What are my options for entering NG as an ADN?

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Specializes in Med-Surge Tele, Clinical Informatics.

Hi all!

I have been trying to read threads here so I'm not redundant in my questions, but it just gets more confusing and with things changing constantly, I don't want to take advice from a thread that is 2 years old.

Anyway, background on me first: I am 34, live in CT, have 2 kids and am working as an RN. I have my ADN, but have a BS in another field. I am choosing NG because of my kids and career. I am not looking for advice on if I should, but more about my options if I choose to do it.

I will tell you what I have learned so far from my research. If I am wrong, PLEASE correct me!

I can enter two different ways:

Enlist and go through Basic Training. This is the long route, but will provide a great base for what I need to know about the military and will garner more respect once I finish Officer Training.

OR

Commission as an officer and skip basic.

If I am right with the above, here are my next questions:

As an ADN, once commissioned, I will only be a 1st Lt until I get my BSN or MSN. Right or wrong?

Do I still get to pick which MOS, such as Air Guard?

How does TriCare work? i thought I read something about only being eligible if you are AD.

Is there still SLRP going on? Is this affected by the state I live in and which track I choose to become an officer?

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Enlist and go through Basic Training. This is the long route, but will provide a great base for what I need to know about the military and will garner more respect once I finish Officer Training.

Enlist as what? If you enlist, it will not be as a nurse. I'm pretty sure you know that already, but I just wanted to be sure. If you enlist, I'm not sure there is a guarantee you'll commission later as a nurse. I would explore the commissioning aspect. You will learn what you need to learn about the military without going through BCT.

I do believe you are correct about the promotion potential being limited until you have a BSN.

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Specializes in Med-Surge Tele, Clinical Informatics.

Sorry...I'm trying to learn the difference as to what is what, which is why I'm here. I feel like I keep seeing conflicting information.

Yes, I want to commission as a 2LT. Period.

I also was told by someone recently that (at least right now) there is not much difference between the NG and the Reserves. They drill the same and are deploying at about the same rate. If this is true, I may rethink and go Reserves since it seems as though funding and opportunity for advancement is greater in the Reserves. Do you feel there is any truth to this?

I feel like I need to speak to an AMEDD recruiter, but I have heard many horror stories about recruiters not being honest...

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

I am pretty sure that you need a BSN for the Reserves. This is a change from a couple of years ago; I think the NG is the only one that will let ADN-prepared RNs commission. Yep ... Nurse Corps Officer (66) | GoArmy.com -- need to have a BSN, just found that. I guess that narrows it down a bit! Sorry, I'm active duty, so my knowledge of Reserves vs. NG is pretty limited.

Your best bet really is to speak to a recruiter. Yes, there are horror stories, but there are excellent recruiters out there. They are the ones with the best information for you. Speaking to them doesn't obligate you to anything! If anything sounds fishy, ask for clarification.

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Specializes in Med-Surge Tele, Clinical Informatics.

I was pretty sure the Reserves only took BSNs, but someone else said otherwise...I think what makes finding accurate info hard is that they keep changing things. I want to say someone also said they used to take ADNs as long as they had a Bachelor's in another field. If they ever did, they don't anymore!

Anyway...thanks.

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

OK, the Air Guard is not an MOS, it is the Air Force. Your options are army reserves or national guard (army). Or the Air Guard (Air Force guard), or Air Force reserve. The main difference is that the Guard (both army and air) have dual missions; national defense, and state support. In the guard you may be activated by the President or the Governor, the reserves only answer to the President. However, recent law allows the reserves to be used in CONUS as well. The Air Force has much shorter deployments which was a big factor for me.

Anyone in the military qualifies for Tricare, and it is awesome.

I commissioned two years ago with an ASN and a bachelors in something else. If that is still possible, a recruiter would know (make sure you deal with a recruiter who works with a medical unit). You've got an air base north of Hartford, find out the medical unit there and call them directly. They can direct you to a recruiter whom they work with.

I have since gotten my MSN and I believe that is needed to advance to Capt (not entirely sure), which I just achieved. Your rank will be determined by how many years of nursing experience you have (at least Air Force). If you have less than 5 you will probably come in as a 2LT. Forget about enlisting, you won't work as a nurse and is a just waste of time unless you really want to be a mechanic or something. Sure prior enlisted have more experience, but it hasn't made a whit of difference to me.

BTW Excelsior offers a MSN and you don't need the BSN first, just a bachelors. They are cheap too, and a very good program. Good luck.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
I have since gotten my MSN and I believe that is needed to advance to Capt (not entirely sure), which I just achieved.

Hey, congrats!! :)

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