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Discussion

Which service to join???

I am trying to decide which service I want to join. Right now I have an ADN and I work on a surgical floor at a VA hospital, (working here since 6/08). I have 8 years prior service enlisted in the army reserves. I am planning on going back to school RN-BSN program that will take me a year (I already have a BA). I was already to submit my packet for the army reserves, but now I am thinking that I would like to go active. And if I am opening up the door to go active I might as well look at the different services. So I have a few questions.

1. Do any of the services offer programs so that I can join while I am going to school? And if they do what is the service requirement that goes along with them.

2. I am interested in Public Health nursing, is that only with the Army?

3. Do you mostly work 12s, 14-15 days/month? When starting out do you usuallly work on a hopital floor or can you work in a clinic? And if on a floor, do you float to other floors alot or is that only in the civilian world?

4. What is the time for progression of rank? I'm assuming I would go in as an O-1E.

5. How competative is it to get into the nursing corps? And about how long does the process take?

6. 1st duty station? Does the Army get a wish list? What is the amount of time you spend there?

7. Do you have to live on base or can you live off of it?

I appreciate everyones help on this and any other information you want to give me.

Featured Replies

Hunter,

1. Army and Navy both have programs you can join for the last 24 months of your BSN program - as of now both had a 10k bonus plus 1k per month stipend. The AR has a ADN to BSN program that offers 1,600 bonus per month... perhaps look at doing that with the possibility of AR active and then regular army down the road....

2. I'm not good on the public health, specialties are all on the service websites.

3. I'm only aware of working hours via info on this bored... public health is likely somewhat different but yes standard RN is 12 hours shifts with rotations between night and day..

4. It varies slightly..but O1 to O2 occurs after 18 months, then to O3 around 38 months total commissioned time... those promotions are more or less automatic.. yes you would be an O1E.

6. Wish list is given - officers first assignment is normally about 4 years - then you normally attend your captains career course and then get PCS'd elsewhere.

7. As an officer you can choose to live off post or put in for housing.. i don't know any officers that were single who live on post.. but those with families chose to - and some chose not to - you have the option.

5. to find out call or email a recruiter. As long as you are a BSN and are close to PT fit and Body fat%, then there should be no issues.

As far as which service,

Army= Opportunity (Automatic Promotion through Junior Officer Grades every 18 months)

Air Force= Waiting (much more competitive and longer for promotion from what a colleague shared with me why he was enlisted in the AF and commissioned with the Army)

Navy= Marines (I have no other knowledge on this side of the water)

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