Want to join the AF/Navy as a nurse with a unique situation...

bleemme · May 30, 2011

Hello there Kababayan,

To enter any branch of service as a registered nurse, you need to be an American citizen. You also need to have graduated from an NLNAC or CCNE accredited program with a BSN degree or above. My suggestion to you is, 1.) become a US citizen as soon as possible and 2.) get a master's degree that is NLNAC or CCNE accredited here in the States. Then, you can apply!

Best of luck to you.

Bleemme

Trauma Columnist · May 30, 2011

Just want to point out that with the economy so tough at this time, military service is not a sure thing anymore. You might want to look thru some threads as few new grads are being picked up for the military.

CRF250Xpert · May 30, 2011

If you do go in straight from school and get NTP, you aren't going critical care. That is a whole other animal and that's not what we teach new grads. Grad, become a citizen (you need a secret clearance) and work at least a year in your local ICU as a new grad. If they train you and you have that year of ICU experience, your recruiter will have a MUCH easier time getting you in. As mentioned above, be careful for what you wish. i am in the dim twilight of my service so I'm bullet proof, but kids these days are getting booted out left and right. What happens when (if) all 3 wars wind down? RIF is the answer and you'll be kicked out.

phil_to_us_rn · May 30, 2011

Hello there Kababayan,
To enter any branch of service as a registered nurse, you need to be an American citizen. You also need to have graduated from an NLNAC or CCNE accredited program with a BSN degree or above. My suggestion to you is, 1.) become a US citizen as soon as possible and 2.) get a master's degree that is NLNAC or CCNE accredited here in the States. Then, you can apply!
Best of luck to you.
Bleemme

Thanks for the reply kababayan! My dad said that my school is considered accredited since it is recognized by the California Board of Nursing and we can get a license. Isn't that the case?

phil_to_us_rn · May 30, 2011

Just want to point out that with the economy so tough at this time, military service is not a sure thing anymore. You might want to look thru some threads as few new grads are being picked up for the military.

Thanks for the concern. I am aware of the issue, but weighing the current economy and the lack of nurses, I get confused as to what the trend would be in the military.

phil_to_us_rn · May 30, 2011

If you do go in straight from school and get NTP, you aren't going critical care. That is a whole other animal and that's not what we teach new grads. Grad, become a citizen (you need a secret clearance) and work at least a year in your local ICU as a new grad. If they train you and you have that year of ICU experience, your recruiter will have a MUCH easier time getting you in. As mentioned above, be careful for what you wish. i am in the dim twilight of my service so I'm bullet proof, but kids these days are getting booted out left and right. What happens when (if) all 3 wars wind down? RIF is the answer and you'll be kicked out.

hi! thanks for your reply. just wanted to clarify what you mean by 'secret clearance'?

phil_to_us_rn · May 30, 2011

hello there kababayan,
to enter any branch of service as a registered nurse, you need to be an american citizen. you also need to have graduated from an nlnac or ccne accredited program with a bsn degree or above. my suggestion to you is, 1.) become a us citizen as soon as possible and 2.) get a master's degree that is nlnac or ccne accredited here in the states. then, you can apply!
best of luck to you.
bleemme

do you mean that if i get my msn, they would consider me even if i got my bsn from a foreign school?

bleemme · May 30, 2011

Thanks for the reply kababayan! My dad said that my school is considered accredited since it is recognized by the California Board of Nursing and we can get a license. Isn't that the case?

No, that is not the case. Your school needs to be accredited by either NLNAC or CCNE, in order to be considered for a registered nurse position in the military. To find a list of accredited program see the link below:

NLNAC:

http://www.nlnac.org/Forms/directory_search.htm

CCNE:

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/accreditation/accprogs.htm

In your case, if it is your ultimate goal to become an Air Force or a Navy Nurse, you will need to pursue a master's program that is accredited by either of those 2 accrediting institutions to be considered and be a citizen as well.

Best wishes!

bleemme

Editorial Team / Moderator · May 30, 2011

Thanks for the concern. I am aware of the issue, but weighing the current economy and the lack of nurses, I get confused as to what the trend would be in the military.

It is very, very tough to get in right now. Any branch. Good luck!! :)

phil_to_us_rn · May 30, 2011

no, that is not the case. your school needs to be accredited by either nlnac or ccne, in order to be considered for a registered nurse position in the military. to find a list of accredited program see the link below:
nlnac:
http://www.nlnac.org/forms/directory_search.htm
ccne:
http://www.aacn.nche.edu/accreditation/accprogs.htm
in your case, if it is your ultimate goal to become an air force or a navy nurse, you will need to pursue a master's program that is accredited by either of those 2 accrediting institutions to be considered and be a citizen as well.
best wishes!
bleemme

if i get a graduate certificate instead of msn from an accredited school like asu, will i then be considered? i'm looking for a program that only lasts for a year so that i could start practicing as a nurse in the af/navy as soon as possible. also, if i still choose to enter the armed forces and they don't consider my degree until i get my msn, what work will i do?

bleemme · May 31, 2011

if i get a graduate certificate instead of msn from an accredited school like asu, will i then be considered? i'm looking for a program that only lasts for a year so that i could start practicing as a nurse in the af/navy as soon as possible. also, if i still choose to enter the armed forces and they don't consider my degree until i get my msn, what work will i do?

my gut instinct tells me that a graduate certificate will not work, but it is probably best to have a recruiter from either of the branches you are considering confirm. i do know that, at least for the navy, an "advance practice degree" (e.g. msns) from a ccne or nlnac accredited agencies will work. my advice to you is, after completing bsn begin practicing as a nurse in the states. as you said, both of your parents are nurses. i'm sure that they can hook you up with a job in an acute setting. the military values experience and *may* give you an edge over other applicants. then begin work on your msn. another option is to join the reserves (which is the military but part time) - not sure how that works though so really, i encourage you to speak to an medical officer recruiter as they will know the best path for you.

all the best,

bleemme