Prior Enlisted thinking about joining army nurse corp

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Dec 13, 2011

I am prior service army enlisted. I hated it I was a private doing a stupid job. I am also female which I think has a lot to do with it too. I did a hard labor job and that just isn't woman's work. I have no problem breaking a sweat, I just don't want to be doing back breaking labor all day in the hot sun. We did a lot of pulling weeds, PMCSing humvees and what not. Lots and Lots of running which I regularly puked. I also didn't like being treated like an ahole dirtbag 24/7, I was a really good soldier, I never got in trouble, always did what I was told, and passed my PT tests. I'm getting my BSN and I'm thinking about joining as an officer. With my time in service within 2 years I'll be making about 66k which as a civilian nurse would be closer to 44k. And in the army I'd have more financial growth. I'm just wondering what the life of an army nurse is like. What does an average day look like, and how do you feel about your job? Also I'm seeing things about it being competitive to get into the military/army..... will being prior enlisted get me any bonus points, and is there any possible way to join without having 2 years civilian experience, because that kind of changes things!
Thanks!

Even thou officers do have it easier then enlisted you will work some long hard hours as a nurse doing BS jobs at time.

With that being said if the reason that you what to come back on active duty is the money you are setting yourself up for failure, you do not become a military nurse just for the money. Remember you get OT, holiday pay etc. as a civilian but not military. As far as what a average day is like it depends on where you work at. Each floor/clinic/hospital have different routines.

Since the Army has to many nurses at the present time I would be suprised if the 2 years of experience would be waived for a direct commission. About the only way that I could see the 2 years experience waived is if you are ROTC, AECP, etc. You need to speak with a Health Care Recruiter to find out what opportunities there are for you once you graduate.

ahowe07 · Dec 13, 2011

Yea that is what I was figuring that I'd have to go to ROTC route to get a timely commission. I've contacted the local university ROTC just waiting for a reply.

rustynail · Dec 13, 2011

I am presently an ROTC RN GBR (Gold Bar) recruiter. ROTC these days is the most solid path to becoming an Army Nurse if you don't have prior experience. ANCP is probably second best but to qualify for ANCP you will have furnish a proof that you don't qualify for ROTC scholarship (age, no nursing ROTC program at your school, etc).

That being said, for ROTC route, you will have to have at least two years left to get your BSN. For ANCP it is between 6 months and 24 months. 2 years (24 months) is the sweet spot where you should be able to decide for yourself.

I was in your shoes when I had to do 200 push-ups in a public square in Afghanistan for rightfully questioning my NCOIC. That's when I decided to become an officer, so such unjustice would not have to repeat itself.

Working full-time, ROTC, Guard, full-time nursing school, family, kids, it can all be done at the same time as long as you have clear motivation. I did. I just thought of that time in Afghanistan :)

LLLovely, BSN, RN · Dec 14, 2011

I agree with jeck. In many ways, I had more freedom when I was enlisted. As an officer in another branch before becoming a nurse, I had more autonomy and WAY more time off.

Being an Army nurse will test your patience as much or more than any other job in the Army. It's different, but not easier, officer or not. Think carefully.

CRF250Xpert · Dec 15, 2011

To answer your question on credit - the 2 years of prior service only going to get you 2 years of prior service. No O-1E pay until you break 4 years enlisted.