direct commissions into the Army Nurse Corps are becoming more rare; it's a numbers things right now. That could change in the future, of course. Best of luck, and please keep us posted!

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